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Review: Esmé Weijun Wang’s “The Collected Schizophrenias”

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

Esmé Weijun Wang has attended the prestigious institutions of Harvard University and Stanford University, and has an MFA from the University of Michigan. Wang is the winner of the 2016 Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize, a published novelist and an experienced fashion blogger and editor. Wang also has schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type.

In her book “The Collected Schizophrenias,” Wang includes 13 essays concerning her life and what it’s like to live with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type and late-stage lyme disease. The book starts with the essay “Diagnosis,” wherein Wang describes the science, and controversy, behind her diagnosis and related disorders such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Wang emphasized the importance of her diagnosis, even though some others with mental illness believe that diagnoses can be stigmatizing: “…I’ve always found comfort in preexisting conditions. I like to know that I’m not pioneering an inexplicable condition.”

In another essay, “High Functioning,” Wang discusses with brutal honesty the sensitivity she has about “appearing” ill. “I’m uncomfortable because I don’t want to be lumped in with the screaming man on the bus, or the woman who claims that she’s the reincarnation of God,” Wang wrote. The author wrote about how she often overcompensates with her fashion choices, so she can seem more high-functioning than she often feels.

Other essays cover topics including her choice to not have kids, how her psychosis has affected her life and higher education’s tendency to reject mental illness. Wang writes the fine line between accepting her mental illness as a large part of her life and being frightened of deteriorating and losing control of her life.

Wang’s writing is both relatable and informative — so little is known about schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, and misconceptions about the disorders run rampant. Wang’s transparency and eloquent writing style was truly a breath of fresh air for me, a person who also identifies as mentally ill.

“The Collected Schizophrenias” is a courageous and important piece of literature that looks at the complexity of mental illness through an intersectional lens. Wang’s most recent work describes what mental illness is like and reminds readers that a life with mental illness is worth living.

Overall rating: I would strongly recommend this book.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of graywolfpress.org

Western’s production of “Speech and Debate” starts a discussion about the secret life of teens

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

“Speech and Debate” follows three teens attending North Salem High School grappling with a sex scandal that is on the verge of imploding.

Madeline Weinstein, a junior theater major, attended the production.

“The characters (Diwata, an over-the-top wannabe high school actress pregnant with an unwanted baby, Howie, an openly gay high school student who goes on chatrooms with other gay men in order to hook up, and Solomon, a headstrong closeted gay student who is a reporter for the school newspaper) find their way into each other’s lives through the Speech and Debate club,” said Weinstein. Solomon, Diwata and Howie are brought together when Solomon, a tenacious reporter for the school newspaper, starts an investigation into the school’s theater teacher, Mr. Healy.

After hearing of the mayor’s inappropriate sexual contact with young men, Solomon starts building an article on the subject, much to the anger and chagrin of the school administration. Howie gets involved when he lets slip that he may have evidence against Mr. Healy. Diwata is reluctant to join in on the investigation, although she also has evidence against the teacher, and only agrees when the boys agree to become a part of the school’s new speech and debate club.

The play then follows Diwata, Howie and Solomon’s attempts to get the club funded by the school board, a process in which they have to prepare a mock debate presentation.

“The three students invite a reporter for the Oregonian newspaper to write about their presentation for Speech and Debate, and instead of addressing the actual problems that the students wanted, the reporter instead degraded them and said that this is what high-schoolers do in order to separate themselves from adults, and plugged her own book as well,” explained Weinstein.

The three students are all stubborn and strong-willed, and they bump heads often. Throughout the play, it is revealed that each of the speech and debate members have secrets of their own — secrets that could alter their lives in monumental ways.

This production follows tough topics such as sexual assault, sexual orientation and the lack of comprehensive sex education available to teenagers. “Speech and Debate” analyzes the ways in which American society fails it’s young people, refusing to speak to them frankly about substantial topics that affect their lives. The play tackles the important questions: is Oregon, and other states viewed as “liberal,” as open-minded as many people would like to believe? And are adults really keeping kid’s best interests at heart?

Some moments were laughable, while other moments were gasp-worthy. Overall, the production captures the essence of what it’s like to be a teenager: grappling with identity, personality and how they fit into the world — the subject matter is dark, but hauntingly realistic. The characters were familiar, with personalities that audience members may remember from their time in high school.

“I wasn’t so sure of what to expect when I went to see the show, so I came into the black box with an open mind,” said Weinstein. The main message, in Weinstein’s opinion, was: “to not be afraid of speaking up and doing what’s right.”

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Scott Grim

Staff picks: Favorite romantic movies

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

“Call Me By Your Name” (2018)

Based on a book of the same name, “Call Me By Your Name” is a movie following a young man named Elio who falls in love with a graduate student named Oliver. Oliver is staying with Elio’s family in Northern Italy, studying ancient sculptures for the summer. This film was nominated for best picture in 2018, and for good reason. The cinematography is superb and many important topics are explored, such as Judaism and how LGBTQ love was seen as forbidden at the time. Timothée Chalamet (Elio) and Armie Hammer (Oliver) are at an acting skill level that is matched in few other films.

Contact the author at cweedon16@wou.edu

Caity Healy | Editor-in-Chief

“My Bloody Valentine” (1981)

For those who know me, this choice comes at no surprise. I’ll take any opportunity I get to promote a classic horror film. Not a huge fan of romantic movies? This might just be your perfect Feb. 14 flick. It’s everything one could want in a cheesy 80s slasher — the holiday-hating deranged murderer wielding a pickaxe, who, in this case, has it out for anyone celebrating Valentine’s Day; the cliche one-liners, which in this movie come in the form of Valentine poems to warn of an imminent death; and the absolutely unnecessary amount of gore. What’s not to love?

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Kyle Morden | Digital Media Manager

“Crazy Rich Asians” (2018)

As a fellow Asian American, it is only befitting for me to recommend this movie. This film features an all-Asian cast, and it captures the true essence of what it is like to be a part of an Asian family — always having to live up to expectations. The story follows Rachel Chu as she meets her boyfriend’s crazy-rich family. Throughout the film, Rachel struggles to live up to the standards of her boyfriend’s mother. Although this movie might sound pretty dramatic, it’s a romantic comedy. You will be shedding tears of sadness and joy.

Contact the author at kmorden17@wou.edu

Rachel Hetzel | Designer

“The Princess Bride” (1987)

One of my all time favorite movies, “The Princess Bride,” is a witty fairy-tale adventure movie based on a novel by William Goldman. Buttercup is separated from her true love by Prince Humperdink, who plans to murder her and blame it on an opposing country to start a war. Her true love, Wesley, sets out to rescue her. Once reunited they must overcome the three dangers of the Fire Swamp: find the six fingered man, acquire a miracle and crash a wedding. This movie is inconceivably amazing, and I highly recommend it.

Contact the author at rhetzel18@wou.edu

Bailey Thompson | News Editor

“While You Were Sleeping” (1995)

If anybody is looking for a good old-fashioned romantic comedy that is not “The Notebook” or “When Harry Met Sally,” look no further than “While You Were Sleeping.” This hilarious and heartwarming story follows Lucy, a lonely ticket booth worker with no one in her life, as she finds a new family in the unlikeliest of ways. After saving a man’s life at her work, Lucy is mistakenly believed by his family to be the man’s fiancé. In the number of twists and turns that ensue, Lucy’s journey is one that will make you laugh, reminisce and admire the wonderful Sandra Bullock.

Contact the author at bthompson15@wou.edu

Ashlynn Norton | Photo Editor

“How to Be Single” (2016)

When it comes to Feb. 14, I’m the person who says “Happy birthday, Oregon” rather than “Happy Valentine’s Day.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m a romantic at heart, but I’m perpetually single so Valentine’s Day is not my fave. That’s why I recommend the rom-com “How to Be Single”. This movie is about four single women who are trying to go through life while being single. I love this film because it’s about finding yourself and how love looks differently for every person. You don’t have to be in relationship to be happy or feel love — just do what makes you happy.

Contact the author at anorton17@wou.edu

 

Photo courtesy of Paul F. Davis

Review: Netflix original “Velvet Buzzsaw” breathes life back into the slasher genre

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

Are you ready to be thrown back in time, to the age of slasher flicks with their dramatic cinematography and sense of impending doom? “Velvet Buzzsaw,” released on Jan 31, does just that. Featuring the talents of Jake Gyllenhaal, Toni Collette and Rene Russo, “Velvet Buzzsaw” brings old-school horror to a modern setting — the world of elite art.

This film begins with the secretary for an artist manager, Josephina, finding a collection of mesmerizing paintings when her elderly upstairs neighbor, Vetril Dease, dies. After being revealed to her boss Rhodora, the paintings are sold and showed in galleries, and Vetril Dease becomes one of the most talked-about artists in the scene.

In the beginning, all the audience knows about Dease is that his final wish was for all of his art to be destroyed. As Dease’s background is slowly revealed, he posthumously begins to take his revenge. Every person who used Dease’s art for personal gain is killed in a new and gruesome way.

“Velvet Buzzsaw” takes a satirical look at the world of the rich art elitist and adds in elements of suspense and murder, creating a slasher flick that was as nostalgic as it was unique.

For a Netflix original, the CGI was impressive. The cinematography was great, with its combination of wide shots and close-ups, along with dramatic zooms.

The sterile image of art galleries and the homes of the ultra-rich stood in stark contrast with the darkness and dirtiness of Dease’s art. The art focused heavily on the eyes — all of the figures in his paintings had their eyes closed or blurred out, almost like they had been gouged. Images of fire and smoke throughout the film were also significant, seen through the destruction of Dease’s pieces by fire and the abundance of smoking amongst the characters.

The dramatic imagery, obsession with revenge and satire within “Velvet Buzzsaw” made the movie an instant winner in my opinion. It had all the right qualities to make it a classically cheesy slasher film without seeming like just another sub-par remake. Also, It didn’t hurt that Jake Gyllenhaal was in it.

Overall rating: I would recommend this film to horror fans and newbies alike.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Guest poet Todd Davis gives a poetry reading at WOU

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

Born to two farmers from Kentucky and Virginia, Todd Davis grew up working beside his father as his veterinarian assistant and bonding over poetry. Today, Davis lives in Tipton, Pennsylvania and teaches creative writing, American literature and environmental studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He spends much of his time outside, in the field collecting data to fuel his poetry.

Davis has written six full-length poetry collections, the most recent of which is titled “Native Species.” Davis writes of the visceral, potent habits of nature and often utilizes memory to tell his stories.

Davis started writing poetry when he entered college. Since then, according to Davis’s website, todddavis.com, over 300 of his poems have been published in a variety of magazines, including American Poetry Review and Poetry Daily. On Feb 4, in Hamersly Library room 107, Davis gave a poetry reading that was open to the public.

“Death is something I’ve always written towards in my poems, trying to make peace with it,” said Davis as he prefaced a poem he read called “Homily.”

Half sermon, half poetry reading, Davis’s event was incredibly silent, reflecting how his words captured the attention of Hamersly 107, a room packed with onlookers. His poems drew inspiration from many different sources, such as John Coltrane, Judeo-Christian theology, James Wright and his own family and students.

In his poetry, Davis faces many questions, like “are humans an invasive species?”, “how will we give our bodies back to the Earth when we die?” and “is death really an end or a transformation?” But these complex ideas are translated through simple language, bringing an accessibility to Davis’s poetry that some other, more traditional poets may avoid.

Davis left the crowd with a poem that he recited as a blessing: “Being a man who has seen no angels, and who at times doubts what he’s been told in church, I’ll simply ask what the poet asked: that God would make this world as beautiful to you as it has been to me.”

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

2019 Oscar nominations and demographics

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

In 2016, outcry from celebrities and audiences alike started the twitter trend #OscarsSoWhite — a hashtag addressing the fact that all 20 actors nominated for lead and supporting roles for the year 2016 were white. There were also several movies featuring actors of color that were looked over for nominations, such as “Beasts of No Nation.” Suffice it to say, the Oscars don’t have the best track record for diverse nominations. But how diverse are this year’s nominees?

Although every nomination by the academy is seen as prestigious, the categories shown in this graphic are some of the most anticipated by audiences. These categories also provide the most visibility to those nominated, and are historically how diverseness of the awards are gauged.

[fruitful_tabs type=”accordion” width=”100%” fit=”false”]
[fruitful_tab title=”Best Picture”]

“Black Panther,” Kevin Feige, Producers

“BlacKkKlansman,” Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, Raymond Mansfield, Jordan Peele and Spike Lee, Producers

“Bohemian Rhapsody,” Graham King, Producer

“The Favourite,” Ceci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday and Yorgos Lanthimos, Producers

“Green Book,” Jim Burke, Charles B. Wessler, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly and Nick Vallelonga, Producers

“Roma,” Gabriela Rodríguez and Alfonso Cuarón, Producers

“A Star is Born,” Bill Gerber, Bradley Cooper and Lynette Howell Taylor, Producers

“Vice,” Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, Producers

[/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Actor in a Leading Role”]

Christian Bale, “Vice”

Bradley Cooper, “A Star Is Born”

Willem Dafoe, “At Eternity’s Gate”

Rami Malek, “Bohemian Rhapsody”

Viggo Mortensen, “Green Book”

[/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Actor in a Supporting Role”]

Mahershala Ali, “Green Book”

Adam Driver, “BlacKkKlansman”

Sam Elliott, “A Star Is Born”

Richard E. Grant, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”

Sam Rockwell, “Vice”

[/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Actress in a Leading Role”]

Yalitza Aparicio, “Roma”

Glenn Close, “The Wife”

Olivia Colman, “The Favourite”

Lady Gaga, “A Star Is Born”

Melissa McCarthy, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”

[/fruitful_tab] [fruitful_tab title=”Actress in a Supporting Role”]

Amy Adams, “Vice”

Marina De Tavira, “Roma”

Regina King, “If Beale Street Could Talk”

Emma Stone, “The Favourite”

Rachel Weisz, “The Favourite”

[/fruitful_tab] [fruitful_tab title=”Cinematography”]

“Cold War,” Łukasz Żal

“The Favourite,” Robbie Ryan

“Never Look Away,” Caleb Deschanel

“Roma,” Alfonso Cuarón

“A Star is Born,” Matthew Libatique

[/fruitful_tab] [fruitful_tab title=”Directing”]

“BlacKkKlansman,” Spike Lee

“Cold War,” Paweł Pawlikowski

“The Favourite,” Yorgos Lanthimos

“Roma,” Alfonso Cuarón

“Vice,” Adam McKay

[/fruitful_tab] [fruitful_tab title=”Writing (Original Screenplay)”]

“The Favourite,” Written by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara

“First Reformed,” Written by Paul Schrader

“Green Book,” Written by Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly

“Roma,” Written by Alfonso Cuarón

“Vice,” Written by Adam McKay

[/fruitful_tab]
[/fruitful_tabs]

Contact the author at entertainmenteditor@wou.edu

Designed by Brittany Figueroa

Review: “Oculus”

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

“For all my sisters” reads the dedication of Sally Wen Mao’s newest collection of poetry, “Oculus.”

In this her second collection of poems, released Jan 15, Mao weaves a complex story of technology, patriarchy, racism and time. Each poem is well-researched — not a single poem stands alone, but fuses into the landscape and context of a much bigger picture. Whether it be how technology has grasped our lives or describing the history of racist Asian caricatures in American cinema, every poem is carefully penned and laced with morbid imagery.

A series of poems throughout the book follows the imaginary journeys of actress Anna May Wong, considered the first Chinese-American actress in the United States, through time. Given the power of a time machine, Wong migrates through time and the history of American cinema, witnessing the way the industry typecasts and violates Asian people through racism.

Wong sees how Chinese women’s bodies are objectified and rejected simultaneously. Different Asian cultures are often appropriated in American shows and movies, but, as Mao focuses on in her writing, many Asian characters are portrayed by white actors in yellowface. Over the course of her journey, actress Wong travels beyond her death, and through Mao’s wit and style, calls for a reclamation of her culture and narrative.

In a poem that gives her book its title, Mao described how a young woman in Shanghai posted her suicide to Instagram in 2014. In the last section, Mao wrote a second poem under the same title, cataloging her experience watching Solange perform at the Guggenheim museum, the most photographed place in the world. Mao intricately analyzes, in these and other poems, how technology has morphed into a third limb for many, turning society into a sort of cyborg which catalogs everything.

In her poem “After Nam June Paik,” Mao wrote: “On the LCD screen, I offer light but no breath/ I author breadth but no depth/“… the surveillance camera records our prettiest nightmares.”

Mao’s poetry is eerie, brutal, futuristic and stunning. Mao writes on topics many find difficult to discuss, but shifts focus on what could be and what is to come. This collection truly is unique.

Overall rating: I would strongly recommend this book.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of graywolfpress.org

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