NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 42, No. 103
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014
nyunews.com
UNIVERSITY POLITICS
GSOC protests over contracts, benefits By LARSON BINZER Deputy News Editor
Members of NYU’s Graduate Student Organizing Committee protested against NYU and their ongoing contract negotiations with the university by holding a
rally in Washington Square Park on Dec. 2. The group smashed a pig-shaped piñata filled with glitter, candy, dental floss, fake money and GSOC buttons. The union has held multiple protests throughout the past month while negociating with
the university. A press release from the union highlighted the fact that NYU has had $50, $112 and $399 million in profits from students in 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively, and stated that NYU can afford to increase the wages offered to work-
ing graduate students. The rally began with groups gathering and holding a moment of silence for Michael Brown, after which students and organizers shared their grievances with
GSOC continued on PG. 3
UNIVERSITY POLICY
Concerns over labor at NYU Shanghai By JOHN AMBROSIO News Editor
NYU has begun investigating the labor conditions at NYU Shanghai after its independent monitor did not follow procedures set by the university to ensure safe working conditions. NYU spokesman John Beckman said Jones Lang LaSalle, the real estate consulting firm NYU hired in March 2012 to monitor working conditions at NYU Shanghai, failed to properly provide reports on the labor conditions on campus. “We had asked our construction consultant on the Shanghai project to monitor compliance and produce reports, which it agreed to do,” Beckman said in an email. “However, there were some miscommunications and delays for which we share responsibility.” The news, which was first reported in The New York Times, comes less than a year after an article in The Times alleged labor violations at another of NYU’s portal campuses, NYU Abu Dhabi. In response to that article, NYU announced in July that it had hired Nardello & STAFF PHOTO BY HARK KANWAL
SHANGHAI continued on PG. 3
NYU GSOC waved a piñata pig on Tuesday representing NYU’s 2013 profits off of students.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
BEAUTY & STYLE
FIT explores fraudulent fashion
STAFF ILLUSTRATION
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
STAFF PHOTO BY NICOLE BROWN
By SANG BAE Contributing Writer
Gift designer steals this season Instead of shopping at busy department stores, check out sample sales for chic deals. STORY on PG. 4
Notable flicks to watch online Relax this winter break and stream acclaimed films on Netflix and Amazon Prime. STORY on PG. 5
Labor conditions must improve In light of poor working condition accusations in Shanghai, NYU must improve foreign campuses. STORY on PG. 7
The Museum at FIT opened its exhibition “Faking it: Originals, Copies, and Counterfeits,”on Dec. 2, reminding the world that a $10 Louis Vuitton handbag is an oxymoron worth buying on a tight budget. The exhibit retells the legal — and illegal — history of fashion counterfeiting throughout a compilation of a hundred items collected over the last 150 years. It blurs the lines of copyright theft in a debate that has lasted for decades, proving that if a multimillion-dollar brand like Zara can steal a Cèline dress and make one or two changes to sell it on the market, counterfeiting is not going to go away any time soon. Just past the entrance of the exhibit are two three-piece Chanel suits on display. At first glance, they seem almost
identical. The dimensions of the suits are perfect, the classic tweed designs are the same colors and buttons emblazoned with the Chanel emblem are sewn across the front of the suits. But the differences are quickly pointed out in a slideshow in the exhibit. Whereas the real Chanel suit was hand-sewn with fell stitches and crafted with the highest quality materials, the fake was machinestitched and clumsily made with cheap materials. Even the metal from the buttons wore off its color on the fake suit over time. But those pieces pale in comparison to what else is on display. Steps away from the exhibit’s centerpiece is an entire corridor of dresses and accessories with fakes to match. The entire exhibit presents itself in chronological order. Dating back to the 19th century, diamond-
encrusted shoes and tortoise shell combs eventually leads to modern pieces, such as a jewel-emblazoned facsimile of René Magritte’s “Son of Man” stitched onto a sweater. A white dress printed with cans of Campbell soup precedes the leather remains of a few dozen designer handbags. The dangerous line between parody and blatant counterfeit is crossed with Brian Lichtenberg’s “Homies” ensemble and the near trademark infringement lawsuit of Yohji Yamamoto’s “YY” logo. Visitors are shown a world where labels are not afraid to steal and copy successful designs for financial gain, which drives the appeal of many dresses on exhibit. The world of fashion is also a world that counterfeits or copies the designs of expensive clothes to
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
ON THE SIDE
COMPILED BY THE
WSN STAFF
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
By WSN Staff | As the year comes to a close, WSN staff remembers some of the year’s most underrated music and television.
“LOSE” CYMBALS EAT GUITARS
Editor-in-Chief
NICOLE BROWN Managing Editors
STOOP KIDS
EMILY BELL DANA RESZUTEK Assistant Managing Editor
BRYNA SHUMAN Web Managing Editors
CICEK EREL KAVISH HARJAI Creative Director, Special Editions
LYANNE NATIVIDAD Creative Directors
SUPERHUMANOIDS
Stoop Kids have not been afraid to leave the stoop this past year, stepping out into the studio and heading on tour. The New Orleans band offers a refreshing new sound it likes to call “doo-hop” — a unique blend of genres with a psychedelic twist. Though they only recently emerged onto the music scene with their 2013 album, “What a World,” Stoop Kids has already gained a considerable following. The quintet came out with a new single, “17:35,” last month. The playful track gives fans a taste of what to expect from their second album, “Already Out of Time,” set to release early next year.
“LOOKING”
Kavish Harjai Web Managing Editor Dream pop trio Superhumanoids dropped four dope tracks this year after releasing its first album, “Exhibitionists,” in 2013. The singles, “Come Say Hello,” “Hey Big Bang” — which is a remake of a previously released song of the same title — “Flipping Out” and “Another One,” are slower and more introspective than the band’s previous songs, but still manage to captivate listeners. Sarah Chernoff’s airy vocals juxtapose the harsh sounding synth instrumental creating a sound that is both relaxing and intense — a sound that is perfect for those moments in life when you need to find satisfaction in unpredictability.
Alex Greenberger Arts Editor Viewers were quick to judge “Looking” because they believed its gay San Franciscan main characters were too stereotypical. Based on only the first episode, those accusations may have had some grain of truth, but as the series evolved, so did its characters. By the end of its eight-episode first season, it became obvious that “Looking” was an emotionally searing character study in disguise. Like a male response to “Girls,” the HBO show attested to the difficulties of growing up, and it became something beautiful in the process.
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THOMAS DEVLIN deputy MADELINE PAZZANI Multimedia
SHAWN PAIK deputy HANNAH LUU video DANIEL COLE
SENIOR STAFF
news JOHN AMBROSIO, VALENTINA
TOP LEFT PHOTO VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG | TOP RIGHT AND BOTTOM PHOTOS VIA FACEBOOK.COM
John Ambrosio News Editor If there is a single underrated album from 2014, it is “LOSE,” the latest from Staten Island indie stalwarts Cymbals Eat Guitars. Aside from the fact that it deals mostly with disappointment, loss and the struggles associated with making it as musicians, “LOSE” is so good that it deserves better attention. At its best, “LOSE” showcases the band’s well honed song-writing skills and singer Joseph D’Agostino’s ability to shift from a whisper to a holler on a dime. At its worst, it is still enough of a crushing bummer that definitely deserves a listen.
JULIE CICCONE OLIVIA MARTIN
Shawn Paik Multimedia Editor Cicek Erel Web Managing Editor
DUQUE BOJANINI features HANNAH TREASURE arts ALEX GREENBERGER sports CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO global JOEY BUI social media ARIANA DIVALENTINO senior editors KEVIN BURNS, SCOTT MULLEN, VALERIE NELSON, MARINA ZHENG
DEPUTY STAFF
news ALEX BAZELEY,
LARSON BINZER, MARITA VLACHOU features BAILEY EVANS beauty & style DAVID BOLOGNA dining REBECCA RIDDLE film ISABEL JONES entertainment IFE OLUJOBI music ALEXA SPIELER theater/books NIKOLAS REDA-CASTELAO sports TONY CHAU
OPINION PAGE opinion editor
CHRISTINA COLEBURN deputy opinion editors
OMAR ETMAN, ADAM FAZLIBEGU, TESS WOOSLEY
BLOGS
under the arch JONATHAN KESHISHOGLOU violet vision GIANNA COLLIER-PITTS the highlighter MARISSA ELLIOT LITTLE
ADVERTISING BUSINESS MANAGER
ALISON LIZZIO UNIVERSITY AND ALUMNI COORDINATOR
CLAIRE MAHANY SALES MANAGER
SNAPSHOT
TODAY ON CAMPUS
ARIANA DIVALENTINO SALES REPRESENTATIVE
AMY LU, JILLIAN BRANCHAUD
Global Institute of Public Health Speaker Series: Dan Fagin Dan Fagin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and director of the NYU Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program will speak today at 3 p.m. in room 741 of 41 E. 11th St.
Making the Most of a Career Fair The Wasserman Center for Career Development will host an informational seminar with tips on presenting yourself at career fairs at 2 p.m. in its office.
SALES ASSOCIATE
LUXI PENG, MIKE GROTT GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
KALEEL MUNROE CIRCULATION MANAGER
JESSICA TIEN
ADVISING DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
NANCI HEALY EDITORIAL ADVISER
JIM LUTTRELL EDITORS-AT-LARGE
“Bones” Exhibition
Betsey Boop realizes it is not productive to stress about finals.
A new exhibition, titled “Bones,” will open tonight at 5 p.m. in the Resenberg Gallery in the Barney Building, 34 Stuyvesant St. Featuring Steinhardt student Shelly Cullen’s work, the exhibit will be open until Dec. 12.
STAFF PHOTO BY CICEK EREL
TODAY’S EVENTS ARE FREE FOR NYU STUDENTS.
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KRISTINA BOGOS, RACHEL KAPLAN, CLIO MCCONNELL, JORDAN MELENDREZ, KALEEL MUNROE, 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 the managing editors at managing@nyunews. com or at 212.998.4302.
NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
2031 plan brought to Court of Appeals
GSOC continued from PG. 1
By ALANNA BAYARIN Staff Writer
STAFF PHOTO BY HARK KANWAL
On Dec. 2, GSOC protesters began in Washington Square Park and moved to the front of Bobst.
Graduate students protest in WSP
the crowd. Liz Koslov, a Steinhardt doctoral student, said she believes the working conditions for graduate students are extremely unfair, especially considering the high cost of health care. “Our working conditions are very precarious,” Koslov said. “I think it’s important to put pressure on the university so that they actually do something about it and realize people do really care.” GSAS student Sara Duvisac explained that there is a particular issue in the lack of a contract regarding international students at the NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering. “I think a factor that plays into the issue is that because a lot of the students are international students, they have many fewer options because they can’t get work outside of campus,” Duvisac said. “It’s easier to kind of force them into lowerpaying jobs.”
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STAFF PHOTO BY HARK KANWAL
GSOC used candy, glitter and musical instruments during the protest. Daniel Aldana Cohen, an event organizer and GSAS student, explained the list of demands the graduate students want in a contract. “The demands are decent pay and benefits and working conditions to all grad workers, including support for their children and dependents,” Aldana Cohen said. After the grievances and demands were presented, the group marched through the park and rallied outside the doors of Bobst Library. At the end of the rally, union representatives said they would return and announced they are holding another demonstration on Dec. 12. NYU spokesman John Beckman said NYU’s existing proposals would increase pay to bargaining unit members and extend benefits and pay raises to graduate students.
“NYU has been and continues to be committed to bargaining in good faith, and we remain focused on achieving a good contract that honors the contributions of our graduate students,” Beckman said in an email. Cohen said the group hopes the university will respond with a better contract offer soon. “We know that putting significant pressure on the university works,” Cohen said. “We’re confident that the university doesn’t want to subject its employees and its students here to a prolonged labor dispute, so we’re very hopeful that NYU will respond to our shows of strength and solidarity with a better offer.” Email Larson Binzer at lbinzer@nyunews.com.
Opponents of the NYU 2031 expansion plan are appealing the Oct. 14 New York State Supreme Court decision that allowed the development of 2 million square feet of Greenwich Village. The case is being taken to the Court of Appeals in hopes of halting expansion and preserving parkland in the Village. Deborah Glick, New York State Assembly member and plaintiff in the appeal, said she is confident the Court of Appeals will rule in their favor. “I feel very strongly that the lower court that decided in our favor got the law right and that the appellate panel was wrong,” Glick said. “In the end, a fair hearing in front of the Court of Appeals will vindicate our appeal.” Andrew Berman, executive director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation and plaintiff in the appeal, said the preservation of parkland and the well-being of Greenwich Village residents are the two major reasons for the appeal. “We’re appealing because we think it’s critical that the courts recognize the sanctity of public park space,” Berman said. “The 2031 expansion plan would have a devastating impact on the Village and it has been roundly opposed not just by residents of the Village but by NYU’s own faculty and staff and many of its students.” NYU spokesman John Beckman said the appellants’ claims that NYU is building on parkland are false. In fact, Beckman said, the contested area is property of the Department of Transportation, as ruled by the New York State Supreme Court in its Oct. 14 decision. “The opponents of the plan claim a group of strips of land on the superblocks is parkland; however, the Appellate Division of the New York State
Supreme Court ruled it was not,” Beckman said. “It has never been mapped or designated by the City as parkland; it has always remained property of the Department of Transportation, not the Department of Parks.” Beckman added that NYU does not intend to eliminate park space in the Village. Instead, it plans to create more park space at the conclusion of the expansion. In a Core Plan Fact Sheet released on Oct. 15, the university explains the parkland that will be preserved. The plan includes new public playgrounds, seating and gardens. The fact sheet can be found on the NYU website. Professor Mark Crispin Miller, a member of NYU’s Faculty Against the Sexton Plan, said many opponents of the plan feel there was little transparency in constructing the expansion plan. “The plan was hatched behind closed doors by the administration, without any academic rationale, and they’ve consistently refused to share their business plan, despite requests from the Faculty Senate Council, the Community Board, student groups, members of the press and individual faculty in Stern and Economics,” Miller said. The final report of the Space Priorities Working Group, available online, released in March of this year, however, outlines the university’s rationale for the expansion. Still, Miller said he believes this plan will not only hurt the residents of Greenwich Village, but also the university itself. “Aside from its disastrous impact on NYU’s neighborhood, this multi-billion-dollar project will put NYU itself at risk, financially and academically, and will only add to the already crushing load of student debt carried by NYU’s graduates,” Miller said. Email Alanna Bayarin at news@nyunews.com.
SHANGHAI continued from PG. 1
Law firm to investigate NYU Shanghai labor conditions
Co. to launch a separate investigation into labor practices at NYUAD and determine if Mott McDonald, the company that monitored the building of the Saadiyat Island campus, followed the labor standards. This summer, the university also hired the law firm Paul Hastings LLP to investigate the working conditions at NYU Shanghai. “Even when it became clear that a report with the level of detail we wanted was not going to be forthcoming, we remained determined that such a review should be conducted,” Beckman
said. “So we turned to Paul Hastings — which has substantial labor compliance experience in China — to undertake a retrospective compliance audit.” The audit, Beckman said, has been underway for several months and is expected to be completed by the end of this year, at which point the university will decide how to proceed. Social and cultural analysis professor and Fair Labor Coalition member Andrew Ross said the latest news is not surprising. “Earlier this year, it became clear that JLL, the firm con-
tracted to do the monitoring, had fallen down on the job,” Ross said. “It’s a mystery why a real estate consultancy was hired to be a labor monitor in the first place.” Beckman said the university is confident that the standards have been in line with the Statement of Labor Values despite Jones Lang LaSalle’s negligence in reporting labor conditions. “We believe — and this is an important point — that the conditions for workers on the site were in overall compliance with the Statement of Labor Values of NYU
Shanghai,” Beckman said. “This is based on the frequent observations of those on site, including people from NYU Shanghai and/ or Jones Lang LaSalle, as well as Paul Hastings’ preliminary findings to date.” Olivia Creamer, a Gallatin sophomore and member of the Student Labor Action Movement, said the situation at NYU Shanghai mirrors that of NYUAD. “Though there was monitoring in place, it’s clear that NYU doesn’t value its workers enough to truly ensure that the university and anyone it has a contract
with truly abides by those values,” Creamer said. “We saw a similar situation in Abu Dhabi when the company doing construction, which is actually run by NYU trustee Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, neglected fair labor practices — including the parameters laid out by the university.” A New York Times article from May revealed that Mubarak is the chief executive of the Mubadala Development Company, the developer of NYUAD’s Sadiyaat Island campus. Email John Ambrosio at jambrosio@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
BEAUTY & STYLE
EDITED BY DAVID BOLOGNA BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM
Layered looks to sport this winter
By GABRIELLA BOWER Staff Writer
Living in New York City means walking everywhere and, for some, wanting to look stylish while doing so. As the weather shifts from chilly to freezing, it is important to dress warmly and still stay chic. This is where layers save you from the unforgettable look of Randy from “A Christmas Story” — the human marshmallow. A thin thermal windbreaker pullover is a smart option to begin layering above a stylish blouse or button-up. The North Face Glacier 1/4 Zip and TKA 100 Glacier Zip at $55 run on the cheaper side, while similar Patagonia styles such as the Re-Tool Snap-T Fleece Pullover will cost you $119. Cardigans, long-sleeve shirts and thin puffer vests that are already a part of your winter wardrobe are always good layering options as well. Many people believe that we lose most of our body heat from our heads, and although this myth has been busted, it is still
Sample sales for holiday shopping By LAUREN CRADDOCK Staff Writer
important to minimize heat loss from every part of your body, especially your head. So when braving the New York winter winds, make sure to sport a cute topper. Free People offers a simple but classic hat with the Spacedye Slouchy Beany for $20, and Nordstrom offers a chic Bow Wool Cloche hat for $24. Gloves, scarves and warm socks are also important layers to add to any winter ensemble. Wear your scarf on top of your jacket collar to get maximum warmth. H&M boasts scarves in various styles that all fall under $10. Gloves can be as cheap as $9 at Old Navy. On the pricier side, tech gloves such as the The North Face Etip Glove run for $45. When looking for the perfect winter coat, length is key. Shorter coats benefit more active lifestyles for those whose days include running to class, jogging around the city or just powerwalking from place to place. Longer coats offer more warmth and will cover up longer tops, tunics and dresses, giving your outfit a clean-cut look.
Winter Needs Until Dec. 7, J. Crew is hosting a sample sale on men’s and women’s apparel, crewcuts, jewelry, shoes and outerwear. The preppy and classic style of J. Crew makes for easy holiday gifts at discounted prices. The sale is up to 60 percent off retail prices for fall and winter collections. Madewell women’s pieces will also be sold. Women’s apparel will be sold at 260 Fifth Ave. between 28th and 29th streets. Men’s apparel will be sold at 225 Fifth Ave. between
Wool coats allow for a slim yet warm layered look. The material for an ideal coat without excessive marshmallow puff is wool. While they generally tend to be on the pricier side, wool coats are a worthwhile investment. Nordstrom often marks down its coats online while Nordstrom Rack in Union
Square is a great place to search for discounted jackets and coats. Old Navy has wool coats for around $69, and H&M offers several styles under $60. Although the winter months force us to compromise many things like outdoor seating and
efficient commuting times, our style should not be one of them. Layering and the right accessories allow for thinner coats while keeping us both warm and chic. Email Gabriella Bower at bstyle@nyunews.com.
FIT continued from PG. 1
STAFF PHOTO BY NICOLE BROWN
Sample sales around the city hold hidden designer gems for less. 26th and 27th streets.
Shoppers armed with credit cards, walking shoes and gift lists can only mean that the holiday season has arrived. Black Friday brought in millions of dollars in revenue with long lines, discounts and complete shopping disorder. Yet some of the best gifts of the season can be found at the holiday season’s designer sample sales. Finding cashmere sweaters and high-quality apparel is simple because New York City offers a plethora of sales in the coming weeks.
STAFF PHOTO BY MATHILDE VAN TULDER
Cashmere Goods If in need of new sweaters for the winter season, Autumn Cashmere is hosting a sample sale until Dec. 12. The sale will include up to 75 percent off luxury crewnecks, pullovers and thermal sweaters. Menswear, womenswear and accessories sales will take place at 231 W. 39th Street, Suite 1111.
For the Feminine Pop into Alice + Olivia’s sample sale next week between Dec. 9 and 14. Featuring embellished tops, party dresses, leather leggings and full gowns, Alice + Olivia, located at 260 Fifth Ave., is a hub for the feminine yet attention-grabbing dresser. The sale includes fall and winter styles from previous collections.
Maximum Discounts Charlotte Ronson’s sample sale will continue through Dec. 19 with up to 90 percent discounts. With dresses from $15 to shoes starting at $10, this sale has something for everyone. Coats and jackets includ-
ing leather goods run from $25 to $50 while tops are sold between $5 and $10. Head to the Showroom Seven Sample Sale at 263 11th Ave., third floor.
Luxury Finds For those willing to spend a little more, a few major designer labels are lowering their prices for a limited time. Helmut Lang, known for its sleek and ultra-modern aesthetic, is holding one more day of sales that ends today, so hurry down to 261 W. 36th St., second floor for stylish tees, chic sweatpants and luxe leather goods. A sample sale on Nicholas K’s men’s and women’s collections begins today and will continue until Dec. 13. Grab a deal on an urban look like no other from this contemporary design duo at 127 Grand St. Finally, head to 204 Elizabeth St. for a deal on the cutting-edge jewelry of Eddie Borgo. With up to 75 percent off of sterling silver rings, necklaces and more, the designer holiday sale is sure to confirm that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Email Lauren Craddock at bstyle@nyunews.com.
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
A classic Chanel tweed suit is placed adjacent to a faux version.
Exhibit contrasts conterfeit with couture
make them affordable. As shown on the wall of the museum, an American client once asked early fashion pioneer Paul Poiret if “a woman whose budget is not limitless hopes to be elegant,” and Poiret answered by giving an ensemble of his designs at an affordable cost. But even Poiret’s dresses were mass counterfeited by the millions, and many other designers have had their pieces copied and sold on the market. Some will go to extensive lengths to
prevent this from happening, while others see it as a way to advertise their brands. In the words of Coco Chanel, also painted on the museum wall, “If more are copied, so much the better. Ideas are made to be communicated.” Either way, the exhibit successfully raises these questions with an eye-opening display of designer creations and non-designer steals. Email Sang Bae at bstyle@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
ARTS
EDITED BY ALEX GREENBERGER ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Notable 2014 films available to stream
REVIEW
‘Zero Motivation’ looks at women in army By CARTER GLACE Contributing Writer
By ALEX GREENBERGER Arts Editor
With Oscar season fast approaching and critics beginning to compile their “Top 10” lists of the year’s best films, there comes a pile-up of great films most people have never seen nor heard of. Luckily, some of 2014’s best offerings are already available on online streaming services. Bong Joon-Ho’s “Snowpiercer” should have been the year’s biggest action movie. Starring Chris Pine and Tilda Swinton, the film takes place in a distant future, when the world has frozen over after an attempt to stop global warming. The remaining survivors have boarded a train that is separated by class, with the poorest riders in the back. One day, the poor stage a revolt to take control of the front of the train. The film acts as both a suspenseful action movie and an Occupy Wall Street allegory. It could have had mass appeal, but it unfortunately was only released in 356 theaters. The film may now find an audience on Netflix. James Gray’s “The Immigrant,” now available on Netflix, could also have been a major award contender during this year’s Oscar season. Boasting fantastic lead performances from Joaquin Phoenix, Marion Cotillard and Jeremy Renner, the film would have appealed to the Academy’s tendency toward sob stories with its heartwrenching tale of a Polish immigrant who finds herself bound up in a 1920s New York prostitution
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Recent films such as “Snowpiercer” can be streamed on Netflix. ring. This old-school melodrama won a New York Film Critics Circle award for Darius Khondji’s luminous cinematography, and deservedly so. Two of the year’s strangest films, “Nymphomaniac” and “Under the Skin,” are also currently available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video, respectively. In the former, Lars von Trier looks explicitly at female sexuality through the story of a sex addict in his four-hour magnum opus. The acclaimed Danish director also revealed this weekend that it may end up being his last film. In the latter, Jonathan Glazer has Scarlett Johansson playing an alien who takes on the guise of an attractive woman and roams the streets of Scotland. Both psychosexual dramas feature plenty of nudity, but not in an oversexualized way. Avoid watching these with your parents for obvious reasons. In “The One I Love,” Mark Duplass and “Mad Men’s” Elisabeth Moss play a couple who get more than they bargained for when they try to fix their crumbling relationship on a weekend retreat. To reveal any more of the plot would ruin the film’s Charlie Kaufmanesque fun. To say the least, Charlie McDowell’s debut film is a worthwhile meditation on relationships, marred only by an ambiguous end-
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
“Mad Men’s” Elisabeth Moss stars in “The One I Love.” ing. The film, available for streaming on Netflix, was a favorite when it played at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. It is likely that none of these five films will win any awards, though all are beginning to receive critical recognition in some form another. If anything, these movies attest to the fact that you can skip the line for “Interstellar” and avoid paying $14 to see “Birdman,” and maybe even have a better time — all from the comfort of your living room. Email Alex Greenberger at agreenberger@nyunews.com.
The Israeli military is one of the few in the world that allows women to serve. The United States only lifted its ban on women in units that perform direct combat in 2013, yet women in Israel have had the right to serve in any role in the military since 2000. There is an interesting film that can be made out of this, one that explores the camaraderie among women on the front lines and dives into the male hostility that still exists. “Zero Motivation” is that film, one that audiences have needed for a while. The film, which hits theaters today, centers around a unit of female conscripts relegated to pencil-pushing in the desert. While men enjoy the prestigious positions of the base, the three leads are left to obsess over their personal agendas. Daffi (Nelly Tagar), who is given a fake job due to a lack of secretarial skills, seeks to be transferred out of the desert and into the city. Zohar (Dana Ivgy) is a jealous friend who, as the title would suggest, has little drive in the position she was forced into. Then there is Rama (Shani Klein), the senior officer whose dreams of advancement are undercut by leading this posse of slackers. At the core of the film is the relationship between Daffi and Zohar. The two share a very believable chemistry that is oddly reminiscent of “Superbad” — a type of friendship in which the juvenile slacker Zohar is baffled that her only friend Daffi has trivial goals, the kind that will break them apart. It allows for confrontational moments to coexist along with dark, comedic scenes. Zohar’s character finds a perfect balance
between the absurd and believable — the ridiculous lengths she goes to just to undercut her superiors are ridiculous enough to be funny, yet grounded in the familiar rebellious stages of youth. The character who subtly shines throughout is Rama. It takes a while, but she becomes genuinely sympathetic when viewers realize she actually wants to be there, rather than just dealing with the draft. The film does an excellent job of presenting a sisterhood within a male-dominated space, manifesting in dozens of simple ways. There is a constant feeling of contempt around the unit, not only because of their general lack of skill, but also because they are only there due to laws and conscription, and have no business on an actual combat base. Even Rama, who is established as having completely bought into the system, is genuinely brushed off whenever she tries to discuss her position with other officers. The overbearing presence of masculinity results in two of the darkest, most twisted moments in the entire film, diving into that toxic, misogynistic atmosphere that is becoming more and more unavoidable in today’s society. “Zero Motivation” is a fascinating film that explores a group of characters who are only interested in themselves — their military service being an unavoidable burden. It is well shot, raises critical questions, is humanly and emotionally grounded and is definitely worth a look. Email Carter Glace at film@nyunews.com.
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Crossword ACROSS 1 Moving 6 Wizard’s wear 10 Actor Guy of “Memento” 11 Indivisibly 13 They may be blocked in the winter 14 Last line of many a riddle 16 Entertainers with something to get off their chests? 19 Funeral masses 20 ___ Dome (old Colts home) 21 Milk source 22 Green sci. 23 Wise one? 27 Transfer ___ 28 Jokester 29 Contribute 30 Focus of The Source magazine 32 John McCain, for one 35 Baby seal 36 Summer abroad
37 French woman’s name meaning “bringer of victory” 42 The Bahamas, e.g. 46 Word before an advice columnist’s name 47 Tar Heels’ sch. 48 A tot may have a big one 49 Engage in oratory 51 Slimming technique, briefly 52 What a well may produce 54 Burns with a camera 55 O.C.’s home 56 Treat represented visually by this puzzle’s answer 61 One using acid, say 62 Wore 63 Good Samaritan, e.g. 64 Arena, maybe 65 Development on the north side?
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE S E L A P A I R F R U I O A S S A L P O G I L O B I R I T U A S S N C H P A R A O P E N D E E D S S N S
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Edited by Will Shortz
66 Mountain nymph DOWN 1 Anise relative 2 Hails 3 Major figure in space? 4 NATO member with the smallest population: Abbr. 5 Hot spot 6 Spreadsheet input 7 Lab safety org. 8 Benefit 9 Pass 10 Popular Polish dish 12 Mideast chieftains: Var. 13 Aston Martin DB5, for 007 15 Qom resident, e.g. 16 Tribe of the Upper Midwest 17 Writer John who was an authority on cards 18 Abbr. on a music score 23 Kind of gland 24 Covert maritime org. 25 Fight against 26 Nonhuman singer of a 1958 #1 song 29 Fast-food chain named after a spice 31 News inits. 33 Last thing learned in kindergarten? 34 Long-billed wader 38 Teller?
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PUZZLE BY DAVID WOOLF
39 Like liquor, in an Ogden Nash verse
44 They may be made with pitching wedges
40 Like volunteer work
45 Vehicles that often have unlicensed drivers
41 Place for un instituteur
53 Philosopher William of ___ 55 “… ish” 57 Lima’s place
42 “Wait ___!”
58 Eye part 50 Group associated with many tourist 59 Upbeat destinations
43 Nouveau ___
51 Took stock?
60 Eye part
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NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY CHRISTINA COLEBURN OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
GLOBAL AFFAIRS
Israel produces technology, cultural advances By JOSHUA Z. LAVINE Contributing Columnist
There are many different views of Israel. Some are positive and designate Israel as being one of the only stable democracies in the Middle East. Others are negative and focus on the controversial policies regarding interactions with the Palestinians. In recent weeks at NYU, various speakers have been brought to campus to explain their sides of the Israel story. NYU TorchPAC, a student branch of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, hosted a debate between Peter Beinart, a professor at CUNY and a liberal Zionist, and Noah Pollak, the executive director for the Emergency Committee for Israel and a conservative Zionist. Students for Justice in Palestine invited Steven Salaita, a professor whose offer to teach at the University of Illinois was rescinded following antiIsrael tweets during Operation Protective Edge over the summer. The Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life at NYU, in conjunction with the Israel on Campus Coalition, brought in David Makovsky, a former mem-
ber of the State Department’s Middle East Peace Team, to speak about his experiences dealing with the Israelis and the Palestinians during peace negotiations. With these highprofile speakers, many students might associate Israel with conflict. There is much more to Israel than just the fighting one hears about in the media, however. Israel is a country that has made significant advances in technology (the thumb drive), LGBTQ rights and medicine (the PillCam). The popular American TV show “Homeland” is based on the Israeli TV show “Hatufim,” or “Prisoners of War.” Next time someone is lost, he or she can use the Israeli-developed Waze app. Jewish student groups at NYU are bringing more of these nonpolitical elements to the Washington Square
campus. In late October, Shmutz, the Jewish theater troupe on campus, brought in Israeli Stage, who performed Anat Gov’s “Oh God,” a play detailing God’s relationship with humanity. On Dec. 7, Gesher: Israel at NYU, NYU’s cultural Israel club, will be hosting its Get Back to Israel Fair for students to explore summer internship and volunteer options in Israel. These two events are not aimed at creating political discourse. They are geared toward showing the other sides of Israel that are rarely seen globally. One can be critical of Israel, just as one can be critical of any other developed country, but Israel should not be defined by its conflicts. Instead, it should be recognized for its positive contributions to the international community. The fighting taking place between the Israelis and the Palestinians is terrible on both sides. But if the fighting stopped and the two sides could collaborate, imagine all the accomplishments that the countries could achieve. Email Joshua Z. Lavine at opinion@nyunews.com
SOCIAL JUSTICE
New blog well-intended, needs verification By RICHARD SHU Staff Columnist
Many high-minded things have been said about the nature of revenge. An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. The best revenge is living well. Live and let live. We are told from early on that revenge is not the path to righteousness, but damn if it isn’t satisfying. This is the philosophy of a new Tumblr founded in the wake of the Ferguson decision, simply titled Racists Getting Fired. It invites anonymous users to submit screenshots of racist and otherwise bigoted remarks made on social media, as well as the contact information of the racist individual’s employers. It then asks that readers submit reports of the employees’ racist behavior to their employers. Like many socially minded efforts on the Internet today, the blog has received its fair share of abuse. Of course, there are the racists and the apologists who believe the blog to be part of some menacing anti-white conspiracy, whose ire comes from twisted, deep-seated
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hate. But then, there are also the concerns of privacy — the implication that a few stray remarks made on the Internet could have disastrous real-life consequences. We have to remember that, especially in the realm of social media, the line between the Internet and real life is then blurred. When the shroud of anonymity is removed, social media is just people interacting with other people. Racist remarks on social media, then, should in no way be excused any more than racist remarks made face-to-face. Both come from a human mind, capable of discretion and critical thinking. The objections here are purely practical. It is entirely too easy to fake a social media post. And with layers upon layers of anonymity surrounding submis-
sions, falsifying posts and siccing a faceless Internet mob on potentially innocent people has never been easier. The Tumblr aims to do good, to rightfully remind racists that their bile is unwelcome, but in doing so it sheds all possibility of fairness. Nothing can be verified, and so no one can be found guilty. It denigrates a noble pursuit to the domain of petty revenge, the kind enacted rashly and with total disregard for consequences or collateral damage. This is the danger of vigilantism. We have already seen the disastrous results of extreme force injudiciously employed — protests, riots and calls for police reform are all too indicative that what we need now is more jurisprudence, not less. Getting racists fired is a noble cause, no doubt, and revenge can feel very sweet. But if we are to move beyond revenge, to justice and the betterment of our society, we simply need a higher standard of proof. Email Richard Shu at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
NYU loses credibility in light of Shanghai report
NYU’s less than illustrious past in labor disputes is only amplified by current accusations in Shanghai. NYU spokesman John Beckman said the company NYU hired to ensure fair labor practices “did not perform as expansive a compliance review as NYU desired, nor did they produce the detailed report that NYU requested.” When NYU created its statements of labor values, it promised fair working conditions. NYU must follow through on that pledge by fully monitoring the construction of its foreign campuses and not placing blame on third parties. NYU must make labor conditions a higher priority and hold itself accountable for violations on its campuses. This is hardly the first time NYU has faced allegations of poor labor practices. In May, news of harsh conditions at NYU Abu Dhabi surfaced with incidents of poor housing, violent strikebreaking and confiscated passports for immigrant workers. Despite NYU’s labor standards, NYUAD’s executive director of campus operations Margaret Bavuso said NYU was unable to offer protections to workers who were not hired specifically for university sites — including most of the construction workers used in Abu Dhabi, who outnumber non-construction workers 30 to one. NYU may have scored a labor victory by suspending its licensing contract with JanSport due to its parent company’s refusal to sign a fire-safety accord in Bangladesh, but this came after months of pressure from students and groups such as the Student Labor Action Movement. So far, there is no explicit evidence of abuse at the Shanghai campus. There is a clear failure to adequately ensure the protection of overseas workers, however. According to The New York Times, some professors have been unsuccessfully seeking information on the monitoring of overseas sites for three years. Now, with bad publicity looming, NYU has declared that it expected a fully detailed report until recently. Meanwhile, the firm handling working conditions in Shanghai claims that this information was “not part of [its] original scope.” A second firm has been hired to retrospectively complete the desired report. In light of NYU’s history of poor labor practices, however, NYU Shanghai vice chancellor Jeffrey Lehman’s statement that these new auditors have found no problems has to be taken with a grain of salt. The fact that university faculty members had such difficulty in obtaining information about Shanghai’s labor practices from the NYU administration shows that NYU must increase its transparency. Moreover, if the company NYU hired said the Statement of Labor values was not within the scope of the agreement, then NYU should have addressed this lack of communication much earlier. NYU will have to work long and hard to restore its credibility after its failure to oversee working conditions overseas.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Christina Coleburn (Chair), Omar Etman (Co-chair), Adam Fazlibegu (Co-chair), Tess Woosley (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.
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