|
 Liz Lachman, writer/director (USA), 08/03/2010
|
Liz Lachman is a Detroit born writer who's first short film 'Getting to Know You' has screened in more than 80 festivals world wide. Liz's first original screenplay 'Pandora's Box' was chosen as a finalist in the 1999 Outfest Screenwriting Competition, and the 2004 Sundance Screenwriter's Lab. Liz currently has two feature screenplays in pre-production with Hemisphere Entertainment, 'Being Silver' and 'Pin-Up', which she will direct. |
When you cried last time and, if no secret, for what reason? I cry a lot. Because I'm moved emotionally a lot. Almost every day when I read the morning news. There's something so amazing about human beings and our ability for kindness and cruelty. I think I look for ways to be emotionally moved in my life. Hopefully always for positive reasons, but sometimes not. It makes me feel more alive. I think the last time I really was moved to tears is when I was reading the stories about Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger - the pilot who landed the plane safely in New York's Hudson River. When I realize that all of those people on that plane would be dead right now if not for that one amazing man with the right combination of life experiences and nerves of steel... it moves me to tears. Even right now, as I answer this question!
There are some events during our life, when it seems as there is no way out. That could be tragic circumstances or such assessment of them. At that time, what's the thing to do? For me, I tend to go right into my head and try to think my way out of a situation or problem. I try to stay as cool-headed as possible, realizing that sometimes a situation will pass, and doing nothing might be the best course of action. But when my back's been against the wall, for instance with death, no amount of thinking can free you. Then I think it's important to "be" with the situation. To experience as well as I can, without hiding emotionally. As an artist, I think everything is learning, and life is the teacher. Whatever I go through, makes me more human, more compassionate to others, and a better person on the planet. It means I have more to communicate to others, and why am I here if not to do all of that?
Could you please choose any event of last days, weeks or months, that has distressed you? It can be any happening on a local or international scale. How could you comment on it? The recent event of the killer whale killing his trainer at the Sea World attraction in Orlando Florida distressed me greatly because of the situation of wild animals in captivity. A couple of years ago on my birthday I wanted to recapture my youth and so went to the San Diego zoo just south of Los Angeles (where I live). I thought it would be fun. Instead I found it hugely depressing. Even though San Diego's zoo is supposed to be one of the best, watching animals in enclosures that are so small, was horrible. I was able to see one of my favorite cats, the Himalayan Snow Leopard, and it was in a very small "pretend" outdoor area where it couldn't run or leap. I think of the Snow Leopard as "mythic" in some ways. To see it lying there and people gawking at it just made me feel guilty and terrible about what we do to wild animals. The great apes were even worse. Clearly, they have huge intelligence, and to pen them is wrong. The zoo talks about how they have what amounts to "city blocks" for the apes to roam, but in the wild they have miles of jungle. I think, in this matter, we act like little children who have to have every little thing we want in a candy store. In this age of the internet, and with our evolution as humans, AND with our deeper understanding of our position as "guardians" on the planet, zoos and any wild animal enclosures should be abolished.
There's always a new danger watching for humanity in its way, always a new temptation we're ready succumb to. What's the danger of our days? And what's the way to avoid this trap? I don't know what the danger of our days is. I fear that the inability of people to feel compassion for others is a huge foundational lack right now. I know I just answered another question with that, but it's across the board. In the US, we're trying to get healthcare for everyone. Especially people who can't afford it. I constantly hear people with money say: "Why should I pay for the guy who doesn't want to work?" That's such a ridiculous comment, and comes from such an ignorant place, I never know how to answer that. It's as if the person that says it doesn't see themselves as a part of something bigger than their own little place in the world. Just as we've seen in the global financial crisis, it is in daily life. We're all connected, and when one goes down, it's just a matter of time before we all do. Nothing can protect you from being connected to others. It's just so. We may as well start acting like we're all family, and build on it.
What are the main obstructions to apply humanities principles at our today's life? Could they be solved? So now I'm answering question 5 as well. It's all connected. In all of our lives at the simplest levels, we can just be good to others. Right now I have a friend who is struggling with mental difficulties, depression, chemistry imbalance, etc. I've been over to her house several times in the last year helping her clean it (as she's been living like a person does who is having those problems - lots of mess), helping her get through bills, trying not to judge her, trying to get through to her, but meanwhile, helping keep her a little bit on track. Many of my friends have said to me: "You're a better friend than I could be. I could never do all of that." My answer to them is: "Why?" What's more important than helping a friend get through their most challenging time? Is going out to dinner with my friends more important? Is watching TV? At the end of every day, when I ask myself: "Did I do the best I could in every situation?" - I don't want the answer to be "no." When I put myself in her situation, wouldn't I want someone to be there for me? So having compassion for others, putting ourselves in their place, would go a long way toward solving the problems between people and hopefully translate to a larger platform: the world. You start local, with what you CAN do, then resonate outward. I know it means we can't see others as "different" than us. We have to see them as "part of" us. Not always easy, but I think that's the task. We have to feel like a world family.
|     |
| Comments: 1, would be great to get one of yours... |
Marina, 10 Mar 2010 03:52 am |
| I remember Liz by her songs for "SB", so it's really nice to meet here after all these years)) |
 |
|
