semites in the arts

2007 is starting off to be a good year for Semites in the arts. Annie Leibovitz was featured on the American Masters series on PBS this week. Her most famous photograph features Yoko Ono and John Lennon embracing on a bed, just before he was shot in his apartment. The best moment was when the director decided to include moments of Annie going through all her photos for her book. As she goes through 600 shots of work and family she comes to the photos of her partner, Susan Sontag.


Another highlight of my media consumption this week goes to the Sacha Baron Cohen interview on Fresh Air. Hearing Sacha Baron out of character is refreshing, as Boratmania has reached its tipping point.

Highlights:

Cohen defends his use of antisemitism in his Borat character saying it doesn't encourage the spread of more hatred. He uses the example of the Throw the Jew Down the Well song to illustrate his point that 'The path to Auschwitz was paved with indifference.'

When discussing the entertainment at his bar mitzvah Cohen explains that he and his break dancing crew performed. Alongside was his brother, who also composed the music for Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.

The lovely yellow haltered swimming fashion that Borat wore in his movie was provided by Cohen's father. The suit was manufactured by non other than the Norwegian Navy.

Also one question Terry Gross confessed she and her friends had been discussing, was whether or not Ali G was of Arabic decent or is he Caucasian? Well, he's not telling. The caveat behind Ali G is that he thinks he's black making him totally delusional either way.


Let us hope '07 continues to chronicle the lives of revolutionary artists such as Cohen & Leibovitz.