Category Archives: Anatomy

Editors note: One in four people in America has a disability, according to the CDC. Queer and Deaf/disabled people have long been a vibrant part of the LGBTQ community. Take two of the many queer history icons who were disabled: Michelangelo is believed to have been autistic. Marsha P. Johnson, a hero of the Stonewall Uprising, had physical and psychiatric disabilities. Today, Deaf-Blind fantasy writer Elsa Sjunneson, actor and bilateral amputee Eric Graise and Obama administration Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Kathy Martinez are just a few of the people who identify as queer/Deaf/disabled. The stories of this vital segment of this queer community have rarely been told. In its series Queer, Crip and Here, the Blade is telling some of these long unheard stories.

My coming out story looks more like me telling someone my favorite cookie flavor is chocolate chip, Bobbi-Angelica Morris, a Gallaudet University graduate student, activist, poet, photographer, videographer and visual artist, told the Blade, than an emotional roller coaster.

Ive always embodied this carefree energy pertaining to who I am, what my purpose is, and how I show up for others, added Morris, who is Deaf/Hard of Hearing and identifies as a Black, nonbinary, queer and abolitionist artist.

Earlier this year, Morris, 23, received the Mary Bowman Arts in Activism Award from the National AIDS Memorial, the San Francisco organization that displays the internationally acclaimed AIDS Memorial Quilt.

Over the phone and in email, Morris spoke with the Blade about a range of topics from her Deafhood to how she felt safe at a queer Halloween party.

Morris, who uses she/they pronouns, grew up in different parts of the East Coast. They spent most of that time in Richmond, Va.

Growing up, most of the people around me would ask if I was gay, Morris said, because I fit into the stereotypical realms of present day msc [masculine] presenting dykes.

No one questioned me when I actually came to terms with my queer identity, they added.

Before enrolling in Gallaudet, Morris spent most of their time as a student with hearing people in schools, where most teachers and students didnt communicate in American Sign Language (ASL). Morris was the only Deaf student in their classes until they graduated from the University of Virginia in 2022 in Charlottesville. There, they majored in global development studies and minored in ASL with a concentration in disability studies and community development.

Growing up, Morris didnt know about ASL or the creativity and history of Deaf culture.

It wasnt until I was in elementary school, Morris said, that an audiologist said I qualified for hearing aids.

In their poetry, Morris, who speaks and signs their work, reflects on their family and their experience of being Deaf.

I reflect on my own Deafhood:/ my playground fights/ with uneducated parents, Morris writes in a poem, When little Black Deaf girl doesnt hear someone speak to her,/that someone thinks little Black Deaf girl is disrespectful.

Like many Deaf/Hard of Hearing people, who go to school when they dont know American Sign Language, and there are no ASL interpreters, Morris felt isolated.

I had no knowledge of the Deaf community or of Black Deaf history, they said.

Some in Morriss family and community couldnt accept that Morris is Deaf. Some, not out of maliciousness, prayed for my healing, they said.

What Morris calls her Black Deafhood, has been a long journey at the intersection of sexuality, Deafness, disability, Blackness, gender, activism, and art.

Deafhood is a journey that a Deaf person undertakes to discover his, her or their identity and purpose in life, according to a Deafhood Foundation statement on deafhood.org.

Hearing people often perceive of Deafness as a disease that should be cured, and of Deaf people as incompetent, second-class, less-valued, citizens.

Just as coming out helps queer people to affirm their sexuality and connect with the LGBTQ community and history, Deafhood empowers Deaf people to have pride in themselves to connect with the Deaf community, history and culture.

As it often goes with finding and loving your queer self, Deafhood is a process.

In middle school, Morris watched Switched at Birth, the popular TV series. The teen and family drama features Deaf and hearing actors and scenes in ASL.

The show jump-started Morriss interest in Deafness and the Deaf community. But, I still didnt understand my connection [with the Deaf community], Morris said.

Curious to discover something about Deaf culture, Morris started an informal class a club. There, they and their friends learned signs from YouTube videos.

At the University of Virginia, Morris took a sign language class. They studies abroad for a time in India.

At Gallaudet, Morris began to feel connected to the Deaf community. They are a student in the Master of Social Work program at Gallaudets School of Civic Leadership, Business, and Social Change. Morris will graduate with an M.S.W. degree in 2024.

They are equally committed to making art and activism to working for social justice for Black, Deaf/disabled, queer, and other marginalized groups. A love of art and social change is etched in their bones.

I am an abolitionist and an artist, Morris said, I cannot be one without the other.

Their abolitionist identity is connected to how they experience intersectionality. Morris sees their life as connected to the movement for total liberation of all our people, beings, and non-beings in this present day and beyond, they said.

Because they are an artist, they have a responsibility to use their skills to educate, inspire and protect everyone and everything that abolitionists fight for daily, Morris said.

From early on, Morris loved being creative. During an unstable childhood, art helped Morris to express their feelings.

Fortunately, art ran in Morriss family. My bio-mom is an amazing artist, Morris said, so we would draw things together.

Later, Morriss god-mom gave Morris materials that sparked their interest in painting and photography.

In middle school, Morris got into spoken word poetry when one of their Boys and Girls Club mentors showed them a spoken word video. At the University of Virginia, Morris participated in poetry slams. In their Gallaudet social work program, they impressively deploy their artistic and activism chops.

Their advocacy projects are numerous. Morris is developing ASL G, a non-profit organization. The groups mission is to develop community garden coalitions and programming for art and health wellness through disability justice, Morris said.

Morris was the former creative outreach coordinator of VOCA, a non-profit that supports BIPOC, Deaf artists.

I have family members that have been incarcerated, Morris said. Because of that, I want to fight the injustice of the prison industry and mass incarceration.

Morris is the president of Students Against Mass Incarceration (SAMI), a student club at Gallaudet.

Ableism, audism (discrimination against Deaf people), homophobia and racism are issues for Morris. The white presence is prominent in many institutions, they said, often theyre predominantly white.

Morris likes being a Gallaudet student. But, theres a lack of racial competency at Gallaudet as there is in the whole of America, they said.

The queer community has provided safe spaces for Morris.

Once, Morris and their partner attended a queer Halloween party in Charlottesville. Half the people in attendance knew or were learning sign language, Morris said. I think it was then that I realized how connected the queer community was in ensuring no one was left out.

Morris went to the party as Beast Boy, and their partner went as Raven from Teen Titans.

Follow Morris on Instagram @Blckrainbow5

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Anatomy of a post-cancellation comedy tour: Ashley Gavin in D.C. - Washington Blade

Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for Anatomy of a Fall.

Sure, the Palme dOr is great and all, and this years Anatomy of a Fall certainly deserved it in all its glory, but its claiming of the top prize at this years Cannes Film Festival unfortunately overshadowed another incredible victory as a result: the Palm Dog! This should come as a surprise to absolutely no one whos seen the film, given that it features the best animal performance of the year, but for those who think that the worlds most prestigious film festival is full of nothing besides pretentious elitists itching to corner you into a discussion about their top five ric Rohmer movies, youre only half right! Yes, the Cannes Film Festival was the premiere home of Apichatpong Weerasethakuls Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, but it was also the premiere home of Shrek 2, which competed for the Palme dOr just the same!

This is indicative of the fact that these programmers are hardly the snobs that the festivals reputation makes them out to be and the Palm Dog is the greatest proof of that. The Palm Dog was founded by Toby Rose, in loving memory of his pooch Mutt, who attended several festivals throughout his life. Since its inception in 2001, past winners include Sayuri the pit bull who played Brandy in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Uggie the Jack Russel Terrier of The Artist. The prize has also gone to CGI monsters like the demonic fox of Lars von Triers Antichrist, or more popularly Dug from Up, but animated or not, Anatomy of a Falls Snoop (Messi, a border collie) boldly goes where no other animal performance has gone before.

A woman is suspected of her husband's murder, and their blind son faces a moral dilemma as the sole witness.

Messi didnt just get by on his adorability in this one, even if thats another point thats hard to contest. Directed by Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall follows Sandra Voyter (Sandra Huller) and her son Daniel (Milo Machado-Graner in a phenomenal child performance) after they discover the body of the familys patriarch Samuel (Samuel Theis), dead in the snow of their once-quaint Grenoble chalet. Soon after, Sandra herself comes under fire, becoming the prime suspect of Daniels potential murder after its discovered that he died from blunt force head trauma before hitting the snow. Sandra and Daniel are thus forced to uncover many deep and hidden truths about their familys dynamic in an attempt to make sense of Samuels sudden passing.

Anatomy of a Fall invigorates the courtroom drama in more ways than one, breathing new life into a genre thats given audiences some of the most heated dramatic encounters cinema has seen and asking some soul-crushing questions along the way. Like Otto Premingers similarly titled Anatomy of a Murder, Triets Anatomy of a Fall question the very notion of truth in the context of a legal battle where the truth matters less than a particular lawyers argument for or against the defendant. Sandra, a famous novelist, sees her life torn apart as every word shes ever written comes under ridiculous scrutiny and her son, still grieving over the death of his father, is forced to watch his mother attacked from every direction as he simultaneously digests some horribly uncomfortable truths about the man who raised him. With few friends (especially at a time like this), Daniels only comfort seems to be his guide dog Snoop, and to that effect, Snoop excels.

Lassie made you cry for her dedication to her best friend and Cujo made you reconsider whether you could be a cat-person instead, but whether its the reinforcement of childhood or the death of it, theres a reason that dogs in films tug on our heartstrings the way that they do. For affirmation, look no further than Puss in Boots: The Last Wishs Perrito (Harvey Guilln), whose origin story involves having been thrown into water inside a sock with a rock in it by his owners. And yet he still loves them! Dogs are the masters of unconditional love, the kind that us humans can only hope to ever embody for another person, which is why we crave their acceptance. In Anatomy of a Fall, Snoops love is tested on all fronts as he brings about a key discovery that builds into the court cases show-stopping climax.

While Sandra and Daniel initially resist the notion that Samuel committed suicide, it becomes increasingly clear throughout the court case that its the only viable alternative to his murder. As a result, Daniel (in isolation from his mother due to the fact that theyre not allowed to discuss the case outside of court) attempts to recreate his fathers loosely-remembered suspected suicide attempts. Daniel recalls the date that his mother gave for his fathers suicide attempt, claiming that he intentionally overdosed on aspirin, only to vomit the pills. Snoop, suspected of having eaten Samuels vomit that day (lets not forget that dogs can be pretty gross as well), subsequently fell ill, prompting Daniel to try and confirm the event by feeding Snoop aspirin. Big mistake.

How Triet accomplished the impossible for that scene will have the animal wranglers from Babe scratching their heads as to how she did it. When we see Snoop overdosed, he appears completely catatonic. Its not just that he lies still, but his tongue remains flapping out of his mouth while his eyes appear frozen in time. You can barely see the pooch breathing as he clings for life amidst Daniels panic, looking completely deceased in a painful manner that must have been as heart-wrenching to pull off on set as it is to watch. Hopefully, no method acting took place to achieve this devastating effect, but given Messis commitment in the role, youd be wrong to write off the possibility.

What makes Anatomy of a Fall such a brilliant courtroom drama is the fact that it focuses just as much on the effects that the trial has on the familys home life as it does the whip-smart repartee that we all love the genre for to begin with. As a result, Sandras emotional arc sees her shunned from the pieces in the family that remain, being forced to fight for reacceptance. Snoops role in that family counts for just as much as any other member, and Triet conveys that through incorporating him throughout. Its while walking Snoop that Daniel discovers his fathers dead body, brilliantly transforming a moment of childhood innocence into the worst day of that childs life, but more important is the films closing shot.

After Sandras eventual acquittal (in large part thanks to her sons highly dangerous experiment and testimony), she comments on the lack of relief shes felt as a result, contrary to her expectations. Of course, as vital as it was to win this one, the trial has dominated the defendants grieving period to the extent that now, over a year later, all she has to look forward to is a son to make amends with and a husband to mourn. Daniel accepts his mother back into the family with a sleep-ridden hug, but uncertainty looms as she descends her home for a night on the couch. To her elated surprise, Snoop jumps in and snuggles up next to her. Its a subtle way of marking her re-engagement with normalcy, and even if the trial will have undoubtedly scarred her public image, its through Snoop that we know that her relationship with her family has been mended for the time.

In accepting the enormously prestigious Palm Dog Award, Triet spoke to The Hollywood Reporter to drop some truth bombs: [Snoop] was not just another character or some animal running around [but] as much a part of the films ensemble as any of the other actors. Its hard to imagine that he had his own trailer, but Triets treatment of Snoop as a proper member of the family for whom it was important that Sandra make amends with when the smoke settled is the reason why his performance is so deeply effective. The Academy better be taking notes, as only upon recognizing this unsung facet of cinema will they ever amount to the prestige of the Cannes Film Festival.

Anatomy of a Fall is in cinemas now.

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'Anatomy of a Fall' Has the Best Animal Performance of the Year - Collider

Jerome Twyman likes things on his own terms. A heart attack was never in his plans. Life has a way of throwing even the most disciplined batters a curveball, however, and one morning in August 2023 while enjoying his normal morning routine of errands in his hometown of Keyser, West Virginia, Twyman was hit hard with telltale symptoms.

I had just sat down in the barber shop to wait for a haircut when I started sweating buckets, he said. Then I felt it in my left arm, and I knew right away I was having a heart attack.

It was about 25 minutes by ambulance to the UPMC Western Maryland emergency department, and though concerned, from the start Twyman had faith that whatever care lay ahead for him would work out positively. I said Im not going out like this, are you kidding me? I have plans and Im not done.

He had no way of knowing at the that his case was something his doctor had only ever read about in a textbook.

The interventional cardiologist on call that day was Dr. Hani Alkhatib, director of the structural heart program at UPMC Western Maryland. Twyman presented to the emergency department with a massive heart attack resulting from clots travelling from the heart chambers into all the main heart arteries and eventually impeding blood flow. After examining him and reviewing images of his heart, the complexity and severity of the case became clear.

Mr. Twyman was born with an extremely rare congenital anomaly affecting his heart vessels, which was not recognizable until our encounter with him, Alkhatib said.

The condition, known as anomalous left main coronary artery originating from the right coronary cusp, is a one in 400,000 diagnosed birth defect. Normally the heart has two main vessels with separate origins arising from the aorta, but in his situation, both arteries shared the same origin which made him susceptible to a devastating and life-threatening complication.

A heart attack of this kind is extremely rare and tremendously challenging given the patients anatomy, Alkhatib said. Heart attacks typically occur because of blockages caused from a cholesterol plaque forming on the inner lining of heart vessels. Mr. Twymans congenital coronary artery anatomy resulted in the clot travelling to all his arteries, and this became an event that neither myself or any of my Interventional and cardiology colleagues had ever seen.

As a result, a routine procedure that would typically take 30 minutes to complete took in excess of three hours. With the superb effort and resilience of our cardiac team we were able to aspirate all the clots out and reopen his arteries using stents and balloons, and we were able to perform this complex procedure in a timely manner, which is a huge factor in having a positive outcome, Alkhatib said. I give Mr. Twyman a lot of credit. He was hanging for his dear life and didnt give up for a second, which helped us a lot to keep going and do what we needed to do.

After three days of recovery, Twyman was able to go home full of appreciation for the specialized care he received. You have to understand something about me and about my family, he said. We dont like to bother anybody. I dont like asking for any help. We dont like relying on anybody. That used to be my motto. When I got myself into trouble, I would figure out how to get myself out of it. I am not that way anymore, and especially not with this.

Going forward, Twyman has his cardiac health at the front of his future plans. Dr. Alkhatib is a very concerned, thorough doctor. I have him on speed dial now. If I need to call, he takes time for me. I know I can ask him anything because I never feel like I am bothering him. There was something different about my treatment and the care, he said. I didnt have any worries. I just knew this hospital was on point. I dont have many words. I knew I was going to be all right.

Twymans case is just one of many success stories to come out of the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC Western Maryland. I really want to commend our cardiac team, Alkhatib said. They are reliable and highly experienced and deal with all sorts of situations. Their dedication to save lives in this community is outstanding.

Journalists interested in learning more can contactmediarelations@upmc.edu.

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UPMC Cardiologist, Team Successfully Treat Rare Anatomical ... - UPMC

Hundreds of fans battled a heavy rain to greet the 2023 IHF Mens Super Globe champions, SC Magdeburg, as the German side returned from Dammam on Monday evening. It became somewhat of a tradition, as over 10,000 people flocked to the main square in the German city last June, when the 2023 IHF Mens Junior World Championship was about to throw off, to celebrate the EHF Champions League Men title won by Bennet Wiegerts side.

This time, it was more of the same, albeit with less people, due to the difficult weather conditions, but it was still an abundance of joy and respect for their heroes, as Magdeburg sealed a historic three-peat at the IHF Mens Super Globe, after their wins in 2021 and 2022.

From the three titles secured in Saudi Arabia, the first one, in 2021 in Jeddah, looked to be the easiest, when Magdeburg sealed a 33:28 win over FC Barcelona in the final. One year later, they needed extra-time to secure another magnific 41:39 win over the Spanish squad. And this time, in the first all-German final at the IHF Mens Super Globe, they took a 34:32 win over Fchse Berlin, also in extra-time.

But how was it possible? What was Magdeburgs secret? How did the German side morphed from a contender to the second team in history to secure the IHF Mens Super Globe title three times in a row?

First of all, it must be the resilience. The German side delivered all their greatest hits in the past two seasons in extra-time or at penalties. Winning the semi-final against Barcelona in the Champions League on penalties? Checked. Winning the title in the Champions League against Industria Kielce in extra-time? Checked.

Two IHF Mens Super Globe titles won after extra-time? Checked. They say handball is all about fine margins, but Magdeburg have taken those fine margins even further, delivering outstanding team spirit, some fantastic resilience and excellent performances in crunch time, irrespective of who was on the court.

Magdeburg did not even flinch when right wing Daniel Pettersson missed a penalty with eight seconds left in the final against Fchse, as that shot could have been the decider. Instead, Pettersson was picked up by his teammates and they played as a team in the next ten minutes, outclassing their German rivals with a hard-to-beat defence.

There are some moments where one can enjoy it even more than usual. I am super proud and super happy, because with this mentality, it is very hard to lose. As a coach, one can only be proud, said Magdeburgs Bennet Wiegert.

Indeed, Wiegert has to be proud of how strong a unit Magdeburg was at the 2023 IHF Mens Super Globe, after the MVP of the EHF FINAL4, Gisli Kristjansson, did not play a minute this season, recovering from a shoulder injury, while one of their best scorers last season, right back Kay Smits, moved to SG Flensburg Handewitt.

Magdeburg faced even more uncertainty with their line-up, after left back Philipp Weber went off injured in the first match of the 2023 IHF Mens Super Globe, against Khaleej Club, adding more woes for the German side, which also had Michael Damgaard sidelined for the first matches, as his fitness was not up to par after an injury.

Any team would have been excused of dropping their level, but not Magdeburg, which delivered excellent performances over the last two months in all competitions, creating a 13-game winning streak, which also included the largest ever win in the history of the IHF Mens Super Globe, 57:14, against the University of Queensland.

After a shaky start of the season, Wiegert tweaked a bit the team, here and there, and did not back down for a moment, even when his team was down five goals in the second half of the final against Fchse.

Whether it was luck, a good gameplan or just Magdeburg doing Magdeburg things, it clearly worked and his team has now a 13-match winning streak at the IHF Mens Super Globe, conceding only one loss in the 17 matches they played in the competition, for the best winning percentage in history.

It is something really amazing, to be fair, it is spectacular, it is something that we did not expect a few years ago. We have been playing good, in this edition too, and I think we deserve to be here. The feeling is fantastic, it is a bit crazy to be in this situation, added Wiegert, after Magdeburg beat Industria Kielce in the semi-finals of this edition of the IHF Mens Super Globe.

With their third title in as many editions, Magdeburg jumped to the second place in the all-time standings in the competition, having finished second in their first appearance, in 2002. Only FC Barcelona have more titles, five, but it looks like a new king dominates over the competition.

And, who knows, maybe in the next edition, which will take place in the autumn of 2024, Magdeburg can write even more history. Then Wiegert can really say this is crazy, with his side aiming to become the first ever to win four titles in a row at the IHF Mens Super Globe.

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The anatomy of a success: How did Magdeburg win the IHF Men's ... - IHF

Past Lives, Normal People, Aftersun the quiet movie is having a moment in cinema. But what exactly makes these movies so special?

MANILA, Philippines In the action-packed landscape of cinema nowadays, quiet indie films seem to have become increasingly popular.

We first saw it in Manchester by the Sea and Brooklyn and now were seeing it in critically acclaimed indie darlings Past Lives and Aftersun.

This isnt the first time these kinds of movies have been made, of course, but now they seem to be gaining larger critical and commercial success than ever before. People are opting for these types of films even amidst all the big blockbusters being peddled in theaters today.

But what exactly constitutes a quiet movie, and why is it so revolutionary?

As the name might suggest, everything from the sound design to the lingering scenic shots takes a careful and slow pace most of these films can stay in just one place over the course of the entire movie.

But this principle applies to the dialogue, too take, for example, the film Past Lives released just this year, a heartbreaking story directed by Celine Song about two former lovers who grew up together as children in Korea now reconnecting as adults. When they finally meet in New York for the first time in over two decades, most of their interaction is wordless stares of disbelief, nervous laughter, long intense glances.

Words have power in quiet films, and here, whats being left unsaid becomes almost as important as what is. When directors exert this type of restraint, every single thing the characters do and say magically becomes heavy with the magnitude of their meaning.

Or take a look at these clips from Charlotte Wells Academy Award-nominated Aftersun (2022), which was named one of the best films of 2022 by the National Board of Review, and Luca Guadagninos Academy Award-winning Call Me By Your Name (2015).

Nothing of note really happens in these scenes, so why even bother showing them? But what they accomplish within just a few minutes is that very quickly, you get a sense of the world these filmmakers are creating. Youre not just shown these worlds youre immersed in them, given the time to soak it all in. The aesthetic feel of these films works beautifully to set the stage for the real star of the movie the characters within them.

Here is where the real heart of a quiet movie lies. The muted backdrop against which these stories take place allows the actors to really shine, placing their performances at the forefront. Even with an ensemble cast, these types of films often place the emotional journey these characters undergo front and center, as opposed to just the circumstances they find themselves in.

The 2015 film Manchester by the Sea (also Academy Award-winning) is widely considered to be among the best films of the 21st century, focusing entirely on Casey Afflecks character Lee as a grief-stricken man who returns to his seaside town and must confront the things he left behind. As the story progresses, we slowly learn the true nature of why he left as well as the extent of his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. We stay with Lee for the entirety of the film as he suffers in silence, dealing with the aftermath of his brothers death, having to take care of his now-orphaned nephew, and coming across his ex-wife from whom he feels he does not deserve forgiveness for the death of their children.

Quiet movies arent afraid to sit in all these uncomfortable emotions in fact, this is where they take their time. Films like Manchester by the Sea trust in their actors to deliver, always bringing the camera back to their faces so we can see what they see, feel what they feel.

Or take Brooklyn (2015) where the radiant Saoirse Ronan plays Eilis, a young Irish girl who makes her way to America from Ireland. We see Eilis struggle with fierce homesickness, eventually making a life for herself on foreign shores and even finding love. The film all comes to a head in this scene, where Eilis returns home to Ireland and finds herself having to choose between her newfound home and the only home shes ever known.

The way we come to identify with these characters is by getting to live their ups and downs right there with them. Although perhaps not climactic in the way we usually think of when we hear the word, its the films emotions that crescendo beautifully into charged, impactful scenes laced with meaning and depth and thats what makes these types of films worth watching.

Perhaps the biggest distinguisher of quiet films is how they choose to focus on the everyday ordinary lives of very ordinary people. These movies are deceptively unassuming in that you can even imagine them actually happening to you, much unlike the overplayed extravagance were used to seeing depicted on-screen. Films like these somehow manage to take the most blas ordeals known to man and transform them into something worth watching for two hours.

Another Paul Mescal favorite, Normal People follows two young people who weave in and out of one anothers lives over the course of four years. But in this scene where one of our main characters, Connell, finally goes to therapy and breaks down, the feelings he expresses I left thinking I could have a different life But I hate it here, and now I can never get that life back. all feel achingly real and familiar.

We see Connell fidget, stumble over his words, pause for awkwardly long amounts of time, try and fail to keep the emotions from their face. But its exactly how films like these show the sides of ourselves that arent as pretty that make them meaningful. The more vulnerable and honest a story on screen is, the more it resonates with people; at its core, the kind of people portrayed by quiet movies on-screen are just achingly, painfully human.

Even the best Studio Ghibli films have this remarkable quality about them theyre often set in the most mundane settings at school or work, and yet theyre made to be so vibrant and magical that even the ordinary somehow appears extraordinary in their hands. Everything from their depiction of tasty dishes to the gorgeous hand-painted scenery inspires people to start seeing even an everyday train ride to school as something worth paying attention to and thats the power these kinds of film holds.

Quiet movies tell us: isnt it the most ordinary things that become the most important to us once we start paying attention to them?

When done well, the quiet movie masterfully portrays the heart of the human condition, putting on screen both our innermost vulnerabilities and our sources of hope. This type of filmmaking is a fresh breath of air for modern-day cinemagoers, for at its best, quiet movies are a tribute to the strength we find in ourselves and the people we love. And is there anything more human than that? Rappler.com

Dana Villano is a Rappler intern.

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From 'Past Lives' to 'Aftersun': The anatomy of a 'quiet movie' - Rappler

One of the most exciting parts of any cruise is exploring all the different areas on board the ship. While the views of open water and tropical destinations are undoubtedly captivating, there is nothing quite like taking in the enormity and complexity of the vessel itself, including the bow of a ship.

You probably already know about the starboard side and the port side, but today, we will take an in-depth look at one of the most interesting areas of any modern-day cruise ship design the bow of the ship.

Not only will we explain everything you need to know about the anatomy and function of the bow of a ship, but we will also explore some of the amenities and activities you can enjoy at the bow. So, lets get started!

The conventionalbow of a ship is at the very front of the vessel. This part of the ship serves many vital functions, and it is home to some of the most essential pieces of equipment on board the entire ship. In fact, it is often seen as the operational heart of the whole ship, which explains why it is where you will find the ships main navigational equipment and control center.

It is also where you will find some of the most breathtaking and exciting views for cruise ships. It is an area that many passengers gravitate to, as there is nothing quite like being at the very front of a ship as it heads towards a seemingly endless horizon.

Below the areas where passenger and crew members can explore, the sharply angled bow shape is designed to glide through the water with minimal resistance. A conventional bow helps cut through the water so the entire ship can move faster and more efficiently, even in rough seas.

There are multiple types of bow shape designs: bulbous bow, axe bow, and inverted bow, to name a few. Cruise ships usually have a knife-edge bow or flared bow.

To properly understand the significance and purpose of the bow, you need to know what is located there. Here is what can be found at the bow of a typical cruise ship:

While the bridge is not typically located at the absolute front of the ship, there is some debate on whether it is technically part of the bow. It is situated close to the front of one of the upper decks.

This is because this part of the ship provides the navigational crew with an unobstructed view of the horizon and the ships surroundings. The bridge is the maritime term for a ships navigational center, where you will find the captain and other high-ranking navigation officers. It houses the ships primary navigation and communications equipment and the control systems used to guide the ship.

This is the term used to describe the forward part of the ship. It tends to sit above the main deck, providing a better view. While it had a more functional purpose in the past, it acts more as an observation deck for passengers on modern ships. This is because it provides outstanding views of everything ahead of the ship.

It provides an excellent opportunity for photographs, but given the popularity of the 1997 hit Titanic, many passengers will head to the forecastle to recreate the iconic Im flying scene.

Some ships will even feature infinity pools, hot tubs, and other amenities guests can enjoy at the forecastle while they look out into the open water and incoming waves.

Most modern ships will also feature observation lounges on higher decks near the ships bow. Just like the forecastle, the main attraction of these lounges is the unobstructed views they provide of the horizon. They will often feature large windows and outward-facing chairs where guests can comfortably take in the view and enjoy a cocktail.

Viewing the ship from land, you can see the anchor extending from the side of the ships bow. This is also where the bowsprit of the ship can be found, which is a horizontal spar that supports and holds the anchor in place.

For most cruise ships, the bow is also where you can find a landing space for helicopters, known as the helideck. While this is only really used for emergencies, like medical evacuations, it is still an essential feature of the bow.

Below the waterline, you can also find a protruding bulb at the bow of most cruise ships. The bubble helps break the friction between the water and the upper parts of the ships hull and bow. Its primary purpose is to make the ship more fuel efficient, so they are a common sight on most larger vessels.

Now that you have a basic understanding of the anatomy of the bow, we can explore the essential functions it serves.

As we discussed, the bow is central to the ships navigation. This is where you will find all the most important navigation equipment, including the ships radar, sonar, satellite receivers, and communications hubs.

While most of this equipment is located within the ships bridge, some components of the equipment are located on exterior surfaces, like satellite dishes and radar antennas. The reason this part of the ship is home to all of this equipment is for the simple fact that it offers the best views of the path ahead of the ship.

Secondary propulsion systems, like bow thrusters, are also located at the front of the ship. These are used to navigate tight spaces, like ports and channels, with efficiency and accuracy.

The bow design is also critical for the overall stability and balance of the ship. This is why the design is so streamlined towards the bottom of the bow. The curved design helps the vessels break through the water efficiently, even in rough water.

As mentioned, it is also where the ships primary anchoring system is located, so the bow serves a central role during docking procedures. This heavy equipment is not located at the bow by chance; it is because it helps with weight distribution and keeping the ship balanced.

You may have also noticed that the ships bow is home to a significant amount of safety equipment, including numerous lifeboats. This allows passengers and crew members to safely evacuate in an emergency.

Today, the bow also plays a vital role in scenic cruising, as it offers some of the best views of the entire ship. This explains why many ships host themed parties and events at the bow during all times of the day. It also explains why many people head to the bow with cameras or celebrate unique moments, like marriage proposals.

Yes. Cruise lines always prioritize the safety of passengers, so all areas that are not restricted in access are made as safe as possible. While visiting any part of the bow, you will notice posted guidelines and members of the ships crew. Handrails and non-slip surfaces are common at the ships bow, especially on outdoor observation decks.

If you are nervous about visiting the outside decks at the ships bow, consider speaking with a crew member about a guided tour.

While each cruise line is different, most make at least portions of the bow design open to all passengers. Access to certain lounges may be restricted, especially during certain events, but the main observation deck should be available to all passengers.

That said, they may close the outdoor portion of the observation deck if the weather conditions would make it dangerous. Again, all cruise lines prioritize passenger safety, so access to any part of the ship always depends on whether or not it is safe to enter.

The bow of a cruise ship serves several vital roles in the safe and efficient operation of a ship. Aside from its central role in navigation and stability, it also offers passengers a front-row seat to some of the best views on the ship.

Read Also: How Ship Draft Affects a Ships Performance

Now that you know more about the bow and its important functions, take some time out of your next cruise vacation to visit this area. Take in the breathtaking views and marvel at the incredible amount of engineering that went into designing this unique part of the ship.

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Exploring the Bow of a Ship: Anatomy and Function - Cruise Hive