Comment by roxana marin on March 17, 2011 at 12:03

i much agree with you both, and i note much insight in casimire's outlook - individual actors' (favourable) responses to us may be exactly what we might need for networks to eventually really-really notice us.
though, like you ciuin, ive been playing the game at different levels for some time now, i cant help being a grassrooter at heart:)

Comment by Casimire Williamsii on March 17, 2011 at 13:13

@Roxana. People will follow, if IRADL had the support of actors and spots figures. Sad but true (fact) that is human nature these days! You can publish the reality of what is going on for years and few will listen. But if Madonna (for example) supports us then you have the worlds attention. 

Comment by Els de Groen (Archive) on March 17, 2011 at 13:29

Dear Casimiore, Roxana, Ciuin and others,

I just send a mail to Ciuin with a proposal to worldwide contact both actors and playrights to distance themselves from commercial movies and theatre that promote racism, as taking part in this is contributing to racism. It is not easy to approach most celebrities. Some simply do not have a glue what is going on in Europe to day, be it Czech Republic or Hungary. But I suppose addressing them is much more effective than addressing the moneygrubbers from the film industry. True, we artists, we we don't have money, but we have the will and capacity to make feel people ashamed. I am afraid that the film bosses will only change their strategy if it's not commercial anylonger, if it does not pay. They are not so different from politicians, after all!

Els

Comment by Ciuin Ferrin on March 17, 2011 at 13:44

Dear all,

I do agree we need both celebrity and scholarly support. We need to contact academics at universities as well as members of the UA, WG, SAG and on and on. Now is the time to do research before we begin to send out letters. There are proper ways to go about this and we need to be careful about our word choice and our choice of contacts.

 

Most organizations of this sort have certain contact people. If you don't get the right guy, it is doubtful he will forward the letter on to the correct person. As often happens in the writing world, the letter or request is simply thrown out; one less thing for someone with an over taxed schedule to do.

 

I'm willing to do the research, but it will take some time. If there are others willing to help research, that would be wonderful. Actors are harder to reach because they are sought out by so many charities, special interest groups, and, of course, people like us.

 

As for reaching the celebrities, I suggest we begin creating a list, beginning with the actors in Criminal Minds, the former stars of Charmed, and the cast of Damn Me to Hell. To the best of my knowledge, these are the latest releases that have used Roma as stereotypical tools to advance their own plots. We need to be careful not to condemn them, but only explain the role the show/film plays on the world stage, then gently explain the situation of the Romani in the world. We don't want to offend, but educate. We don't need them turning on us.

 

Just a thought of where to begin.

 

Baxt,

C

Comment by roxana marin on March 17, 2011 at 14:33

ciuin,
can you write me at roxanarmarin@yahoo.com for a bit of coaching on the research you are talking about - i have loads and loads of time here in santiago, and i can easily research the european side of the scene. i just need a bit of coaching:) thanks, r.

Comment by Casimire Williamsii on March 18, 2011 at 0:52

@ Ciuin, I have been around Hollywood people a great deal during my life. My step-father was an actor and I worked at the studios for quite a while. They are always looking for a new cause to support, it is good for their image and a tax write off. Also helps them justify making thirty million dollars (or so) for just one picture! If they can't find a new cause then they adopt a baby from Thailand or Nigeria or some such place. That is the cold reality of the situation, not the way I think. I am very fond of talking to all of you about the Civil Rights Leaders back in the day. Cesar Chavez was very effective because he enlisted celebrities to his cause. Eventually even Robert Kennedy marched with him. You can write blogs and F/B pages for years...but...if we could gain the support of someone like Johnny Depp then the world would take notice. I know this is shallow and superficial, but that is the way socieity is. But actors and sports figures are what they hold up as idols. Great teachers or intellectuals, they are not important to these clones out there. That is the sad but true reality of the situation.

Cesar Chavez www.ufw.org

 

Comment by Niko Rergo on March 18, 2011 at 9:26

OK for evribodi an'ol. 'ts Niko. High five! Know hwat? I djust wanna kvetch a bit: u guiz out Stats cunna hev props. ts rad t'read UA, WG, SAG, F/B, 'big shot' but...
Well, excuse me. Not everybody in our network is native English speaker and has wide and enough background knowledge of other countries.
My apologies again, Niko

Comment by Els de Groen (Archive) on March 18, 2011 at 13:05

Hello Niko,

Yes, these abreviations should have been explained a bit. I don't know exactly their meaning. I suppose however that UA is United Artists/Actors. It is about those circles where writers, playwrights, actors have organised themselves. I consider it a good idea and suppose these unions, trade unions or assiciations of artists do exist everywhere. In the Netherlands we also have them; moreover it will be a good way to promote the ideas of the Initiative. In the Netherlands we have the VvL (writers) and the Kunstenbond (Union of Artists). I suppose Ukraine has similar bodies.

Best wishes!

Els

PS: We still wait for Yuriy Ivanenko to sign up and would be happy when you contact him!

Comment by Casimire Williamsii on March 18, 2011 at 14:05

WG is writers guild and SAG is Screen Actors Guild. UA United Artists.

Comment by Els de Groen (Archive) on March 18, 2011 at 14:47

Very good! If we all address these people in our own countries, there will be tens of guilds and unions to be contacted. Furthermore we need a press pack of artists to be addressed. Please, let's all contribute to this.

Today I read about the nice and gentil speech of the EU president from Hungary for the European Parliament in Strasbourg (they meet both in Strasbourg and Brussels). Simultaneously I am informed about the protests by AI, ECCR and others against the Illegal Guard people taking over control in Hungarian villages. Some live in an ivory tower, others in shacks. This is Europe today.

Els

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