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June 10, 2008
Border Crossings
Spain, Grappling With Illegal Immigrants, Tries Forgiveness
By JASON DePARLE

MADRID — With the United States riven by calls to legalize millions of illegal immigrants, Americans might consider the possible effects by looking at southern Europe, where illegal immigration has abounded and so have forgiveness plans.

In the last two decades, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece have run at least 15 legalization programs, including a Spanish effort three years ago that was among the Continent’s largest. With little domestic opposition, Spain legalized nearly 600,000 of the African, Latin American and eastern European workers who helped power its economy and brought this once insular land the strengths and strains of diversity.

Immigrants say their prized work cards have brought higher wages, peace of mind and reunions of separated families. But critics say legalizations have attracted more illegal migrants — with spillover risks to nearby countries — and warn that an economic slowdown now puts Spain and its foreigners at odds.  Read more from the NYTimes.

I will be in Seville two weeks.

I was reluctant to see this movie in the theater when it first came out because it seemed like a kiddie movie.  After watching it on DVD, I can tell you right now that this movie is not for kids.  There is no happy ending in this fairy tale and it is too violent for children to watch.

Academy Award Winner Pan's Labyrinth stars the sexy mama from Y Tu Mama Tambien, Maribel Verdu.  She is not too sexy in this movie by the way, but that is not the point!  The protagonist in this movie is played by 11-year old Ivana Baquero--Ofelia in the movie.  I gotta tell you.  This girl can act.  She made me weep! 

Set during Franco's regime in 1940's Spain, Pan shows the magic and wonder of childhood innocence and conveys the power of love, sacrifice and courage.

http://www.panslabyrinth.com/

If you loved the Kite Runner, you will love Khaled Hosseini's new book, A Thousand Splendid Suns.  In Hosseini's new book, the author allows outsiders to take a peek of what life is like in Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion, the Taliban regime, and finally, rebuilding after America's invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. 

Like the Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns is beautifully written.  One of the things I like about Hosseini's writing is the fact that he lets readers feel and experience firsthand what the characters go through. 

Like the Kite Runner, this new book is also powerfully written.  After reading his first book a couple of years ago, I suddenly had the urge to help children in Afghanistan and other war-torn countries.  Likewise, A Thousand Splendid Suns opens the readers' eyes to what it is like to be a woman in an oppressive regime where women are treated as properties.  I was left thinking, 'What can be done to help women like Mariam (the book's heroine) in places where being a female meant no rights, no access to education, stuck with an abusive husband, and no one else to turn to?' 

Would like to see this but unable to find info on the internet re: show dates and where it is currently being shown.  Leave me a comment if you know more info.  Thanks.

I like The Descent.  It is about this group of adventurous women friends who end up trapped inside a cave full of bat-like humans who eat people.  While trapped inside the cave, the protagonist learns that her bestfriend has been messing around with her husband.  Suddenly, she turns from nice girl to crazy Rambo.  As Rambo girl and her so-called friend fight these monsters, Rambo girl picks up one of these huge blades that climbers use and sticks it into the slut's leg just to teach her a lesson.  You'll see the blade going right through her leg.  That was very nice.   Rambo girl then rans off like a mad woman and leaves her "friend" behind to be eaten by the human bats. You should see it.  There is a lesson to be learned. Never ever mess with Rambo.

Go watch this: http://apocalypto.movies.go.com/

Because I said so.