NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 42, No. 48
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014
TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL coverage on pages 4-5
BOULEVARD - COURTESY OF CAMELLIA ENTERTAINMENT | CHEF - COURTESY OF OPEN ROAD FILMS | LIFE PARTNERS - COURTESY OF HAVEN ENTERTAINMENT TIME IS ILLMATIC - COURTESY OF TRIBECA FILM INSTITUTE | PALO ALTO - COURTESY OF RABBIT BANDINI PRODUCTIONS
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student poems
Editor-in-Chief NICOLE BROWN Managing Editor
MICHAEL DOMANICO Assistant Managing Editors
DII D ON NO YS SY US S U IRONY DIONYSUS I found him buried in a planter growing from the dirt like a vine. I just wanted to let you know, he said, I just wanted to let you know that if I hadn’t been so self-loathing I would have kissed you. He smiles, staring until I step closer, give him a chance to put his lips on mine. I can’t even taste him but my cheeks bloom.
The next night he’s sober, he’s dancing, he’s a tremor, a 3.4 on the Richter scale. His jaw juts as he bites his lower lip and when he looks at me I am a sock left to dry on the edge of the bath, a cornhusk puckering under hot tight sky. After wine, he puts arms around me pushes his head to my chest. Later, he smashes grapes with bared toes. Juice pools on the sidewalk, stains my cheeks.
Stella Cabot-Wilson, Gallatin sophomore
IRONY
MYD DYM DEAD DAED FRIIRF END DNE MY DEAD FRIEND
TATIANA BAEZ JONATHAN KESHISHOGLOU Creative Director
CICEK EREL
Creative Director, Special Editions
LYANNE NATIVIDAD SENIOR STAFF
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,
LAVYA YALAMANCHI senior editors TONY CHAU, ARIANA DIVALENTINO, MICHELLE LIM, STEFAN MELNYK, NEELA QADIR, DANIEL YEOM
I sit on the swings with my dead friend,
DEPUTY STAFF
it’s normal, we’re happy, we talk about March
DUQUE BOJANINI, SCOTT MULLEN books/theater DYLAN JARRETT film IFE OLUJOBI entertainment BOB TEOH music JAKE FOLSOM the highlighter blog MARISSA ELLIOT LITTLE features HANNAH TREASURE beauty & style DANA RESZUTEK violet vision blog GIANNA COLLIER-PITTS dining CHANDLER WEST sports CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO multimedia HANNAH LUU, LAWRENCE WU video ALEX LINZMEIER
Madness, then I feel the pain of his sickness
come over me slowly because I’m the sick one
now, my body attacking itself, white blood cell count increasing too quickly, I don’t know anything
else, is Vesuvius going to erupt inside of me, can
I still eat junk food, will I ever fall in love, is there a heaven, am I already there, will my dead
friend follow me away from the swings, away
from sickness, back into seventh grade history class where he tickles my back until I squeal, we get in trouble, have to stay after school, clean
the desks, pick up scraps of paper that we
leave so that we can be together longer, don’t
have to go home and be alone with our premature sadness. Colin Drohan, CAS sophomore
The whistles and yells from outside,
IRONY are either fascist or anti-fascist, I can’t tell.
When I called my father
The policeman says neither,
he was watching Lethal Weapon,
“they’re just anti-state” as he drinks his café normale.
my mother slept,
The barretto usually empty,
my little brother lit a second Chanukah candle,
save for the Moroccan selling scarves and lighters outside
while Mel Gibson cocked pistols, before
is now full. Their orders for cafe machiato and cafe lungo,
his future outbursts.
stimulating the very state that they loathe,
My father did not see the irony, although I tried to explain.
they are unaware of the irony, as I laugh and roll a cigarette.
Andreas Petrossiants, GLS sophomore
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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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Recent string of robberies affects NYU campus
By MARITA VLACHOU
Students are at risk of having their property stolen when they are in coffee shops or restaurants near NYU’s campus. Wallets, laptops and bags have been taken since February. This month alone there have been four thefts. Stern freshman Aayush Gupta had his backpack stolen during spring break at Argo Tea on University Place. The backpack contained his laptop as well as other personal belongings. “I arrived at the shop, ordered my drink, found a table to sit at, heard my name called for the order, ran over to grab the drink and the bag was gone within seconds,” Gupta said. NYU spokesman Philip Lentz said the university makes numerous effort to raise awareness about robbery. “Public Safety has long used the ‘Tag it’ program, where Public Safety officers put stickers on
AVITAL GLIBICKY/WSN
Leaving personal items out in the open can invite theft. unaccompanied laptops to warn students of the danger of leaving their property unattended,” Lentz said. “It also displays awareness messages on library monitors.” Public Safety, in partnership with individual schools and Student Life, also provides presentations and training for students on how they can stay safe and pro-
City receives grant to fight pedestrian deaths By RAHUL KRISHNAMOORTHY
New York City received an $800,000 federal grant on April 25 as part of a campaign to combat the increasing number of pedestrian deaths and injuries. The grant, the largest of three such awards given out nationwide from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration as part of the Everyone is a Pedestrian campaign, came at the same time Mayor Bill de Blasio implemented the “Vision Zero” plan. “Vision Zero” is meant to increase traffic law enforcement and implement more regulations affecting motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike — including a crack-down on jaywalking — with the end goal of reducing citywide traffic safety-related fatalities to zero by the year 2024. In recent years, pedestrian deaths have risen, even as overall trafficrelated mortalities have declined. The NHTSA reported that pedestrians accounted for 47 percent of all New York City traffic-related mortalities in their most recent study in 2012. By increasing enforcement in high-crash areas throughout the city, the grant will combat reckless motorist behaviors such as speeding and failing to yield at pedestrian crosswalks. The money will also fuel an awareness campaign through social media venues. According to an April 25 press release from the NHTSA, the campaign targets the demographic most heavily involved in pedestrian crashes both as victims and perpetrators — young men. Tisch sophomore Raul Carvajal has witnessed first-hand the dangers of poor traffic safety enforcement. Having been the victim of a hit-and-run accident last year, Carvajal said he hopes more resources will decrease accidents.
tect their property in the city. Despite those efforts, NYU has not sent any emails alerting students about the recent theft incidents. “We are aware of the risk that sending frequent alerts for thefts could desensitize students to alerts about more serious incidents,” Lentz said. LS sophomore Samantha Chong
“I was following the legal procedure when walking across the street… but was still struck,” Carvajal said. “I feel like this ‘Vision Zero’ initiative will be of great benefit to the city and its inhabitants.” But opinions on heightened traffic law enforcement around NYU are mixed. Tisch senior Hannah Kallenbach said she was concerned about the potential for jaywalking to be penalized in a heightened enforcement environment. “In the area of our campus, people like to cross whenever they want to cross,” Kallenbach said. “I think most of the time it’s our fault when people’s cars hit us, because most of the time they’re going like two miles an hour. If anything, I think it could benefit motorists.” CAS junior Komal Sahi, however, found the idea of an increase in traffic law enforcement around campus promising for cyclists. She said she hopes the grant makes it safer for pedestrians to navigate the streets. “Ultimately it sounds like it will be helpful, especially at night because the visibility isn’t that good by the park, where there aren’t enough streetlights,” Sahi said. “And more enforcement on cyclists obeying the laws would definitely help — they can get out of hand. But on the whole, I think it will be helpful to the NYU community.” NYU spokesman Philip Lentz said that while de Blasio’s plan does not directly affect NYU students, he hopes “Vision Zero” meets its goal. “If the mayor’s initiative can help ensure that our community never has to lose one of its members to a traffic accident, we would be deeply grateful,” Lentz said. Rahul Krishnamoorthy is a staff writer. Email him at news@nyunews.com.
said NYU should send an alert about the recent string of robberies. “On one hand we should obviously be taking better care of ourselves because we’re adults, but on the other hand these things do really affect the students,” Chong said. “NYU is a community, and doesn’t community mean looking out for one another?” In cases of theft on campus, the university carries out a procedure that involves an investigation after students report any incidents. “When theft of property on campus is reported to NYU Public Safety, we gather information and immediately offer to assist in connecting the victim with NYPD,” Lentz said. “We also initiate our own investigation, interviewing witnesses and reviewing video footage of the area where the theft occurred.” As part of any investigation, NYU issues alerts to all officers to be on the lookout for persons matching the description of any
suspects. If a suspect is identified, NYU shares the images with the New York Police Department. CAS freshman Andre Tan said he is careful to keep his belongings close when he is in public. “I don’t think somebody would easily be able to sneak something from my backpack without me noticing, but I’m sure that’s what the victims of this thief also thought before they were robbed,” Tan said. “I’ll probably pay a little bit more attention to my belongings while I’m out and about in the city after hearing about this thief.” Gupta said he is satisfied with NYU public safety procedures, but he added that students should be mindful of their surroundings. “As secure and comfortable we’d like to feel in our university environment, we have to be interminably cautious,” Gupta said. Marita Vlachou is a staff writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
Innovate NY holds first panel By CHRISTINE PARK
A diverse group of professors explored innovation in their respective fields at the first Innovate New York panel. The event, held on April 29 at the Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life, was hosted by the Undergraduate Affairs Committee of the Student Senators Council and the University Committee on Student Life. The panel featured CAS professor Daniel Lerner, Steinhardt professor Joe Salvatore and Wagner professor Ellen McGrath. CAS senior Victoria Ettorre, the president of the CAS Student Council, explained that the panel was meant to be applicable for students in all schools and disciplines. “The purpose of the event is to show that innovation can happen at multiple platforms,” Ettorre said. “Having the panelists come from different schools within NYU shows that students can enact change in whatever field they wish to pursue.” Panelists shared personal experiences in their fields, allowing the attendees to gain an insight on education, future employment and the complications of success. Salvatore, a professor in Steinhardt’s Educational Theater department, introduced positive psychology and its relationship to achievement. Salvatore said success involves well-being as well as hard work. “There are a lot of people out there that are great at what they do — musicians, athletes — but there is a distinction between being great and being happy and great,” Salvatore said. Lerner, who teaches the Science of Happiness, gave her
WARD PETTIBONE FOR WSN
Professors Salvatore, McGrath and Lerner discuss innovation. definition of innovation. “Innovation is really about integrating existing roads to align with what your interests and passions are,” Lerner said. McGrath, who also teaches in the Stern School of Business and is a clinical psychologist, said innovation is a necessary skill to have. “We see innovation as life and blood, it is a necessity,” McGrath said. “You have to have innovative skills and capacity to go out and do whatever you plan to do.” Salvatore said people tend to think more about negative results than positive outcomes. When students were asked if they focused more on an A or C grade, most students said they noticed C grades more. “The grade is what dictates, or tells us what we’ve learned when in actuality the grade is only one
kind of quantitative measurement of certain moments in time over an experience that doesn’t really reflect what one has learned,” Salvatore said. Stern sophomore Rohit Mittal said he thinks the goal of the event was to teach students that they can learn outside of the classroon. “You can [be] innovative [outside of ] business,” Mittal said. “It’s more of execution, not just an idea.” CAS senior Lindsay Herz said she enjoyed hearing from Lerner and Salvatore. “Both of them really inspire me, and they both are studying things that I’m interested in,” Herz said referring to her studies in psychology and educational theater. Christine Park is a contributing writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
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TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL
REVIEW
‘life partners’ explores ‘chef’ cooks up honest comedy friendship, selfish love By DANIEL LIEBERSON
By ALEX MUJICA In a sea of coming-of-age stories, “Life Partners” manages to be refreshing. Incorporating the right amount of humor and heartbreak, it becomes a story that is charmingly relatable instead of alienating. One of the funnier narrative films at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, director Susanna Fogel’s “Life Partners” follows best friends Sasha (Leighton Meester) and Paige (Gillian Jacobs), who have spent most of their 20s more invested in their friendship than in significant others. Like many girls in their 20s, the two friends spend their time together mocking reality television shows like “America’s Next Top Model” and decoding vague text messages from potential lovers. While Sasha and Paige are not in love the way most people want to be at this stage in life, their friendship quells their anxiety about growing up. However, when Paige starts to date nerdy doctor Tim (Adam Brody), Sasha feels increasingly cast aside. While Jacobs and Brody give worthy performances in their roles, Meester’s character is the heart of the film. A receptionist who claims to be an aspiring musician, Sasha is a
Q&A
COURTESY OF RABBIT BANDINI PRODUCTIONS
James Franco stars in “Palo Alto,” an adaptation of his short story collection.
29-year-old gay woman who is unwilling to confront the fact that she has not found her path in life. While celebrating her birthday with Paige, Sasha sheds tears as she confesses how she wishes she could be 21 again, when it was okay to be lost. Sasha’s issues bleed into her love life, where she always manages to be with the wrong girl because her immature behavior attracts immature lovers. The single source of happiness in Sasha’s life is her friendship with Paige, and it is painful to watch her adjust to no longer being the only important person in Paige’s life. “Partners” exposes the hard selfish truth — no one wants to share the person they love most. While the strain in their relationship causes heartache for both Sasha and Paige, it also gives them the opportunity for self-reflection. As they undergo their own experiences and epiphanies, the ultimate question is whether growing up necessarily means growing apart. Heartfelt acting combined with an intelligent handling of comedy, drama and relationships make the film a truly enjoyable watch. Alex Mujica is a staff writer. Email her at film@nyunews.com.
Audience members will smile from the beginning scenes of “Chef” and they may not know why. The situation is tense — the protagonist, chef Carl Gaspare, is stressed from his restaurant job, recently divorced and struggling to connect with his son. Despite this plotline, the film’s writer-director Jon Favreau approaches all of these obstacles with a certain engaging comedic charm and sincerity. Favreau, who also plays Carl, takes viewers for a ride when one of Los Angeles’ most prestigious chefs almost has his career ruined after a popular critic rips apart his unimaginative menu. As the restaurant’s owner (Dustin Hoffman) continues to forbid him from exploring his creative impulses, Carl quits the job. But outside of the kitchen, Carl faces further problems involving his gorgeous ex-wife (Sofia Vergara) and his young son (Emjay Anthony). In need of a fresh start, Carl opens a food truck with the help of his son. A heartfelt but predictable story ensues, exploring Carl’s reinvigorated zeal for cuisine and the realization that family is perhaps the
COURTESY OF OPEN ROAD FILMS
Director Jon Favreau also stars in his film as chef Carl Gaspare. most important thing of all. “Chef” primarily sets out to be a feel-good movie, and it succeeds in that respect. Despite Carl’s inflated ego, the audience roots for his comeback, as do his two colleagues and closest friends, played by the hilarious Bobby Cannavale and John Leguizamo. Short, hysterical cameos give the film extra life, including one with Robert Downey Jr., who plays his typical nonchalant narcissist as the ex-husband of Carl’s ex-wife. As pleasant as the film is, there are some foundational shortcomings that detract from its poten-
tial. Several characters are introduced without being fleshed out, making it difficult for the film to focus on a single plotline. In one of the more bizarre subplots, Carl invites the restaurant’s hostess (Scarlett Johansson) back to his apartment, where, instead of hooking up with Carl, she watches him cook pasta, making facial expressions of deep sexual lust. Aside from reminding Carl to spend more quality time with his son, Johansson’s character disappears from Carl’s life, making it seem like her only purpose was to flaunt Favreau’s celebrity connections. Vergara reaches more serious and mature dimensions with her small role in “Chef” than she is able to do in “Modern Family,” but her appearance still seems more like celebrity stunt casting than a careful artistic selection. “Chef” is a celebration of food, family and individual creativity. Favreau’s delightful film is a perfect summer flick and one of the best comedies of the year — it even won the Heineken Audience Award at the Tribeca Film Festival, which could easily signify a future of public and critical success. Daniel Lieberson is a staff writer. Email him at film@nyunews.com.
panel discusses james franco adaptation By MOHAMED HASSAN and IFE OLUJOBI Gia Coppola makes her directorial debut with “Palo Alto,” a teenage movie for the ages that captures the romantic drama, heightened emotions and complex affairs of adolescence. Based on James Franco’s short story collection “Palo Alto Stories,” which narrates the lives of high school students in the titular California community, Coppola’s film centers on a group of hard-partying, reckless, ennui-afflicted teenagers. This crowd includes the introspective and artistic Teddy (Jack Kilmer) and the suave and dangerous Fred (Nat Wolff ) alongside April (Emma Roberts), a shy virginal soccer player who becomes involved with her older coach, Mr. B (James Franco). At a question-and-answer panel, the director and cast spoke about
the process of filming “Palo Alto.” “When my book came out, I thought of making an adaptation, and I wanted to work with someone who would bring this work into other areas and do something I’d never think of,” Franco said. “I wanted someone to take the book and give it a new sensibility and a new form.” Franco said Coppola fit the bill for what he was envisioning. “I saw some of Coppola’s photos and I just had a feeling that she was the right person,” Franco said. “I asked her to do it and five years later we’re here. I told her to pick the stories from my book that spoke to her and start fleshing those out. She interwove them and gave them a unified arch in a way that I wouldn’t have been able to do.” Submerging audiences in the painful and graphic realities of the modern high school experience, “Palo Alto” covers
controversial topics ranging from drinking and driving to drug abuse and gang rape, all navigated artfully by Coppola. Superb acting helps, with electrifying and heartbreaking performances from up-and-coming actors Wolff and Levin. “Palo Alto” is a rough, bruising jab to the nerves and hearts of both its characters and the audience. It is a film about adolescence that does not evoke nostalgia, but rather shines a light on the parts adults either do not remember or were trying to forget. Franco’s stories about adolescence caught Coppola’s attention. Before this project, she said she was hesitant to direct. “I’ve always loved movies and it was always around me, but I guess I was always intimidated to go into that field,” Coppola said. “I really loved Franco’s book. He believed in me and he made it an environment that I could feel
free and comfortable.” Later on, Roberts opened up about what was appealing about her role in the film. “What I loved about this script was that it was just very subtle where a lot of the screen action happens,” Roberts said. “There’s so much emotion in the stage direction and not so much the dialogue. You don’t always know what to say and what everyone else will say and there will always be a lot of awkward moments. Gia let those moments sit there.” “Palo Alto” is a dark film, but the acting and direction are successful in giving the impression of real events. Franco’s work is not specific to the affluent Californian city, depicting drama that is universally understandable to anyone who is or was a teenager. Mohamed Hassan is a staff writer. Ife Olujobi is film editor. Email them at film@nyunews.com.
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INTERVIEW
REVIEW documentary features rapper nas By ALEX MUJICA
COURTESY OF CAMELLIA ENTERTAINMENT
Robin Williams channels his serious side in a dramatic role.
director talks robin williams film By MOHAMED HASSAN Once a member of a hardcore punk band and now a bonafide director, Dito Montiel premiered his film “Boulevard” at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. “Boulevard” is a moving drama that tells the story of devoted husband Nolan Mack (Robin Williams), who lives a stable life but is secretly unfulfilled. Nolan’s marriage to his wife Joy (Kathy Baker) is just a distraction from reality. Nolan begins to stray away from his marriage when he becomes close with the troubled young Leo (Roberto Aguire), with whom he forms a strong but complicated bond. In an interview with WSN, Montiel spoke about his unique perspectives on directing, and the process of filming his indie project. “It’s always hectic,” Montiel said. “There is this mechanical madness and a struggle with the idea that you’re trying to create an emotion with a hundred people around. [This film] might not even be about moving on, but I think it is about letting go. It’s an impossible thing to do. Whether you embrace it or not, it’s your choice.” Montiel discussed Williams’ involvement with the film and his acting skills. “Douglas Soesbe wrote the script and my agent said Robin Williams was interested, and then I said, ‘If Robin Williams is interested in it, I’ll definitely read it,’” Montiel said. “I thought they wanted me to do a comedy, and so the script really surprised me.” If the script was unexpected, Robin Williams also brought
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more to the table than the director anticipated. “It’s funny, we all have these thoughts about who [Robin Williams] is,” Montiel said. “We all think of this guy who is full of energy and bursting, which is similar to Nolan as a character — except he just has nowhere to put it.” The characters endure a lot of emotional turmoil throughout the film, which took a toll on Montiel. “I read this script and I kept thinking, ‘How could [Nolan] do this?’” Montiel said. “I wanted to preserve that in the filming. The emotional factor of film really does get in your head.” Born and raised in New York City, the director said he was honored to debut his project at Tribeca. “I thought Tribeca was a perfect fit because I knew that the people here would be OK with a quiet film,” Montiel said. Making a film can be a very tumultuous process, but Montiel managed to bring a simplified perspective. “Art shouldn’t be about making money and being unhappy waiting for stardom,” Montiel said. “The memory of making your own film is half the deal. I think of the production of a movie as being three different films. The first film is the writing, the next film is the filming and the final film is editing.” Montiel ended the conversation by explaining his commitment to his directorial projects. “I always think about where my characters would be now after the film.” Mohamed Hassan is a staff writer. Email him at film@nyunews.com.
Director One9’s “Time is Illmatic,” which opened the Tribeca Film Festival, was one of the best documentaries at this year’s festival. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of rap artist Nas’ first album “Illmatic” — recognized as one of the most influential rap albums of all time — “Time is Illmatic” explores the album’s influence on inner city communities and the music industry, as well as the sociopolitical aspects that fed its production. Nas and his brother Jungle suffered many hardships growing up in Queensbridge, a housing development in Queens. Nas describes living through an era where drugs and violence were everywhere, and how many of his close friends joined the criminal underworld. Luckily, Nas had his musical talent to save him. The documentary traces the roots of Nas’ musical talents back to his father, Olu Dara, a jazz musician from Mississippi. While at first Nas was interested in following his father’s footsteps by mastering musi-
cal instruments, he later found himself passionate about writing rap lyrics. Jungle said later in the film that he always knew his brother was extremely talented. While the documentary is mainly centered around Nas and his first album, Jungle plays a major role in making the film a masterpiece. Inheriting his father’s charisma, Jungle is hilarious during his interviews, even when it seems he is not trying to be. During the heartbreaking scene during which he describes witnessing Nas’ best friend William Graham get shot and killed, Jungle wonders to himself why their mother never tried to move their family to a safer location. But the audience roars in laughter after he randomly asks one of his friends for a cigarette. With so many intense and emotional moments while describing their childhood, Jungle’s ability to offer the audience comic relief gives the documentary a perfect balance of pathos and laughter. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the documentary, how-
ever, is Nas’ humility despite his massive success. Two decades after the debut of his famous album, Nas pays his respects to everyone who helped him become the person he is today. Nas talks about how female rapper Roxanna Shante gave him his first break by inviting him to join her crew. After, Nas’ talent began to spread to people in the industry, his bold lyrics catching the attention of Columbia Records. Upon arriving at the studio, Nas reveals that he felt that the space and everything in it from the plaques on the walls to the chairs, were all set up in preparation for him. Even as he walked through his old neighborhood, Nas graciously embraced all of his old neighbors, never once assuming an attitude of superiority. As Nas reflects on every person who has touched his life, the viewer ultimately realizes that good influences are crucial to the development of one’s talent. Alex Mujica is a staff writer. Email her at film@nyunews.com.
israeli film tells dark comedy By IFE OLUJOBI When a country is at war it needs the support and involvement of all its citizens, from the soldiers on the front lines all the way to the people who handle the legal paperwork. This clerical side of the military is the setting of writer/director Talya Lavie’s debut feature “Zero Motivation,” winner of the Best Narrative Feature award at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. Shown in Hebrew with English subtitles, the film follows a unit of young girls who work in the human resources office of a remote desert base as they deal with boredom, violence and their own personal and emotional issues. The film narrows in on the saga of best friends Zohar (Dana Ivgy) and Daffi (Nelly Tagar) as their friendship fluctuates under the strict but caring rule of their unit commander Rama (Shani Klein). Amid military strategizing, Lavie plants us firmly in the world of teenage girls, showing events from their hormonal and self-centered perspectives. The first scene of the film shows a conflict between Zohar and other recruits, which starts when she attempts to save Daffi a seat on the bus to the base for an-
other round of service. Moments like these show viewers the small scale of these girls’ priorities despite the turmoil going on around them. The film also tackles gender issues in the military, as some of the girls are abused by male soldiers. Rama struggles to be seen as an equal to her male counterparts at meetings, where she and her friends are responsible for providing coffee to a room full of officers who ogle them as they are served. Essentially a dark office comedy disguised as a film about soldiers, “Zero Motivation” is wickedly funny and terrifying in equal measure. This is largely due to a colorful and well-developed cast of supporting characters, who all have their own internal demons and opinions, filling the fictional world with authenticity and pathos. The script is filled with laughs and heartbreak, and the realistic central characters are committed to every complex beat. Especially engaging is the shifting power dynamic between Daffi and Zohar, which culminates in an altercation that encapsulates Lavie’s film — two girls having a stapler fight in an office is a funny image, until the audeince sees staples draw blood.
JULY AUGUST PRODUCTIONS
Dana Ivgy plays Zohar, a young girl working for the military during wartime. Lavie herself worked as a secretary in a similar office during her military service in Israel and, while most of the audience will never know what that is like, Lavie draws viewers into her genuine and unique portrait of war, adolescence and friendship. “Zero Motivation” marks the arrival of a fresh female cinematic voice on the international front — one that should be sought out by all viewers. The film does not yet have a distributor but, with any luck, it soon will. Ife Olujobi is film editor. Email her at iolujobi@nyunews.com.
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Crossword ACROSS 1 “Foucault’s Pendulum” author 4 Legendary predator of elephants 7 Entertainers at many 49-Downs, for short 10 Super Mario Bros. console, for short 13 Jobs offering 14 Stop ___ dime 15 Radio station listener’s call-in, perhaps 17 Asthmatic’s device 19 “Checkmate!” 20 Experiment site 21 Alternative to dice 22 1952 Winter Olympics host 23 ___ Sea, waters depleted by irrigation projects
24 “Spider-Man” director Sam 27 Abalone shell lining 30 “___ all good” 33 Politico Hatch of 54-Down 34 Clumsy sorts 35 Pick up 36 Holey plastic shoe 37 Off one’s rocker 38 Drag racers’ org. 39 “The Wizard of Oz” locale: Abbr. 40 Absorb, as gravy 41 ___-Grain 42 “Dee-lish!” 43 Bonnie’s partner 44 :-( 45 “… ___ in Kalamazoo” 47 Eldest Stark child on “Game of Thrones” 49 Australia’s Port ___ Bay
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52 In hiding 56 Team leader of song 57 Retired academics 58 Tee-shot club 59 Well-put 60 Vintner’s vessel 61 I.S.P. with a butterfly logo 62 Afterafterthought on a letter: Abbr. 63 Many aging A.L. sluggers 64 ___ moment DOWN 1 Send out 2 One of man’s three legs, in the riddle of the Sphinx 3 Protest singer Phil 4 Arrives, as fog 5 N.B.A. great in Icy Hot commercials 6 *Typist’s duplicate of old 7 Prohibitionists 8 Game show with the theme music “Think!” 9 Knights’ attendants 10 *They’re big on Broadway 11 “To be,” to Brutus 12 Suffix with slick 16 Radius neighbor 18 With 38-Down, property of the first part of the answer to each starred clue (appropriately positioned in the grid)
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24 First sports movie to win Best Picture 25 Pianist Claudio 26 *Medieval device with spikes 28 One way to read 29 *Anti-Civil War Northerner 31 ___ firma 32 Unflashy
37 Kid’s post-haircut treat, maybe 38 See 18-Down 40 Bit of surf in surf and turf 41 Green Giant canned corn 46 Radiant look 48 Zip 49 Gym ball?
50 Barbaric sorts 51 Nth degrees? 53 Demanding sort 54 See 33-Across 55 Gyro bread
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NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY PETER KEFFER OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY
Phony stem cell treatment plagues Italy’s reputation
By TESS WOOSLEY The Stamina Foundation in Italy has provided a phony stem cell treatment since 2006, claiming that it can cure a variety of neurodegenerative disease, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and rare genetic conditions in children. Finally, after a four-year investigation, a public prosecutor has issued an indictment against Davide Vannoni, the president of the foundation. It accuses 19 prominent public health officials and doctors of defrauding the public. If Italy wants to maintain its standing as a serious member of the scientific community, it has to protect participants of clinical trials and reform the way public funds are allocated. The basis for Vannoni’s socalled cure is the transformation of certain stem cells from a patient’s bone marrow into brand new nerve cells and injecting them. Unfortunately, these types of stem cells are known to be limited to differentiation into bone, fat or cartilage cells. The International Society for Stem Cell Research said there is not “compelling evidence from clinical trials that such cells provide benefit to patients with neurological conditions.” Yet Vannoni has asked vulnerable adults and children to pay expensive sums for the treatment. Perhaps the most insane fact about the scheme is that Vannoni has a doctorate in philosophy and was previously a psychology professor — he has no background in cell biology. His success stems from support by the Italian media that has allowed him to connect with patients who have
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incurable diseases and no other therapeutic options. There has been a steady stream of criticism toward the Stamina treatment from within Italy, but it has consistently been drowned by public support. After regulatory agencies shut down Stamina in 2012 due to safety issues, patients and their family members protested loudly. This pressure convinced the Italian Parliament to provide $3.9 million for a clinical trial and allow the unsafe treatment to continue. A panel of scientists convened to determine the trial design for the government-funded study and found that there was no scientific foundation to Stamina’s proposed methods — they involve unsafe cell cultures, inaccurate testing and could not feasibly work. Furthermore, parts of the protocol were found to be copied directly from Wikipedia. Ultimately, Vannoni appealed the rejection in court. The court ruled in his favor on the basis that the panel of experts was biased because they had previously vocalized objections to the protocol. A second, hopefully unbiased, panel has convened, but the threat of a dangerous clinical trial still looms. The inability of the Italian government to act quickly and decisively is creating false hope among those who believe the treatment will cure them. Italy’s failure to protect its citizens serves as an important reminder of the occasional benefits of the United States’ seemingly excessive bureaucracy. Tess Woosley is a staff columnist. Scientific Society is published every Wednesday. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Response to I, Too, Am NYU controversy
The controversy that has surrounded last week’s editorial is the product of a misunderstanding that was fueled by careless and inaccurate reporting. With a series of inappropriate Facebook comments and an inflammatory article posted on NYU Local, it became clear how quickly individuals are prepared to assume the worst rather than think critically about dissenting opinions. In response to an editorial we wrote discussing the importance of allies to any social justice campaign, NYU Local claimed that, although our piece “is not blatant racism,” we “[had] entirely missed the point of being an ally.” Eric Silver stated that “sometimes, being an ally means not being included.” Yet, if an ally is anything, it is someone who associates with others for a common cause or purpose. This was the crux of our argument — one that acknowledges the crucial role alliances play. As the I, Too, Am NYU campaign eloquently responded to our editorial, “No doubt, the role of allies in racial justice movements is a critical one, and we welcome and encourage vocal support from students who do not identify as people of color.” We completely agree, and last week’s editorial proposed nothing more. The I, Too, Am NYU campaign would benefit from the active participation of white allies in order to effectively promote racial equality on our campus. Our editorial called attention to this fact. Yet this message seems to have been lost in the controversy that has since developed. We did not argue that the involvement of racially privileged individuals should be prioritized, nor did we argue that white students should be featured in the photographs published by the campaign, as
Silver suggested. Rather, we identified the specific benefits that can be found when encouraging white allies to actively assist in the promotion of racial equality. This is not to say that allies define the movement to which they associate themselves to. They are, of course, just allies, but nevertheless important. NYU Local editor Helen Holmes tweeted that we “criticized a campaign giving voice to minorities for not including white people.” The inclusion of white students in a group that advocates for racial equality at NYU should not be simplistically reduced to — or valued by — whiteness. Indeed the inclusion of white students does not constitute any notion of “validity by whiteness.” There is no validity to be gained by including white students. The inclusion of white students is neither a necessary nor a sufficient policy for the validity of I, Too, Am NYU. Yet it might nevertheless be a beneficial one for matters of strict practicality. We believe that the goal of the campaign is to make students realize that fleeting comments to their peers are racist. Including white allies who stand in solidarity with I, Too, Am NYU would increase exposure to the students who disproportionately make these comments in the first place. The campaign is in the unique position to include the very students that it is targeting. This conclusion prompted Silver to claim that our piece conveyed nuanced racism. Yet, it is rather the omissions in his reporting that furthered bias and misunderstanding across our campus. He should have acknowledged that members of our Editorial Board are comprised of racially, ethnically and religiously diverse individuals. If this had been done,
certain incendiary and presumptuous comments on the I, Too, Am NYU Facebook page would not have been allowed to stand unchallenged. The assumption that the Editorial Board members are “white people [who] feel othered,” who promote “what about us in the majority” arguments, is plainly false. In fact, the editorial was chaired, developed and conceived by a person of color. Given the diversity of the board, it is unclear as to why we would hold a “what about us in the majority” opinion. The most adamant supporters of I, Too, Am NYU pride themselves on combating microaggressions, yet several were prepared to perpetuate them. Indeed, some readily and willingly assumed that anyone who holds an opinion that dissents from that of a group advocating for racial equality must not be a person of color. One commenter went so far as to dismiss the very identities of the individuals who wrote the article. Yet, if an opinion article is anything, it is an opinion that is held by the authors of those who penned it. To disregard the importance of the individuals on the Editorial Board — and their unique identities and experiences — is to ignore this basic fact. The claim that we were motivated by a “what about us in the majority” argument is injurious. Just as NYU Local is entitled to publish an opinion, the Editorial Board — comprised of several individuals who identify as the “oppressed friends” the author had benightedly volunteered to defend — is also entitled to take a particular view. Silver’s failure to accurately report an opposing perspective conveys a disregard for journalistic principles, as well as a complacency with fueling misguided aggression.
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) ILLUSTRATION BY JOURDAN ENRIQUEZ
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 | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
BEAUTY & STYLE
EDITED BY DANA RESZUTEK BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM
Perfume line modeled after colleges By CICEK EREL
A powerful scent can evoke potent memories and capture the essence of past experiences. At Masik Collegiate Fragrances, a New York City-based perfume company, the link between scent and memory serves as the formula for a collection of perfumes and colognes. The company creates custom aromatic blends to capture the distinct college experience of different universities. Collegiate fragrances are among the latest products aimed at college students, adding to the growing market of universitybranded merchandise. Students, alumni and fans are no longer limited to sweatshirts and bumper stickers to show their support — for $39.50, they can smell like the schools, too. Katie Masik, founder and CEO of Masik Collegiate Fragrances, explained the fragrance formulation process on the company’s website. Masik works closely with each university to develop its signature scent. The cologne and
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perfume are inspired by various sensory stimuli on campus, such as the university’s colors, landmarks and traditions. Since being founded in 2008, the Masik brand has established partnerships with 20 universities, including University of Georgia and University of Florida. The company targets colleges with a built-in market for their product — those with strong school spirit, a large alumni network and a fan base. The collection is mostly made up of colleges in the Southeast, where many students tend to be defined by their pride and passion for their school, sports teams and campus traditions. Though Masik continues to expand its collection, the company is unlikely to partner with NYU to create a signature scent for the university. It is more practical and profitable to focus on schools that have a greater influence on students’ style, rather than schools like NYU, whose students see their city surroundings as a greater inspiration. Masik’s unique product marketing allows the fragrances to stand out from other university-
painting nails with a clear coat and then adding a thin, dark stripe of navy blue or black on the tips. For a nail polish with a thin precision brush perfect for an at-home French manicure, try Lechat CM’s Nail Art Design in navy blue ($3.75).
Floating Half-Moons
Matte
Stripes and simple patterns Models at Tracy Reese’s Spring/ Summer 2014 show sported light mint green nails accented with black lines, forming a gridlike pattern. To make this look at home, start by painting your nails with a coat of a pastel polish. To match Tracy Reese’s mint
Cicek Erel is creative director. Email her at cerel@nyunews.com.
Manicure techniques to highlight unique nails in spring season
Hair and clothing trends are not the only looks changing in fashion now that spring is here. A number of different nail trends surfaced from the spring runway lines and are perfect to sport for an everyday look. Try these stylish nail trends the next time you do your own manicure.
Instead of classic sleek and glossy nails, opt for a matte look. One method for achieving this style is to apply regular nail polish with a dash of baking soda for a grainy effect. Alternatively, immediately after applying nail polish hover your nails above steaming water to dry them matte. For added effect, apply clear nail polish only to the tips to showcase the contrast. Although spring trends tend to opt for lighter tones, a dark polish will make a standout matte look. For this style, try CND VINYLUX’s Asphalt Grey nail polish ($6.99).
branded gear. However, students at NYU tend to show diversity without defining themselves with Violet apparel and Bobcat merchandise. Gallatin junior Arianne Aparicio said while the concept behind the fragrances is great because familiar scents can effectively recall memories, students and alumni may not want to smell like their schools. “The idea would be more successful if it was like an incense, so you didn’t have to wear the smell,” Aparicio said. Masik’s signature scents can conjure up the cherished memories of one’s own college experience, but NYU students are likely to reject the idea of infusing their personal style with the aromas of Washington Square Park. While Masik’s contribution to college beauty and fashion trends has intrigued universities with a fervent student body and fan base, it is possible that the company will flounder if it tries to expand beyond its current niche.
VIA FLICKR.COM
Matte nails in a variety of colors are a great DIY option for sping. green, try Essie’s nail polish in mint candy apple ($8.50). Then, with a nail art brush or a thin paintbrush, carefully paint two lines horizontally and two lines vertically to form a grid. Another option for those seeking a simple nail pattern is to paint a thin, dark stripe over a pastel polish. This adds a different dimension to a typical pastel nail.
Flipped French Manicures Sheers have been popular on the runways and can act as inspiration to transform the classic French manicure into a unique style. Instead of the typical pink and white pairing, try the French manicure look by
The floating half-moon manicure is once again trending both on and off the runway. To sport this look, paint your entire nail with a sheer nude or clear polish. Then, paint a half-moon shape on the bottom of your nail, near the cuticle. White or very light pastel polishes work perfectly for this look. A good white nail polish to try is China Glaze’s White Out ($2.03).
Ombré The ombré nail, which has been popular for the past few seasons, is a fun and simple manicure. To do an ombré look yourself, all you need is a clean makeup sponge and two colors, one light and one dark, that blend well together. On the sponge, paint on the darker polish toward the bottom and slowly blend in the lighter hue. Then, simply press the sponge onto your nails for an easy ombré manicure. Earthtones work well with this look, such as sage and pine. Ilona Tuominen is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Mochila bags help Colombian tribe
FELIPE DE LA HOZ/WSN
Traditional Mochilas are handwoven by the Wayuu tribe. By REBECCA RIDDLE With spring fashion in full swing and summer on the horizon, colorful and bohemian trends have gained their annual popularity. This year, brightly colored woven bags called Mochilas have become trendy, but the increasing popularity of these bags means more than simply an influx of colorful purses. This is a trend that has deep cultural and economic implications. The word Mochila is a generic term used for ‘bag’ in Spanish, but the name has become synonymous with a specific type and style of purse in the fashion world. Mochilas are uniquely patterned and colorfully woven bags that originated in Colombia. Authentic Mochilas are made from naturally grown, naturally dyed cotton and are handwoven by people of the Wayuu tribe. The Wayuu tribe inhabits the arid, harsh region of Colombia called the La Guajira Peninsula, which lies along the Caribbean coast and shares a border with Venezuela. The bags are an important cultural and economic facet of the Wayuu way of life, as they represent tribal traditions and also supply an important source of revenue for the people. Women typically make Mochilas, and a single bag can take up to a month to complete because of the intricate geometric designs that are often constructed without a loom. Weaving skills are passed down from mother to daughter at a young age in order to keep the traditional methods alive. Many companies, particularly online vendors, have begun selling Mochilas that are made in the traditional manner by people of the Wayuu tribe. Online companies such as MochilaBags and Wayuu Tribe are dedicated to selling Mochilas that are fair trade and
will help the Wayuu people preserve their way of life. Due to the time and care that goes into each bag, authentic Mochilas tend to be expensive and are generally in the $100 to $200 range. The idea of selling Mochilas to benefit their creators is not a new idea. In 2009, a group called BeLive launched what is called the Mochila Project, which gave 40 world-renowned designers, including Vera Wang and Oscar De La Renta, a traditional bag the designers could embellish and personalize. The bags were then auctioned off at high-end designer prices, fetching up to $5,000 each, and the proceeds went to various charities in Colombia. Though there is a great deal of charity and care in preserving cultural traditions involved in the Mochila trend, there are also many stores that disregard the cultural meaning of the bags and are selling items that bear a striking resemblance to the original items. Retailers such as Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters have many Mochila look-alikes for sale and their popularity is apparent, as many are sold out in stores and online. This is not the first time a culturally significant item, such as Native American-inspired jewelry, has become a mass-produced, widely available trend. While shopping in reasonably-priced stores, consumers should keep in mind the origins of the trends being sold. It is ultimately up to the consumer to keep in mind the origin and implications of purchasing Mochilas, or similar-looking bags. Though often more expensive, purchasing authentic Mochilas does benefit the communities that rely on the income generated from these bags. Rebecca Riddle is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.