NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 42, No. 25
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2014
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SPRING BREAK TRAVEL
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See PG. 4 for our recommendations on last-minute travel destinations.
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Women desire relationship equality
Fed Chair Yellen to address 2014 grads
A study exploring modern views on gender equality in dating released on March 6 finds that while women want egalitarian relationships with men, they do not necessarily reject traditional dating rituals. NYU doctoral candidate in sociology Ellen Lamont conducted the study. Her findings about the expectations women have for dating and relationships were based on her interviews with 38 heterosexual women between the ages of 25 and 40. “I chose to sample college-educated women because their career opportunities and cultural messages [that] they receive conflict with traditional gender norms and I wanted to understand how this affected social
Janet Yellen, chair of the Federal Reserve, will be the speaker at the 182nd NYU commencement in May, the university announced on March 12. Yellen, along with former New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera, Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, singer Aretha Franklin and attorney Martin Edelman, will receive honorary degrees. NYU spokesman John Beckman said the university chooses commencement speakers based on the strides they have made in their respective fields. “In selecting its honorary degree recipients, the university tries to choose people who have a record of great accomplishments in leadership in their chosen fields,” Beckman said. “We hope that the honorees will serve as an example and an inspiration to our graduating
By VALENTINA DUQUE BOJANINI
WOMEN continued on PG. 3
By KAVISH HARJAI
JUSTIN LANIER/WSN
Two buildings explode, then collapse in East Harlem At least four people have been confirmed dead following the destruction. A gas leak, which began the night before, is connected to the explosion. Nine people are still missing in the rubble.
COMMENCEMENT cont’d on PG. 3
Play proves American Aaron Paul helps kick ‘Speed’ into gear Dream to be unrealistic By ZACHARY GRULLON
By JOSEPH MYERS
Emily Schwend’s “Take Me Back” questions the idea of the seemingly unattainable American Dream by profiling one man’s journey after being released from jail. With minimal job prospects or financial stability, ex-convict Bill (James Kautz) is forced to move in with and care for his diabetic mother, Sue (Charlotte Booker). When Bill’s newly married exgirlfriend Julie (Boo Killebrew) stops by for a visit, Bill realizes that his life has been put on hold while ev-
eryone else’s have continued. Suddenly, all Bill thinks that he knows about his life starts to unravel. The 90-minute play explores the human desire for self-improvement, the drama of strained relationships and the unsettling feeling of not knowing where you are going in life. The dark comedy pushes emotional limits in showing the pitfalls of American society and the self-destructive nature of the human condition. Set in Sue’s plain house in Muskogee, Okla., “Take Me Back”
TAKE continued on PG. 5
Since the jury is still out on whether filmmakers can successfully adapt a video game into a critically acclaimed film, to say that “Need for Speed” may be the best adaptation so far is a backhanded compliment. For better or worse, the film is essentially a guilty pleasure flick for auto-racing enthusiasts. In one of his first roles since “Breaking Bad,” Aaron Paul brings charisma to the flat character of Tobey, a mechanic by day and competitive racer by night. Along with his protégé Pete, Tobey accepts a race challenge from car entrepreneur Dino, played by
Dominic Cooper. During the race, Dino hits Pete’s car, which crashes and burns with Pete inside. Dino drives off before the police arrive. Tobey remains behind screaming in agony, and the police mistakenly arrest him for Pete’s murder, for which he
COURTESY OF WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES
The film is based on the popular video game series.
serves two years in prison. After his release, Tobey goes on a road trip from New York to California to defeat Dino in the renowned Deleon Race and seek revenge. When Dino learns about Tobey’s plan, he puts a bounty out on Tobey’s head and our hero’s road trip becomes even more sinister. “Need For Speed” does not pretend to stick to reality, but some of the stunts are unbelievable even for an action-packed video game movie. Characters drive at high speeds into oncoming traffic on a highway without crashing, pump gas into a moving car at 100 mph and carry a car over a
SPEED continued on PG. 5
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1985
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LYANNE NATIVIDAD
On March 13, 1985, WSN reported that tuition would increase to $8,530 per year in the coming fall semester in the article “Tuition jumps to $8,530.” This hike was an 8.7 percent increase, adding $680 to the tuition price. The article says there would also be an 8.3 percent rise in financial aid and a 10.6 percent increase in housing and dining costs. John Brademas, NYU’s president at the time, said in a statement that the increase was necessary for the university to keep a balanced budget after factoring in inflation, less federal support and necessary improvements to academic programs and financial aid programs. In another article, “Rising tuition frustrates and riles student body,” students expressed concerns about the increase in tuition, similar to the concerns students have today about tuition prices. They worried that they would have to work full-time jobs to pay
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news KAVISH HARJAI, ANN SCHMIDT arts CLIO MCCONNELL features BRYNA SHUMAN sports FRANCISCO NAVAS multimedia FELIPE DE LA HOZ copy THOMAS DEVLIN, PAIGE MANKIN web KIMBERLY HART, BENSON TSAI,
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their tuition or have to drop out of NYU entirely. ADVERTISING BUSINESS MANAGER
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Copywriting Diversity Anthropologist Shalini Shankar will present a lecture on the language, materiality and brand in Asian-American advertising. The discussion will begin at 5 p.m. in the Silver Center for Arts and Science.
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EMMA HOWCROFT, AMY LU, ANA SCHULER, BENJAMIN SWINEHART, JESSICA TIEN
ADVISING
Fiction Reading by Joyce Carol Oates Author Joyce Carol Oates will participate in the Creative Writing department’s spring reading series. Oates is the distinguished fiction writer-in-residence for the NYU Creative Writing Program. The reading is at the Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House at 7 p.m.
Debating the Snowden Operation This week’s snapshot theme is warmth. Here is today’s interpretation.
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Senior editor of The Economist Edward Lucas and law professor Stephan Holmes will debate Lucas’ book “The Snowden Operation: Inside the West’s Greatest Intelligence Disaster.” The event is from noon to 1:30 p.m. at 245 Sullivan St. TODAY’S EVENTS ARE FREE FOR NYU STUDENTS.
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HANQING CHEN, JONATHON DORNBUSH, RACHEL KAPLAN, JORDAN MELENDREZ, JONATHAN TAN About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Michael Domanico at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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WOMEN continued from PG. 1
Sociology Ph.D. student finds women yearn for relationships to become egalitarian
change in dating behaviors,” Lamont said. Lamont said she became interested in this research when thinking about cultural narratives surrounding the idea of a marriage proposal. “Women were supposedly so desperate to get married, while men were supposedly so reluctant,” Lamont said. “I wondered if women’s socalled desperate behaviors that are so frequently highlighted in the media were actually the result of the powerlessness they feel about the process of getting engaged.” As for the results of her research, Lamont said she was surprised by the consistency in what the women told her. She said many participants in the research believe that men have the responsibility to ask a woman out and pay for dates and that men determine when a relationship should go from casual to committed. Lamont’s study shows that women still participate in this kind of cultural narrative, but they also want more equality in marriage. Many women in Lamont’s study described their ideal relation-
ship as being one in which both partners share responsibilities, especially economically and in child care. “My biggest concerns with the women’s narratives is that they want traditional courtship and egalitarian marriages and I just don’t think that will be possible,” Lamont said. “Their justifications for traditional courtship are based on beliefs in essential biological differences between men and women and they reinforce these beliefs in their dating practices.” Sociology professor Robert Jackson said Lamont’s findings are not surprising to him, but added that the public should be wary of the type of generalizations it draws from the research. Jackson said it cannot be concluded from the research that women and men do not really want more egalitarian relationships. “People struggle with finding partners and constructing romantic relationships,” Jackson said. “Coping with the existing ambiguous expectations about gender identities and commitments is one more part of an inherently difficult
activity in our modern world.” LS freshman Daniel Lynne said he does not think it is strange when girls make the first move in a relationship. “It is definitely less common, because that’s how our society has been for a long time,” Lynne said. “There used to be a lot of importance placed on gentlemanly conduct and I guess we just haven’t fully departed from that yet.” Valentina Duque Bojanini is a contributing writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF ELLEN LAMONT
Ellen Lamont interviewed 38 heterosexual women.
Latinas in U.S. more likely to have diabetes, study finds By ANJANA SREEDHAR
Researchers at NYU’s College of Nursing recently released a study analyzing Latina women in America and their likelihood to develop prediabetes and diabetes. Professors Shiela Strauss, Sherry Deren and Mary Rosedale conducted the study by analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The professors, with the help of others, examined the proportion of women from different racial groups who experienced high glucose levels that would make them susceptible to developing diabetes. According to the study, around 5.5 million Latinas have developed elevated fasting plasma glucose levels, which leads to high blood glucose and consequently to diabetes, but several million of them are unaware that they may develop diabetes. This lack of awareness and lack of access to a healthcare provider has led to high rates of preventable morbidity. Strauss said one purpose of the study is to inform women of the severity of the disease. “Notably, women are often more severely affected by diabetes complications than men are,” Strauss said. “Unfortunately, little was known about the extent to which Latinas with undiagnosed prediabetes and diabetes visit a health care provider to have their blood glucose measured, enabling them to take the important steps needed to best preserve their health.” A press release from March 7 said
the study found that all women who had their blood glucose measured by a healthcare provider were often not told about their risk of developing diabetes. Latinas especially do not have access to care that would allow them to check their blood glucose and their susceptibility to developing prediabetes and diabetes. Silver senior Maria Monica Andia said she wonders how the study’s findings will affect Latinas at NYU and across the country. “Other implications this study could have are revealing the discrepancies in the quality of care that Latinos receive,” Andia said. “I would be interested in seeing how this study affects how Latinos are faring in the [United States] over all ... [and] how the NYU Health Center would respond and if they are doing something to ensure that Latina patients are informed.” CAS sophomore Monica Martinez said the Latino community is under the impression that diabetes is not as pressing as it is. “There’s more of an ‘I’ll deal with it when I get it’ mentality,” Martinez said. “There’s not a lot of focus for prevention.” Martinez added that many people in the Latino community think diabetes is solely a dieting issue. “Not knowing the full scope of the disease and just associating it with a poor diet and being overweight is a problem,” Martinez said. Anjana Sreedhar is a staff writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
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Water week to make first splash at NYU By KAVISH HARJAI
UNICEF@NYU, a group dedicated to educating, advocating and fundraising on behalf of the world’s children, will host NYU Water Week from March 24 to March 28. This year is the first time UNICEF@NYU has hosted the event. The group is partnering with the Gallatin Resource Fund. Water Week will begin with the construction of a water bottle sculpture in the Kimmel Center for University Life and end with an art gala in the Dean’s Conference Room in Gallatin, which will explore the theme of water through art. Events throughout the week include a documentary screening of “Last Call at the Oasis” and a panel discussion led by Vasuki Nesiah, a Gallatin international politics professor. “The Wednesday panel will discuss the film as well as larger questions about the significance of water, the global water crisis, efforts to address it, etc.,” Nesiah said. The panel will feature speakers from the Columbia Water Center and the Earth Institute. There will be an open mic in a makeshift coffee house in the Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life on Thursday. The or-
ganizers will suggest that attendees give a $5 donation in order to benefit water, sanitation and hygiene projects in Cameroon, Mauritania, Togo and Vietnam. The event organizer, Gallatin sophomore Laura Hopkins, said the event is needed to raise awareness about the impending water crisis. “I hope Water Week will wake up our campus about how important water is and how we need to be aware of issues surrounding it,” Hopkins said. “I hope this opens up conversations about what we can do to be a part of increasing access to water and ensuring its safety.” CAS junior Stephano Espinoza said the event will alert students to the severity of the water crisis. “Water is so accessible to us that we often forget this is not the case for many in other countries,” Espinoza said. “Water Week at NYU is needed to remind its students of the responsibility we have to act from our places of privilege to make what ought to be a basic human right, access to water, more accessible to children and their families across the globe.” Kavish Harjai is a news editor. Email him at kharjai@nyunews.com.
COMMENCEMENT continued from PG. 1
Janet Yellen announced as speaker for 182nd NYU commencement
students as they embark on their own careers.” Yellen was elected to be the chair of the Federal Reserve on Jan. 6 by a margin of 56-26 in the U.S. Senate, the narrowest margin in history. In addition to being the first woman to serve as the Fed chair, Yellen was also the first Democratic nominee since 1979. Yellen graduated summa cum laude from Brown University with an undergraduate degree in economics. After Brown, she attended Yale University, earning a doctorate in economics. Steinhardt senior Javon Morris-Byam said he is glad to hear from a speaker who is well informed about the financial atmosphere that graduating students will enter. “As a new batch of students become full-fledged adults, it is almost responsible of NYU to bring in a speaker who knows the truth of the financial situation for a group who is generally graduating wracked with debt and terrified of surviving in the real world,” MorrisByam said. Caitlin Semo, a CAS alumna who graduated in
December and plans to attend commencement, said Yellen inspires her. “The banking and finance industries are the hardest fields to dominate, even as a man,” Semo said. “For her to not only break into but completely dominate that field in such a poised
manner is a testament to what a role model she should be for every girl.” Commencement will take place on May 21 at Yankee Stadium. Additional reporting by Tony Chau. Kavish Harjai is a news editor. Email them at news@nyunews.com.
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Yellen is the first female Federal Reserve chair.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
FEATURES
EDITED BY BRYNA SHUMAN FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
SPRING BREAK TRAVEL DESTINATIONS Boston, Mass. By MADELEINE BALL Boston caters to the college crowd with a slightly lower price tag than New York City. A round-trip ticket with Megabus is under $45 for a weekend and nearly half that during weekdays. The ride is about four hours. Although transportation is easy and inexpensive, try to stay with a friend in the area to save some money. Most hostels, such as Friend Street Hostel and Cafe, start at $35 per night. With a unique and historic past, Boston offers many attractions for visitors with every kind of interest. The Museum of Science and the Museum of Fine Arts are two of the highest-rated in the area. Boston Common and the Public Gardens
are situated downtown and are similar to New York’s Central Park. An authentic Chinatown is also downtown, next to the theater district. If you are looking for a musical experience, bostonconcerts.org provides a guide to the many bands and symphonies on tour that are making stops in Boston. Newbury Street, similar to SoHo, is known for its upscale shopping and boutique finds. Take the subway to Cambridge to see Boston’s hip neighboring city, featuring the Harvard Peabody Museum and college nightlife. Once you are ready to eat, be sure to check out the North End, which is home to some of the best Italian restaurants, such as Mamma Maria. The T, Boston’s subway that costs
Washington, D.C. $2.50 per ride, stops at all of these places. In a city like Boston, with ease of transportation and activities in every corner of the city, you will be able to completely customize your spring break getaway. Madeleine Ball is a contributing writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
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Montreal, Canada By BAILEY EVANS No matter how much you love New York City, sometimes it is best to unwind from New York’s high-strung environment and go out of town, and maybe midterms have left you so stressed that it is time to take a break from the United States entirely. For those who do not have the money to spend on a plane ticket to Europe, consider Montreal, Canada. A round-trip Greyhound ticket to Montreal runs around $130, depending on the day of the week it leaves and returns. Once in Montreal, youth hostels are everywhere, with prices starting at $25 per night for a shared room with 10 other people. The price of the room increases depending on how many people you wish to share it with.
Once your travel logistics are taken care of, you can focus on the best part of a getaway — doing something you could not normally do at home, such as skiing. In Montreal, there is an abundance of places to hit the
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slopes. Check out Mount Royal, the ski spot located near downtown Montreal that has a beautiful park with plenty of wildlife. Also located in downtown Montreal are several dance clubs. For a wallet-friendly and popular club, try Le Rouge, open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. The entrance age for the majority of clubs in Montreal is 18 — as is the drinking age for all of the Quebec province. Although you will be on vacation, remember that it is also winter in Canada right now, so you certainly will not be escaping the cold. It is typically 15 to 20 degrees colder than New York City right now, so dress warmly, relax and enjoy what Montreal has to offer. Bailey Evans is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
Beacon, N.Y. By HELEN OWOLABI Just an 80-minute train ride from Grand Central Terminal, Beacon, N.Y., home to the largest museum of contemporary art, Dia:Beacon, is a great option for a spring break getaway. This Hudson Valley town has become a renowned destination for New York City art lovers with dozens of art galleries that
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sprung up after Dia:Beacon’s opening 10 years ago. The sprawling museum of almost 300,000 square-feet houses a vast collection of contemporary art dating back to the 1960s, with installations from highly celebrated artists such as Andy Warhol and Richard Serra. The museum is open Friday through Monday and, because of the need for natural lighting in most of their galleries, is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Imi Knoebel’s “24 Colors—for Blinky” is on display, featuring a cycle of 21 differently shaped works of art. Other must-see exhibits are Warhol’s “Shadows,” a metaphysical approach to using shadows as a subject, and Michael Heizer’s “North, East, South, West,” comprising works that incorporate geometry, architecture and voids. Aside from exploring the expansive museum, the town of Beacon
has many dining, entertainment and art options just a half-mile walk from the museum. If you still have not had your fill of art, check out Beacon’s mile-long Main Street, featuring dozens of notable galleries like Fovea Exhibitions and Hudson Beach Glass on its western end. All along Main Street are quaint cafes, coffee shops and restaurants like Homespun Foods, the Piggy Bank Restaurant and Cafe Amarcord. Or, for a quick bite to take on your train ride home, Yogo Waffle or Chill Wine Bar are both excellent choices. To start your trip to Beacon, N.Y., Metro-North Railroad offers a $35.25 package deal for a roundtrip rail ticket from Grand Central to Beacon Station as well as a ticket for Dia:Beacon as a part of their oneday getaway offers. Helen Owolabi is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
By DAVID BOLOGNA Washington, D.C. is best known for its long-standing historical and national significance, but a quick spring break day trip could help you uncover more of the city’s fun. Traveling expenses are a bit of a splurge but are manageable, with one-way bus rides costing around $20. For a cheaper option, wake up early and take a 6:30 a.m. Megabus, ranging from $13 to $20. Check out the many free attractions to see in D.C., like the Phillips Collection. Located in Dupont Circle, the Phillips Collection is America’s first modern art museum and is free Tuesday to Friday. While in Dupont Circle, stop at the famous Hank’s Oyster Bar for delicious seafood, treat yourself at Zorba’s Cafe for a Greek dessert or even go green with the gluten-free and veganfriendly restaurant Sweetgreen. See a play for little to no money with the Woolly Mam-
moth Theatre Company’s paywhat-you-can seats offered during the first two performances of every show, which are usually on Mondays or Tuesdays. Finally, there is never a better time to overlook our nation’s beautiful architectural sites, so head down to the National Mall to see the Lincoln Memorial and other monuments. David Bologna is a staff writer. Email him at features@nyunews.com.
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ARTS
EDITED BY CLIO MCCONNELL ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM TAKE continued from PG. 1
‘Take Me Back’ proves relatable for all audiences uses the kitschy and somewhat washed-out abode as a reflection of Bill’s bleak personality. In the center of the stage, there is an old-fashioned television set playing game show reruns, turned on even before the play has begun, perfectly encompassing Bill and Sue’s desperate situation. The cast’s performances subtly highlight the melancholy truth of the American Dream being no more than just a dream. The high-energy, passionately raw performances make it easy for the audience to relate and sympathize with the characters. In particular, the strained mother-son relationship between Bill and Sue is examined beautifully, emphasizing that both characters want what is best for one another, but just do not see eye to eye. Their interactions are both endearing and heart-breaking, and they are portrayed in such a believable manner that most people will see the situation reflected in
their everyday lives. The actors’ portrayals were comfortable, truthful and natural, vitalizing the play’s dismal subject matter. Despite the dark nature of the play, Schwend’s writing is incredibly comical in an honest yet macabre way. Relationships are explored humorously, making light of tense, awkward situations that would otherwise be very grim. The juxtaposition of Bill’s life — described before and after his jail time — is written in a tragically authentic manner that underlines the flawed, unaccepting ways of modern American society. The melancholic and somewhat sardonic note of “Take Me Back” has something that everyone can relate to or learn from. “Take Me Back” is playing at Walkerspace, 46 Walker St., through March 22.
New Metronomy LP lacks polish By PETER SLATTERY
U.K.-based band Metronomy released their fourth studio album, “Love Letters,” on March 10. This latest effort from the alternative-electronic group trades the clean, synth-based pop of previous album “The English Riviera” for fuzzier sounds. While a bold departure, the retro gimmick falls flat, making “Love Letters” a mediocre listen. Sonically, “Love Letters” leans toward psychedelic and glam rock, but the album generally sounds like it is running on fumes. “Love Letters” ditches the idea of synth-based
Joseph Myers is a staff writer. Email him at theater@nyunews.com.
SPEED continued from PG. 1
Humor, Aaron Paul make ‘Speed’ worth the ride canyon with a helicopter and two steel cables. Despite cheesy dialogue and two-dimensional characters, the talented actors do their best to save the material. In addition to Paul, Imogen Poots brings some magnetism to her generic character, a car-savvy sidekick on Tobey’s quest for vengeance. Tobey’s team of gearheads, played by Kid Cudi, Ramon Rodriguez and Rami Malek, genuinely feel like long-time buddies during their banter. Though Cooper’s performance is not nearly as strong as the others, he manages to keep his character level and avoids becoming the mustachetwirling villain he easily could have been. As the eccentric host of the Deleon Race, even Michael Keaton, for all of his over-the-top antics, has his moments. Combine these performances with some impressive high-octane
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racing scenes along with a bit of humor, “Need for Speed” works on the level of an entertaining B movie, despite its multimilliondollar budget. Director Scott Waugh’s choice to avoid the use of computergenerated images during the racing scenes in favor of practical stunts makes “Need for Speed” feel like a throwback to the classic car films from the ’60s and ’70s. The only fundamental issue not related to the film’s Bmovie quality is the 130-minute runtime, which could have been trimmed down significantly. The best way to watch this film would be on a weekend with your friends after a long week of work. And, if you find yourself hooting and hollering at the screen, do not be ashamed — the film practically begs for it. Zachary Grullon is a staff writer. Email him at film@nyunews.com.
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Metronomy has been known for its synth-based pop.
pop — which has been Metronomy’s modus operandi — entirely, in favor of a mellow ’60s or ’70s pop rock B-side, and the effect is boring. The power of “The English Riviera” was centered around crisp beats, electro synths and powerful building melodies — it sounded like fresh, lo-fi electronic music with retro flavor. The production of “Love Letters” ditches this dichotomy completely, bringing foggy disco vibes to the forefront with disastrous results. The latest album often dumps the synths and drum machines that drove “The English Riviera” into filters and fuzz, completely removing their power. To compensate, Metronomy brings lead singer Joseph Mount’s vocals to the forefront, but his uninspiring and sometimes even grating voice fails to carry the project. Translating Metronomy’s simple synth and drum machine melodies into rock instrumentation sounds more flimsy than subtle. Simple melodies were successful on “The English Riviera” because of the polished, mechanical sound — “Everything Goes My Way” and “The Look” sounded like well-oiled machines playing funk. New tracks like “The Upsetter” and “Monstrous” sound as
if those same machines are now dusty and infused with cough syrup — groggy, numb and boring. The whole album sounds under-produced, more of a rough draft than a fourth studio album. However, “Love Letters” does hit a few high notes. Despite its failures, Metronomy’s latest album may be the band’s best written release. Mount explores themes of emotional distance, dispassion and depression with some simple but truly touching words. “We should never say that we drifted far/We should take a trip to the reservoir/Heartbeats drifting together,” he sings in “Reservoir.” Song to song, Mount clings numbly to a love he is not even sure he wants anymore. This interesting theme of internal conflict is explored excellently in simple words, and it is a shame that the corresponding sound falls so flat. Though well-written, “Love Letters” has little sonic soul and drags almost immediately. A few oddball experiments like “I’m Aquarius” and “Reservoir” might resonate with listeners, but “Love Letters” is a forgettable effort that utterly lacks the punchy sound that made “The English Riviera” a hit. Peter Slattery is a staff writer. Email him at music@nyunews.com.
‘Cold Lands’ only looks good By NOMUNDARI BAATAR
“The Cold Lands,” directed by Tom Gilroy, tells the comingof-age story of young Atticus (Silas Yelich) who lives in a world of his own. He is homeschooled, is more intelligent than his peers and has survival skills, which his self-sufficient mother who believes that they can only rely on themselves to navigate the harsh currents of life taught him. So when his mother (Lili Taylor) suddenly dies, Atticus is left to cope alone and does something any normal teenager would — he runs away to the forest. Isolated from the world, Atticus’ subconscious presents the image of his mother to guide and advise him in his travels. There begins Atticus’ journey of self-discovery that involves escaping from the police, living off the land and even breaking into someone’s house to steal supplies. While making his way through the woods, Atticus meets a wandering laborer named Carter (Peter Scanavino) and warily joins him in his nomadic lifestyle on the road. Gilroy, who also produced the film, manages to transport the viewer into Atticus’ world and portrays vivid scenes that transform what would have
been a cliché film into something that is gorgeously and tastefully made. Shots of Atticus’ adventures in the forest do not make it seem as if he is alone at all — the forest fills up the frames. Gilroy successfully conveys his characters’ feelings through his camera style, but the actors’ performances cannot compare to the beautiful scenery and strong direction. While Atticus is meant to be bold and selfdependent, Yelich’s movements and conversations are too robotic to be convincing. Taylor delivers an enjoyable performance as a tough single mom, but her death is abrupt and unforeseen and her presence is missed throughout the rest of the film. Scanavino gives a more credible portrayal as Carter, an independent pothead who lives on the road and maintains his lifestyle by making and selling jewelry, serving as a haunting vision of Atticus’ future. The film also has many plot holes that should not have been overlooked. Some elements recur a few times throughout the movie but are never fully elaborated on. For example, Atticus’ tendency to steal, his mother’s hatred of the government and an unlocked house
full of useful equipment are never explained well enough to feel like natural developments in the story. The film leaves the audience with an absent feeling, whether it is the acting or the underdeveloped writing. What really saves it is the imagery and thoughtful shots that leave viewers wanting more. All in all, “The Cold Lands” is a visually beautiful film with mediocre acting and a sparse plot that leaves viewers out in the cold. Nomundari Baatar is a contributing writer. Email her at film@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF CINEREACH PRODUCTIONS
Silas Yelich plays the self-sufficient character of Atticus.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
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THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU Crossword ACROSS 1 Report of a shooting 5 Brunch offerings, for short 8 Affected to a greater extent 14 Home of ancient Greek scholars 15 Google result 16 Civic alternatives 18 *Blubbered? 20 What a nod may mean 21 “Wouldn’t miss it!” 22 Cone origin 23 Heartbreak, e.g. 24 Home of El Greco 25 *What happened after Mr. Onassis contacted A.A.A.? 27 Reputation, on the street 28 Kind of sum 30 Aero- completer 31 Washington ___ (N.Y.C. neighborhood)
32 “That can’t be good!” 33 Maligned 35 *Imaginary overthrow of the government? 37 Robin Hood and others 40 “Mad Men” star Jon 41 Jim Bakker’s ___ Club 44 Place to get clean 45 Title heroine described in the first lines of her novel as “handsome, clever and rich” 46 Not at all chipper 47 *Give a Dust Bowl migrant a ride? 50 Director Christopher and actor Lloyd 52 1998 Sarah McLachlan song 53 First name in ice cream 54 Bank numbers 55 Not mind
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE R E H A B S
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57 Language that gave us the words heard phonetically in the answers to the starred clues 58 Motivate 59 Back 60 Third person 61 Prepared for a long drive, with “up” 62 Part of a gym set 63 Roman foes DOWN 1 Enchant 2 Gravely ill: Fr. 3 Gets snug 4 Ripped with a knife 5 “Here we go again!” 6 Agree 7 Messy spot 8 PC data format 9 Major alteration of a business structure, for short 10 Old cable inits. 11 Warning to the unwary 12 Kind of set 13 Quickly sought safety, in a way 17 Fretted 19 Multivolume set, for short 22 Get too much sun, colloquially 25 Condition treated with Adderall, in brief 26 Theater 29 Red state handouts? 32 Words always preceding a date
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33 Source of ill-gotten gains
38 Something taken from a meter
46 Boil for a short time
34 Kind of shop
39 Teacher/ astronaut McAuliffe
48 Extra-large
41 Level off
51 “… ___ close second”
35 Exodus figures 36 “Alas!” 37 Business establishment where customers can make a killing?
42 Catches on the radio
49 Typed (in)
54 Zoo keeper?
43 Eases
56 Clear tables
45 One from Berlin
57 Shock
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NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY PETER KEFFER OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
ADAM’S ANGLE
Actions in Ukraine threaten Russia economy By ADAM FAZLIBEGU
It is easy to accept the false notion that all is well under Putin’s leadership considering his domestic approval rating has improved since the Olympics and the Ukraine crisis. But the Russian economy has already seen the negative effects of Putin’s intervention in Ukraine — its stock market is struggling — and the situation will only worsen with time. Potential sanctions would cripple the already sluggish Russian economy, which is dependent on its gas exports. Worse still, Putin’s actions are galvanizing European countries to substitute Russia with another natural gas exporter or look toward alternative energy sources. Russia’s economy is stalling. The ruble is one of the weakest currencies of 2014 and has fallen nearly 3 percent against the U.S. dollar in recent months, prompting the Russian central bank to increase its interest rate to 7 percent. Last year, both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank downgraded their Russian growth projections to under 2 percent, advising diversification
away from oil. Between a weak ruble and an unstable stock market, Russia’s economy looks bleak. The worst is yet to come. Putin has ignored the international community and faces looming sanctions. Current sanctions have targeted individuals and small entities instead of major companies, as Western players are wary of the economic harm more serious restrictions would have on them — the interruption of Russian exports hurts Western nations, too. However, if Putin refuses to negotiate and sanctions on gas exports strengthen, Russia will have the most to lose. Russia has used its position as one of the world’s largest energy exporters to control Ukraine in the past. Its national gas company Gazprom, which withheld exports to Ukraine in 2006 and 2009, is now threatening to
increase prices in the region. While leveraging Russia’s bargaining power may increase Putin’s temporary influence in Ukraine, it can only hurt Russia in the long run. Russia’s aggressive trade behavior has motivated its gas trade partners to look for alternatives, and the recent events in Ukraine may be the tipping point. If the rest of Europe also turns to alternative gas suppliers, the effect on Russia could be profound. In fact, the United States has seen a boom in natural gas with the advent of hydraulic fracking and could be ready for large-scale export to Europe in the near future. Putin’s continued disregard for international counsel is motivating Europe, especially Ukraine, to explore other sources for natural gas. Unless Putin decides to heed the warnings of Western nations, the damage inflicted on Russia’s economy will only increase. Putin should seriously consider the future of the Russian economy before plotting his next move. Adam Fazlibegu is a staff columnist. Adam’s Angle is published every Thursday. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
VITTORIO’S RAZOR
Venezuela should loosen controls on oil By VITTORIO BISIN
Violent protests have erupted in the western Venezuelan states of Tachira and Merida in the past month in response to an attempted student rape. In the weeks since, the demonstrations have spread throughout the entire country. These protests are the country’s largest in over a decade, having already claimed 22 lives and resulted in hundreds of arrests. Unfortunately, they are showing no sign of slowing down. Preceding the attempted rape, widespread shortages — notably food — and high crime rates led to rumblings of unrest. At the root of the problem, however, is the country’s economic disarray, induced by soaring inflation and the failure of President Hugo Chávez’s social programs. Under Chávez, similar protests plagued the country between 2002 and 2004. Unlike the current president, Chávez was able to regain control of the country thanks to a sudden boost in oil prices. Venezuela, a member of the oil cartel Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, is largely reliant on its enormous oil reserves. The state-owned company
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Petróleos de Venezuela accounts for 96 percent of the foreign earnings of the country. In an attempt to reclaim popularity following the nationwide protests, Chávez implemented numerous Cuban-influenced social programs called “Chavismo.” The Economist published an article last month titled “The Party is Over,” a reference to the economies of both Venezuela and Argentina. With Venezuela’s debt and inflation currently pushing 56.2 percent, President Nicolás Maduro, who succeeded Chávez after his death in March 2013, is running out of funds to pay the government’s debts and finance its social programs. Moreover, Transparency International ranked Venezuela as the 160th most corrupt of 177 countries in 2013, which indicates that the country has deep-seeded problems. The protesters are not yet demanding a new government. Rather, they
are calling for the restoration of basic democratic norms. It seems that Maduro has two options — continue to violently suppress those he refers to as “fascist” protesters while waiting for another increase in oil prices to bolster his case, or move away from his predecessor’s dictatorial regime and launch an open dialogue with the protesters. Even if he moves away from authoritative governing, which he should, Maduro must still address the country’s economic downturn. Loosening government control over the oil industry and allowing room for foreign involvement could improve Venezuela’s economy. That is, without the large injection of money foreign investors provide to increase oil production, Venezuela’s economic crisis will continue. Maduro must embrace a diplomatic approach to solving his country’s problems, both domestically with protesters and internationally with investors, in order to keep the party going. Vittorio Bisin is a staff columnist. Vittorio’s Razor is published every Thursday. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Wall Street must not endorse self-absorption
As President Barack Obama’s motorcade sped down Broadway to visit a Gap store in Midtown to congratulate the firm’s decision to raise the minimum wage on Tuesday, business employees only a few miles downtown on Wall Street were clearly not paying attention. Despite Obama’s best efforts to improve income inequality throughout the nation — he made it a keystone of his State of the Union address — a new report released by the New York State Comptroller’s Office uncovered that Wall Street firms raised bonuses by an average of 15 percent last year for a cumulative total of $26.7 billion — a sum large enough to double the salary for all of America’s workforce currently earning minimum wage. In an attempt to raise the average standard of living, Obama augmented the minimum wage for federal employees from $7.25 to $10.10 per hour by executive action. The legislation to bring the wage increase to all U.S. employees is expected to be brought to the Senate for a vote in coming weeks. Republicans, supported by large corporations that claim raising the minimum wage will decrease the number of low-wage jobs available, protest the legislation. Considering the rate at which this Congress has approved legislation, the bill’s passage seems unlikely. When thinking about a minimum wage worker, most people conjure up an image of a teenager working a summer job for extra cash. In reality, that is far from the truth. The average age of a minimum wage worker is 35. Raising the wage would benefit 16.4 million low-wage workers and address the growing income gap in America. The divide, which has been growing since the 1970s, has reached heights not witnessed since the late 1920s. Such inequality is not a localized problem — it is apparent nationwide. Wall Street deserves much of the blame for the fiscal crisis and the ensuing income inequality. Obama is expected to announce a proposal to overhaul the system of overtime pay today, furthering his already commendable efforts at curbing inequality. However, if Wall Street continues to award bonuses to undeserving executives, Obama’s attempts at reform will be thwarted. Goldman Sachs recently awarded its CEO — the same one who brought the banking system to the brink of collapse in 2008 — $14.7 million in stock bonuses, and it is not alone in its exorbitance. With income inequality at its highest since the Great Depression, Obama must use his ability as a powerful communicator to spotlight the struggles of ordinary Americans and demonstrate that these reckless actions of Wall Street will not be tolerated. Because Congress seems reluctant to cooperate with minimum wage reform, Wall Street shareholders must step up, holding the actions of their employees accountable and not endorsing such self-absorption.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Peter Keffer (Chair), Christina Coleburn (Co-chair), Omar Etman (Co-chair), Nina Golshan (Co-chair)
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
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NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SPORTS
EDITED BY FRANCISCO NAVAS SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Four teams clinch spot in UEFA quarterfinals
By MICHELLE TRAN
Four teams have punched their ticket to the quarterfinal round of the UEFA Champions League thus far, taking one step closer to the tournament’s final stage in Lisbon, Portugal. Bundesliga team Bayern Munich and English Premier League team Arsenal faced off March 11, ending in a 1-1 draw. With a 3-1 aggregate over the Gunners after an earlier 2-0 victory in London, the German club advanced to the next stage of the knockout rounds. This season, Bayern welcomed former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola as their new general manager and have had a stellar season since his arrival. Bayern has not lost in 48 games in the Bundesliga. Guardiola’s fast-paced passing game has translated on the field for Bayern, and will perhaps lead the Germans to consecutive Champions League titles. With Philipp Lahm and Rafinha hold-
ing a strong presence in the back and Franck Ribery in the midfield feeding passes forward to Bastian Schweinsteiger, Guardiola’s tactics have succeeded. Another team to advance into the quarters is Spanish Primera team Atletico Madrid, which ousted their Italian opponents AC Milan in an easy 4-1 victory (5-1 aggregate). For the Spanish club, this is the first time in 17 years they have secured a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals. Atletico deservedly earned a spot with their aggressive offense, led by Spanish forward Diego Costa. AC Milan’s outspoken forward Mario Balotelli could not respond to Atletico’s onslaught of goals, leaving his own future at the Italian club up in the air after the disastrous loss. Rumors have been circulating about Balotelli’s imminent transfer out of Milan. FC Barcelona will also be joining their fellow Spaniards, beating Manchester City by a score
of 2-1 on Wednesday (4-1 aggregate). After a scoreless first half, the Argentinian national Lionel Messi netted the first goal of the game in the second half for Barca. Man City’s Vincent Kompany tied the game in the 88th minute, but it was too little too late for the English club. Even if the game ended in a draw, Barcelona still would have advanced, holding a 3-1 aggregate. Dani Alves would not settle for a tie with the Blues, scoring a 90th-minute goal for good measure. Despite ceding their number one spot to rivals Real Madrid in La Liga, Barcelona looks to reclaim their world-class ranking as they advance within the Champions League tournament. The last team to solidify their spot in the quarterfinals this week is Ligue 1 French club, Paris Saint Germain. PSG defeated Bundesliga team Bayer Leverkusen in a solid 2-1 victory, ending with an overall goal aggregate of
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Barca celebrates their victory over Manchester City. 6-1. PSG, having acquired all-star forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, have had a season of consistent highscoring victories in Ligue 1 and in the UEFA tournament. Having already come in with a 4-0 win over the Germans in the first leg of the contest, PSG happily garnered a
spot in the quarter finals, awaiting their next matches. Next week, the other eight teams will compete to secure their spots in the quarterfinal round. Michelle Tran is a staff writer. Email her at sports@nyunews.com.