Page 2 September 20, 2018
Entertainment
Two Steps Forward
by Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist
Reviewed by Kristina Kora-Beckman,
Librarian I, El Segundo Public Library
Fiction novelists and real-life partners
Graeme Simsion (The Rosie Project) and
Anne Buist team up in this tale about two
strangers—Zoe and Martin—who embark on
following the famous Camino de Santiago
pilgrim route. Also known as The Chemin,
the ancient path winds through picaresque
countryside and quaint villages and every
year attracts thousands of walkers from
around the globe. Pilgrims walk for many
reasons: religion, self-discovery, business,
companionship and even romance.
For Zoe, an American artist, the journey
was a spur-of-the moment decision that she
hopes will bring her closure and direction
after her husband’s unexpected death. An
English engineer living abroad to escape
an acrimonious divorce, Martin embarks on
the journey to field-test a prototype cart he
designed in the hopes it will lead to future
business prospects.
Interspersed with logistics about the pilgrimage
such as finding shelter and food
and dealing with weather and terrain, I also
enjoyed the stories about the people Zoe and
Martin meet along the way, and seeing their
personal progression throughout the journey.
Simsion and Buist have walked the Camino
in real life, which lends credibility and richness
to the described details, from the shared
meals to the soul-searching that solitude and
physical activity can inspire.
To check out or browse Two Steps Forward,
please visit the library to apply for your free
library card. For more fall favorites, stop by
the Reference Desk, we’d love to hear what
you’re reading and share what we’re most
excited to read next! •
Check It Out
Two Steps Forward by Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist
Film Review
Kristina Kora-Beckman.
In Bel Canto, All You Need is Love
By Morgan Rojas
for www.cinemacy.com
Julianne Moore has played a scorned,
stone-cold intellectual in Maggie’s Plan and
a mother struggling with an early onset
Alzheimer’s diagnosis in Still Alice. In both
films, much like the rest in her extended
repertoire, Moore is the centerpiece of an
emotional catharsis and her performance
shapes the films into memorable works. This
may be why director Paul Weitz relied on
such a tried and true movie star to bring both
depth and drama to Bel Canto -- a thrilling
film adaptation based on the award-winning
novel by Ann Patchett about an opera singer
held hostage while performing abroad, and
the unexpected relationships she forms while
being held prisoner.
Wealthy Japanese businessman Katsumi
Hosokawa (Ken Watanabe) arrives in South
America to attend a party celebrating the
upcoming factory his company plans to
build in a nearby impoverished town. The
lavish party, which takes place in a beautiful
mansion, includes a full wait staff for the
dignitaries flown in from all over the world.
Katsumi doesn’t get caught up in these high
society details because he has his sights set
on the guest of honor: the world-renowned
opera singer Roxane Coss (Moore). However,
his opportunity of a lifetime to hear Roxanne
perform in such an intimate setting is cut
short when anti-government terrorists storm
the mansion and take everyone hostage,
demanding to swap the innocent group in
exchange for the country’s president.
Being held as political prisoners is a terrifying
reality for all involved, but Katsumi
does everything he can to make Roxane feel
safe. Despite the fact that this group of captives
speaks different languages and comes
from a variety of cultural backgrounds, the
hostages do their best to connect with each
other. Katsumi’s bond with Roxane grows
stronger by the day as she begins to let her
guard down and allow her vulnerabilities
to penetrate through her usually poised
exterior. Days pass by while negotiations
between the police and the rebels stall. Yet
inside the mansion, humanity begins to break
down barriers with rebels as they open up
to and form friendships with the hostages
and vice versa.
Ken Watanabe, better known as Katsumoto
in 2003’s The Last Samurai, is a
stoic presence on screen. His performance
is restrained and strong, yet his timing as to
when to show his vulnerable side is perfect.
Moore shines as Roxane Coss, with the only
caveat being the scenes of her singing. Her
voice is dubbed over by international opera
star Renée Fleming. Fleming’s vocal talent
is breathtakingly beautiful, but knowing
that her voice isn’t coming out of Moore’s
mouth can feel strange at times. Ultimately,
a suspension of disbelief is necessary here.
Bel Canto is a very tight-knit film, with
the majority of the story taking place in or
around the mansion. This gives the audience
a sense of the confinement the hostages
feel. At times, it can play a bit too overly
dramatic, but the message is loud and clear:
love is universal. Love and admiration for
others can cross language barriers, cultural
differences and distance. Now isn’t that
a beautiful thing to be reminded of every
now and then?
Bel Canto is not rated. 102 minutes. Now
playing at Laemmle Monica Film Center, On
Demand and iTunes September 21. •
Courtesy of Screen Media Films.
Morgan Rojas.
Women Business from front page
Yes, it’s 2018 and women have broken
through barriers in business, politics and sports.
Still, some people will call a business and ask
to speak with the owner. Then get a surprise
when she comes on the line. Herald Publisher
Heidi Maerker said it comes with the territory
in a male-dominated industry. “I get asked
where I work…and when I say the Herald, it’s
always assumed a reporter or office worker,” she
revealed. “Never management. One guy laughed
and said from now on, he’d start at the top.”
The South Bay Business Women’s Association
holds regular mixers and breakfast meetings for
learning and networking. Many of the women
interviewed for this story said they belong to
more than one chamber of commerce. Learn
more about SBBWA at their website, http://
www.sbbwa.com.
The U.S. Small Business Administration also
offers training and funding to help women start
companies. The SBA coordinates this assistance
through its district offices. Their services include
counseling, federal contracts and avenues to
obtain capital and credit for startups. The phone
number to the Glendale office is 818-552-3201,
or click on the SBA’s assistance page online
at sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/wbc for the
women’s business assistance tab. •
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Website contact: web@heraldpublications.com
For comments or announcements (weddings, engagements, obituaries)
Contributing Writers: Haleemon Anderson, Derrick Deane,TerriAnn Ferren, Greg McMullin, Duane Plank,
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