Sunday, March 31, 2013

Simplicity is not a style

Today, I remembered an extract of a recent interview between Peter Brook and Charlie Rose on PBS.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Brook)  Brook was speaking about his film 'Tell me  Lies', a film on Vietnam, made in 1968.  Several comments grabbed my attention, but one was relative to a poem which I believe was recited in the movie.  One of the actors asks after hearing the words:  'does this have any importance?'  Brook answers with, if just one person is touched for one moment by these words, then it will have been worth it.  This stark simplicity seemed to be the very essence of Brook.  He was clear about not wanting to enjoy a huge commercial success in his work.  He strove to be authentic, true to himself and to continue to do what he believed was important.  I will try to remember this.