The Hoya: The Guide: January 23, 2015

the guide FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Humor is Universal

Comedic play bridges cultural gap in US-Pakistan relations

From a cartoonist’s pencil to a playwright’s pen, satire can be wielded as a potent weapon against malignant forces, such as ignorance or extremism.

HANNAH KAUFMAN & MALLIKA SEN Hoya Staff Writers

“Amrika Chalo,” running this weekend as part of the Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics’ Myriad Voices festival, aims to tackle both these oppressive elements, with a comedic take on the U.S.-Pakistani relationship. The production, from the Lahore-based Ajoka Theatre, is set in the visa office of the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, and features a spate of stereotype-embodying characters.

“Humor makes people relaxed, and through it you can reach out to people beyond their prejudices and hurdles or blocks they have created because of their rigid social, religious or political positions,” playwright Shahid Nadeem, the executive director of Ajoka Theatre, said. “Obviously the U.S.-Pakistani relationship is a very complex matter. There’s a lot of double standards and hypocrisies involved on both sides, and people are so sensitive on some of the issues on both sides of the divide. The best way to address this complex and sensitive issue is through satire.”

ISABEL BINAMIRA/THE HOYA

Set in the visa section of the U.S. embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, “Amrika Chalo” satirizes both U.S. and Pakistani stereotypes.

*** The play makes its U.S. debut amid

an atmosphere of grief. The Jan. 7 attack on the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris left 12 dead and led to the rise of the “Je Suis Charlie” movement, concentrated on the protection of the freedoms of speech and expression. The terrorist attack, perpetrated by two al-Qaida-affiliated gunmen, infused a harrowing edge of fear into the realm of humor, drawing attention to the risks even professions trading in levity can face.

“We realized even before the events in France the implications and complexity of programming something like ‘Amrika Chalo’ that uses satire to expose stereotypes in U.S.-Pakistani relationships, the kinds of stereotypes that get carried on both sides,” Lab CoDirector Derek Goldman said. “The events in France put into such immediate and shocking relief the immediacy of the political danger and personal cost that artists are at the center of so frequently. … Figuring out how ‘Amrika Chalo’ was going to land on this campus, we needed to directly address this issue. We had to connect the dots.”

To that end, Goldman will host a panel entitled “Politics, Comedy, and

the Dangers of Satire” on Friday with Nadeem, Iranian-Canadian cartoonist Nikahang Kowsar, who was imprisoned in Iran’s Evin Prison of “Rosewater” infamy, and Imam Yahya Hendi, the university’s director of Muslim chaplaincy.

Pakistan, too, has recently weathered more than its fair share of tragedy, with the Dec. 16 Tehrik-i-Taliban massacre of over 130 schoolchildren at the Army Public School in the northwestern city of Peshawar.

“In Pakistan, there have been so many attacks on theater activities and music performances, and also on sectarian issues or issues relating to various ethnic groups and people attacking each other,” Nadeem said. “This kind of horror and insane violence is not new. We have been subjected to it for the last several decades. This obviously impacts our work. This creates fear, this creates frustration, and also anger, and it motivates or inspires us to challenge these notions and create an uproar, or a mood in the country to fight and eliminate such groups from society.”

See SATIRE, B2

THIS WEEK FEATURE

LIFESTYLE

Students Plan NY Summit GUWIL and GRLA cohost leaders in retail and luxury

EMMA GROSS Hoya Staff Writer

Past Struggles Remembered

The American Indian Museum has just opened a new exhibit featuring panels about the Dakota-U.S. War of 1862. B3

FOOD & DRINK

Store Service Fails to Impress

The newly opened Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop delivers savory subs alongside less than satisfactory service. B5

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Dahlia’s Debut Amazes

Kat Dahlia is a newcomer to the music scene, but she starts off with a powerful edge. B6

THEHOYA.COM/ GUIDE @thehoyaguide

On Thursday, Jan. 29, the Georgetown Retail and Luxury Association will team up with Georgetown Women in Leadership to cosponsor the first-ever Global Luxury Summit at the Time Warner Center in New York City.

The summit brings together CEOs and chairmen from top retail and luxury companies like Tom Ford International, Estee Lauder, Michael Kors, Kara Ross New York and the Ermenegildo Zegna Group.

The theme of the conference is “Building a Global Luxury Brand.” It will allow for these CEOs to share their experiences with Georgetown students and provide insight into their successes in the retail and luxury fields.

“Students will have the unique opportunity to interact with professionals and executives, during a reception, a panel (with an accompanying question-and-answer period) and a networking session. The Global Luxury Summit signifies a one of a kind opportunity to gain exposure and develop connections,” GRLA Director of Public Relations Anthony Fadil (MSB ’17) wrote in an email.

This is not the first time that these top CEOs have been in-

volved in university events, but this marks a new step in their campus relations.

“We have established relationships with many of the panelists and have been honored to have them on campus in the past as guest speakers,” Fadil said. “Given the theme of the Global Luxury Summit, we have identified our panelists as leaders in their field who have mastered their craft, risen to great heights and maintained successful brands through time. We are absolutely thrilled to host them in New York City and look forward to the insight and inspiration they will offer to those in attendance at the Global Luxury Summit.”

Only Georgetown students and alumni are permitted to attend the event, “as we want to offer our fellow Hoyas an unparalleled avenue through which they can explore a different facet of their professional interests,” Fadil said.

Admission to the event is free, and registration is available online — part of which requires an uploaded resume to be distributed at the event — as well as the opportunity to purchase a roundtrip bus ticket to the event in New York City.

Though this is just the first conference of its kind, GRLA hopes to continue the tradi-

GEORGETOWN RETAIL & LUXURY ASSOCIATION

Members of GRLA posed with Chanel President and COO John Galantic when he spoke in Gaston Hall last January. tion for years to come.

“The hope is that professional opportunities in retail and luxury will be increasingly integrated into the Georgetown community in order to capitalize on the interest expressed by our peers and the tremendous talent present among our student body,” Fadil said.

The Georgetown Retail and Luxury Association works to connect students to networking opportunities all year

through events such as the summit.

“Established in 2011 as a career-based outreach program for students interested in the retail and luxury industries, the GRLA serves as an outlet for international exposure to business and promotes Georgetown as a premier source of talent and leadership,” Fadil said.

See SUMMIT, B4

B2

the guide

THE HOYA

friday, January 23, 2015

FEATURE

Pakistani Theater Speaks to DC Crowds SATIRE, from B1 Ajoka Theatre was founded in 1983 during the regime of General Zia-ul-Haq, a repressive military dictator who undertook a program of Islamization of Pakistan. Nadeem, in political exile at the time, continued to contribute plays to be shown in his home country. The group was founded under the very oppression that it seeks to excise with its performances.

“I realized that I could do a better job in changing minds or making a just and more enlightened society by writing. So I started writing, and

“

Satire is a wonderful way of holding a mirror up to authority.”

freedom and who love to be a part of the world,” Nadeem said.

Islam is the official state religion in Pakistan, comprising about 95 percent of the population. Within this overarching religion are two primary sects: Sunni Islam, which makes up the overwhelming majority of the Islamic population, and Shia Islam, which comprises less than 20

versions say it’s forbidden,” Lab CoDirector Cynthia Schneider said.

This once-suppressed relation to song and dance has been countered by a blooming, creative community in Pakistan that accepts these elements as inherently part of its religion and identity.

“For all practical purposes, dancing and singing are such dominant elements of our cultural scene and our entertainment industry that nothing is possible — no cultural, social or religious activities, without an element of music or rhythmic element,” Nadeem said. “In a South Asian society like Pakistan, dance and song have been a very important part of our cultural since the beginning with our folk arts.

There will invariably be music and dance. It makes people enjoy themselves, and while they are enjoying a certain tune, they are also getting a certain message without even knowing it.”

The message of “Amrika Chalo” is one of broken-down stereotypes and finding common ground. It is about acknowledging one’s faults and values as well as the beliefs of others and then coming to an understanding through a shared appreciation of humor and artistic form.

“Satire is a wonderful way of holding a mirror up to authority, of pointing out the mistakes, the shortcomings of people in usually powerful positions. What I think is special about satire is that humor is something that brings people together, so satire is a kind of gentle way of criticizing, but in the same time it’s very powerful, because making fun of someone very much undermines their authority,” Schneider said. “It’s on the one hand humanizing and something that people of many different cultures and ages and backgrounds can relate to and understand.” ***

CHARLIE HEBDO

“Je Suis Charlie” became a slogan for freedom of speech and freedom of the press shortly after the terrorist attack at a newspaper office in France. then I realized theater is an effective medium of communication, and I could do a good job by doing theater,” Nadeem said.

The playwright did, however, criticize the manner in which certain artistic groups choose to express their beliefs to elicit change.

“Instead of building on the solidarity which emerged after the Paris attacks … it was immediately followed by the reprinting of the cartoons, which I thought was unnecessary,” Nadeem said. “They were making a point about freedom of expression, but they didn’t realize that if you have negative reaction in many Muslim countries, and for people like us who were working in those societies, it will become even more difficult to mobilize them against terrorism and against incidents like the Paris massacre.”

Here, Nadeem believes that this two-way lack of understanding has only further alienated these cultures from one another.

“We see a certain kind of divergence between how the freedom of expression is perceived in the West and how it is perceived in the Islamic world,” Nadeem said. “It’s what they call the clash of civilization, which

“

We are people who love culture, who love freedom and who love to be a part of the world.”

percent of the population.

Delving further into these two sects, one finds a plethora of beliefs regarding the Quran and the Islamic faith of which militant Islamists only constitute a small percentage.

“My group and I are totally secu-

The Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics was founded by Schneider, a professor of diplomacy in the School of Foreign Service and former ambassador, and Goldman, a professor of theater and performance studies and artistic director of the Davis Center for Performing Arts. The pair intended the initiative to marry performance and international affairs to further cul-

“

The events in France put into such immediate and shocking relief the immediacy of the political danger and personal cost that artists are at the center of so frequently.”

lar people. We don’t believe religion should be confused with politics, social or economic activity. It should be a matter of personal belief and should not intervene in your social relationships,” Nadeem said.

The general kind of Islam that dominates Pakistani culture is far from the skewed depiction that dominates the media. Through its performance, “Amrika Chalo” shows that artistic expression can and does often coexist with Muslim values. “[In the play,] there’s a lot of singing and dancing, which, you see, is already destroying a certain kind of stereotype. The kind of Islam that Saudi Arabia has funded and perpetrated all over the world, which is only one type, the Wahhabi version of Islam, says that singing and dancing are not good. Some extreme

tural understanding. The Myriad Voices project, in particular, aims to facilitate understanding of countries with Muslim-majority populations.

“The biggest lessons are ones about commonality. It’s impossible to exist in the world without inheriting a lot of stereotypes and reductive assumptions about even those of us who see themselves as the most openminded,” Goldman said. “We carry all kinds of stereotypes, and I think the function of performance in this context is that it serves a truly humanizing function. It allows people to see themselves more complexly and their own blind spots and it allows people from those parts of the world where all we know about or hear about are certain kinds of headlines, it enables human encounters,

ISABEL BINAMIRA/THE HOYA

Although its past plays have risked criticism and censorship, Ajoka Theatre remains a popular cultural outlet in its home country, Pakistan. intimate realizations.”

In April, Georgetown will play host to the multimedia “Generation (WH)Y” weekend summit, featuring the stories and interactions of youth from the United States and countries of focus.

“The students are going to build up scenarios based on things they care about in their lives. What people will see again is the commonalities and differences between the Georgetown student and the student at the National Academy in Pakistan, or the student in Doha, or the student in Palestine,” Schneider said. “We’ll find some things that people share in common or are concerned about. We’re going to look at themes like what is home to you, what makes you laugh, what makes you cry — these basic human things.” *** The two-year Myriad Voices festival hit a snag early in the academic year, with an indefinite suspension of a performance of “Syria: The Trojan Women.” The event was to bring Syrian refugees, currently living in Jordan, to Georgetown to perform an adaptation of Euripides’ “The Trojan Women,” but the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs in Amman denied the performers visas, citing failure to demonstrate non-immigrant intent.

The Lab replaced the Septem-

“

“

My group and I are totally secular people.

We don’t believe religion should be confused with politics, social or economic activity.”

about just access and identity and the [United States’] own rhetoric as a free nation and a place securing the world.”

The community similarly seems to be embracing the upcoming performance of “Amrika Chalo.”

“Both nights are sold out, and we’ve probably sold out the matinee … so I think there’s a great deal of enthusiasm. Pakistani-Americans realize that these voices are very seldom heard. Instead, all you hear

It’s impossible to exist in the world without inheriting a lot of stereotypes and reductive assumptions about even those of us who see themselves as the most open-minded.”

ber event with “Voices Unheard,” a summit with panelists and a video chat with the performers that highlighted both the plight of the Syrian women, as well as the ramifications and state of policy.

“What was so moving in all the challenges, frustrations and heartbreak was the community outpouring that was experienced through

I think does not really exist, but in these such activities you are creating a gulf. You are making life for secular, democratic forces in Muslim countries more difficult with such reactions.” *** With the current media attention centered on extremist militant groups like al-Qaida and the Islamic State, American public opinion tends to oversimplify Islam and cast it off as an uncompromising and hostile religion.

This minority of radical and violent Islamist militants has overshadowed the subtleties and differing ideologies of the various sects of Islam, and “Amrika Chalo” confronts this stigma head-on by showing a side of Muslim-dominated Pakistani culture that extends beyond these common stereotypes.

“Although we are passing through a difficult time when an irrational and insanely violent group, small but very vocal, is trying to dominate the scene, the society has come out of these crises. Don’t just at look Pakistan from the mirror of media depots of extremist activities. We are people who love culture, who love

the summit and the relationships that were built — the women’s sense of connection to the Georgetown community that was embracing them in this experience,” Goldman said. “In some ways, it’s kind of perfect that that project is set in a visa office in Islamabad. The conversations about the Syrian Trojan women opened up conversations

FILE PHOTO: MICHELLE XU/THE HOYA

The Georgetown performance of “Syria: The Trojan Women,” was delayed after the performers were denied U.S. visas. Their voices were later able to be heard through a summit that included panelists and a live video chat.

about is the Taliban and the ISI, and they exist, no question about it. But there are a lot of other dimensions to Pakistan as any country, so the community here is very pleased that we are doing this,” Schneider said.

There will be security at the events, and Goldman alluded to the establishment of a campus protocol.

“We are in a very particular moment culturally and we just want to make sure that you can’t be too careful. I don’t get any sense from the artists and from Shahid that they feel a heightened sense of risk,” Goldman said. “Ajoka has a long history of doing work that goes way against the grain in terms of the politics of Pakistan. Shahid is incredibly deft and artful and articulate about how satire has actually created a space for people on both sides of the politics to come together and recognize things.”

The positive reception of the forthcoming production realizes the inherent goal behind the both the Lab and the festival — commonality.

“We are a Pakistani group raising issues in Pakistan, and our expression is cultural, artistic expression meant for a Pakistani audience.

There are very few groups like ours.

There you get tremendous response whenever we perform. When we go to India, we get even more enthusiastic responses, because we share the culture, the language and the issues,” Nadeem said. “But in the West, obviously there are certain restrictions or disadvantages when you talk about theater, the language and the cultural background. So when you get such enthusiastic responses in a city like Washington, this is very encouraging and exciting.”

the guide

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

THE HOYA

B3

ARTS FEATURE

BAMA ROGUE

Jasmine White

Leaving Childhood Behind I

’ve never been the type to adjust to change well. After my eighthgrade graduation, I went through a sort of mid-life crisis or whatever you might call a 14-year-old’s equivalent of that. I didn’t have to change schools because our curriculum had been designed to serve grades seven through 12, yet still the idea of high school seemed burdensome.

My concept of high school mostly came from Disney-produced teenage movies. I imagined myself going to parties, dating, staying out late with friends.

I was about to be granted a new type of freedom (and responsibility,) yet instead of feeling exhilarated, I just felt frightened. How could I be old enough to go to high school? It just didn’t seem possible.

However, I quickly realized that the change would not be as drastic as I had imagined. In fact things were mostly the same. And ironically, I was a bit disappointed by that fact. Still, normalcy was comfortable, and I found safety in it. And suddenly I was a senior in high school, stressed with preparation for ACTs, SATs, and numerous college applications.

At first I was incredibly excited about graduating and becoming an “adult.”

And, contrary to my personality, I had been set since sophomore year on going to college out-of-state, much to my father’s disapproval. I dreamed of independence, of living alone in a city where not every corner was familiar.

After receiving notification from all the universities I had applied to, I made my decision to come to Georgetown.

Washington, a small city with a big city feel, would be nothing like Birmingham.

It would be all mine to discover, all mine to create the type of memories I had only read about in books or seen in movies.

Again, I was reliving that Disney-esque fantasy, but this time it didn’t seem so scary.

Then April came. The same feeling I had felt at the end of eighth grade suddenly crept over me, but it was much more intense this time. Again I asked, how could I be old enough to go to college? How could time have passed like that? I was still young and yet I felt so old.

I thought back over the years. When exactly had I put down the Barbie dolls and the plastic princess shoes? When exactly did I stop believing in fairytales and magic? When exactly was the last time I held my father’s hand while crossing the street?

I began to realize all that university meant. I was closing a chapter of my life and being forced into the next one. Leaving behind my childhood, I realized it was the hardest type of goodbye.

And for that reason, transitioning into college was much more difficult. I had to say goodbye to my family. I had to leave behind the city that I sometimes loved to hate, though mostly it was always love. I had to re-learn how to make friends, after having the same circle for five years.

In my first few weeks at Georgetown, I was incredibly lonely. My roommate seemed to make friends much easier than I did, which made me feel even more dejected. Every weekend she went out while I stayed in our dorm to scroll through old Twitter and Facebook feeds, I was envious. Every time my family called and asked how I would like Georgetown, I pretended to be happy while secretly wondering if I should transfer.

As a result, the first half of this past semester, I was filled with doubt. Could the Hilltop really become home for me? Was leaving Alabama a bad choice?

I now know that my biggest mistake was coming into college expecting my experience to play out in a certain way.

I expected it to be like everyone else’s experience, which obviously unrealistic. If I had come to Georgetown without any expectations, as a complete blank slate, I believe my transition might have been a lot easier.

However, even with all these difficulties, all the newness eventually became familiar. Habits formed unknowingly. Changes suddenly became my routine. I returned to Birmingham in December expecting for everything I had left to be as usual. But home felt different. Home was still home, but then again, it wasn’t anymore. That’s what I thought in the beginning.

I later realized Alabama hadn’t changed. It was still the old sweet state I’d been raised in. Instead, it was I who had changed. Unconsciously, I had, if only a little, become different. The girl who had walked across a stage in front of hundreds of parents just six months prior to receive her diploma was no longer me. As cliche as it might sound, I no longer felt like a little girl, though perhaps not yet a woman. And now, I am realizing that another word for change can be growth, and growth is something I don’t need to fear. So I won’t.

Jasmine White is a freshman in the College.

BAMA ROGUE appears every other Friday.

NICK BIGGS-CHIROPOLOS/THE HOYA

The exhibit is rather text-heavy and fails to portray the battle in an interesting manner. The controversies between the settlers and the American Indian people are described in great detail but do not provide the most entertaining experience.

Brutality in History Exhibit adequately portrays Dakota battle

NICK BIGGS-CHIROPOLOS Hoya Staff Writer

The National Museum of the American Indian’s newest feature is a travelling exhibit called “Commemorating Controversy: The Dakota-U.S. War of 1862.” The exhibition, created by students at Gustavus Adolphus College, provides an insight to this largely ignored part of American history.

The exhibition opened last week on Jan. 14 and will run through Dec. 29. At the end of the year it will travel to a new venue, as it has done for the past two years.

While the subject matter is very interesting, the exhibit itself is rather bland because it is simply a dozen descriptive panels of this particular war. It does not feature any unique artwork or artifacts.

Instead, the exhibit is more so a history lesson that many Americans would do well to look over, since the brutality towards American Indians is largely ignored.

The first two panels give a brief overview that introduces the topic and admits the descriptions may not sympathize with all sides of the story — as it clearly goes on to display the Dakotas as victims of brutality. The second panel is a chronological timeline of the war and its causes.

The third, entitled “Dakota Way of Being,” is the most interesting part of the exhibition. It displays a verse that provides insight into Dakota values, which include promoting their connection to the earth, animals on which they rely and the concept of a circle of life. The next nine panels explain the story of the Dakota-U.S.

War of 1862.

The Dakotas were a tribe that historically lived in Minnesota. Their first white contacts were fur traders, who established peaceful trade relations with them.

However, in the mid-19th century about 160,000 white settlers came to Minnesota and conflict soon arose. Indians signed several treaties with the U.S. government that sold their land in return for payments of money and food.

However, the government payments were usually late, if they even came at all, and the food was usually rotten.

Once the Dakota tribe moved from their original land, whites imposed their own values upon the Indians — dictating assimilation into their culture and urging them to convert to Christianity. One picture shows Dakota people awkwardly wearing white farmers’ outfits.

When this assimilation failed, the Dakotas declared war in 1862 and most of the settlers fled.

The Dakotas ultimately lost the war to a more technologically advanced U.S. army, even though this force was largely distracted by the Civil War. Of 393 akicita (authorities), 323 were convicted of crimes and typically sentenced to death. The tribe then fled Minnesota once and for all, relocating to reservations around the western United States and, according to the exhibit, the conflict still affects them to this day. The U.S. government paid the remaining money they owed the Dakotas from the treaties to aid white victims of the war instead of the tribe.

One reason the conflict has received little attention historically is because it occurred during the Civil War, which distracted President

Abraham Lincoln and most of the American public. However, another explanation is probably an American sense of guilt for the unfair treatment of the Dakota tribe, which the exhibit seeks to convey.

In the late 20th century, the Indians, in conjunction with local Minnesotans, constructed a few monuments to the Dakotas, thus finally recognizing them. Nevertheless, the issue weakened the tribe and led them to live on non-native reservations, which has supposedly held back their communities ever since.

The controversy of the Dakota-U.S. war is undoubtedly a topic that should get more attention and an interesting feature of the National Museum of the American Indian. Yet while the content is important, the presentation lacks much appeal.

“Commemorating Controversy” is simply a collection of unoriginal panels with mostly writing. Although it was carefully organized by students, the facts presented can probably all be found using the extensive resources of Lauinger Library, which does not even begin to touch upon the wealth of information about this issue available on the Internet.

While the exhibit serves as an important reminder of this war and its place in American history, there is nothing unique about the exhibit to warrant a trip to the National Museum of the American Indian. Getting off campus and taking advantage of what Washington, D.C. has to offer, such as the Smithsonian collections, is important. However, Georgetown students are also constantly busy, so this particular exhibit probably is not worth the trip down to the National Mall.

CENTER STAGE

SFS Student Begins Filmmaking Journey BRYAN YUEN

Hoya Staff Writer

Flmmaker Mesbah Uddin (SFS ’15) is the writer, director and executive producer of the upcoming film “11:59,” scheduled for release in April. Uddin dissects his process and the ways in which his style has changed since his first production, 2014’s “Freshman Again.”

If you didn’t have any formal background, how did you get started on the first film?

I came to Georgetown thinking I was going to be a government major and I was going to go into community organizing and run for office at some point. A year into my Georgetown life, I figured out politics was not for me.

Last semester sophomore year, one of my best friends was doing a documentary on Islamophobia in the United States. He was going to give the footage to an acquaintance of his to edit and direct because he had no experience with film editing at all. That acquaintance bailed last minute and my friend was absolutely devastated. He came to me really upset and so I said, “I’ll help you out, let’s put something together.” I had no experience at all.

That semester, we spent over 200 hours both learning how to use the editing software and learning how to put together a documentary. At the end of the semester, we had a

45-minute documentary. What started as me having an advising role eventually saw me becoming the project’s co-director. I changed my major to culture and politics, allowing myself to take more film-related classes. I wanted to learn more about filmmaking and the process. My favorite filmmaker [is] Quentin Tarantino. He says, “If you want to make a film just go out there and make a film, don’t ask anyone’s permission just go out there and by the end of the film you will know how to make a film.” I just followed that advice, I just went out there with my DLSR and recruited a bunch of my friends and made “Freshman Again.”

What do you hope for with your new film, “11:59”? Where do you hope it goes? How do you see its future?

For “Freshman Again,” it was myself and three of my friends just running around and doing everything for the film. We were all sort of doing whatever we needed to do and we didn’t know what to do. I just gave everyone producer credits; I didn’t even know what a producer did. For “11:59,” I was really careful to pick people with certain expertise that fit into the process of filmmaking. My shortterm goal is to keep harmony going within the team — make sure everybody is doing what they’re supposed to be doing, picking up the right skills, communicating with the sponsors and all the collaborators outside and making sure we get the resources we need.

Long term, obviously, is that come April 11, premiere time, I want people to have an enjoyable experience of the film. “11:59” is about the life of a chronic procrastinator, so there will be fun elements that everyone can relate to. Under that, it’s also an exploration of mental health issues. That’s something that people don’t talk a lot about at Georgetown. Hopefully through the film people will really engage with those issues a little bit more.

Pretend I’m Jimmy Kimmel and you’re promoting your movie on my show, what would you say about “11:59”?

I think it will be a very honest exploration of what it means to be a college student and not have your life figured out. My protagonist has his problems because of certain things that happened to him in his personal life and things which affected his mental health.

Anyone who sees what he’s going through DAN GANNON/THE HOYA will recognize that you don’t have to go Mesbah Uddin (SFS ’15) has been pursuing through the same process to feel the way he a new filmmaking project titled “11:59.” is. You can relate to a struggle because every-

one has those struggle but for different reasons. So while the reason may not be applicable for everyone, the feeling of being lonely, the feeling of not knowing where your life is headed — I think those are things everyone can relate to.

What about the future for you? Where do you see yourself going and what are your hopes for filmmaking?

If all goes right, I’m going to be studying film at the University College London. I want to spend the entire year [there] just soaking in everything I can about film. After I come back, I don’t know where life will take me.

I am pragmatic enough to know that the director’s line is the longest in the filmmaking industry. It’s one of the industries where meritocracy doesn’t work — it’s about whom you know, it’s about connections. That’s why you see filmmakers who keep bombing, but keep getting gigs. I have no illusions as to the practicality of the industry; I had to give it a lot of thought, trust me. I mean, imagine that conversation with your parents. I’m a first-generation kid, my parents are from the working class. They were expecting me to graduate from Georgetown, a prestigious institution, get a good job. All those things were going well to a point and then I was just like, “Ah, I’m not really enjoying this.”

You constantly have to think of what works [and] what doesn’t so that you can sustain the artist in you too, because if you can’t put food on the table, then the artist in you is going to die.

Out of that struggle come some of the most creative films ever. Lack of resources and necessity are really the father and mother of innovation. If you don’t have expensive equipment, maybe you find a way to rig your camera and do this cool shot and you’re like “Woah, I never knew this could be done.”

Is there anything else you’d like to add about yourself or the filmmaking process?

One of the goals of making the film is to inspire independent student artists at Georgetown. When I first came to Georgetown, I never really thought of this place as being conducive to student art, or any kind of art. Contrary to that popular belief, there are actually a lot of cool, artsy people at Georgetown. The only problem is that they are all sort of in their own underground bubbles; there’s no platform for everyone to come together and collaborate.

There are so many great people with artistic skills, somebody should really find a way to bring everyone together. With these student film projects, I try to do that.

B4

the guide

THE HOYA

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

APPS THE DAILY CUT Free

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

GUWIL, whose board is shown above, has teamed up with GRLA to host a retail and luxury conference in New York, providing valuable tips from leading industry figures.

Conference Creates New Opportunity to Network SUMMIT, from B1 “With the intention of presenting the Georgetown community with access to informational and networking opportunities, the GRLA organizes lectures and invites guest speakers to campus. These speakers share the insights gained through their unique corporate experiences, elaborate on the world of retail and luxury, and address their views on the future of the industries,” Fadil said.

The summit holds equal importance to its co-sponsor, Georgetown Women in Leadership, an organization focused on encouraging undergraduate women to become leaders in their careers.

“GUWIL’s general goals are to equip our undergraduate members with the resources they need to excel personally and professionally,” GUWIL President Alana Snyder ( ’16) said to The Hoya in an email.

“We accomplish this with weekly roundtable discussions, workshops or speakers,” said Snyder. GUWIL is most known for its OWN IT Summit. Similar to this particular event, the summit featured prominent women in their fields to discuss their success and offered networking opportunities.

The tickets for the event sold out within a day.

Last semester, GRLA asked GUWIL to help co-sponsor this particular event.

“We chose to sponsor the event because the retail industry is currently develop-

ing in a way that makes more job opportunities. Because of these blank spaces, we want to encourage women to get involved and find room to be leaders,” Snyder said.

Both organizations foresee the same benefits in sponsoring the Global Luxury Summit – providing Georgetown students with even more networking and learning opportunities to explore their future careers.

“We hope that students leave this event feeling like they have a better understanding for what potential there is for growth of the retail industry and that Georgetown is paving the way for women and men alike to find success in this area,” Snyder said.

GRLA wants the same. “We hope that students will learn from the experiences and advice of our panelists in order to maximize their incredible potential and become more aware of the endless possibilities open to them,” Fadil said.

“Consequently, we hope that this remarkable event provides a launching pad for students to identify areas of interest and ultimately reach the goals that they set out to achieve.”

The combined effort of GRLA and GUWIL to host leading professionals in the industries of retail and luxury has culminated in a conference that is sure to become an annual tradition. While the location of the event may seem to be out of the way, the opportunities and experiences gathered during this summit will make it well worth the trip.

THE CINEMA FILES

Belgian Filmmakers Portray Everyday Struggles

N

o film now playing in theaters is as moved and challenged by her coworkers’ more immediately pertinent to the own predicaments. life of a Georgetown student than the Yet, no one is in quite the same quandary Dardenne brothers’ “Two Days, One Night.” as Sandra, who has to muster every last bit of Presumably, no one reading this column is her will to trudge onward in the face of concurrently married with children in a work- stant rejection and mounting depression. ing-class neighborhood in Belgium, but it’s Cotillard’s famously expressive face — she’s almost certainly true that many of us have been likened to a silent-movie actress for the dealt with or are currently struggling with sound age — captures Sandra’s every slight rejection, depression, feelings of isolation shift in mood and emotional wellbeing, ofand anxieties about the future. ten in opposition to the rehearsed words of Enter Sandra (Marion Cotillard, freshly resolve she repeats at every new doorstep. As and deservedly nominated for an Oscar), a the weekend progresses, Sandra finds herself young wife and mother on a medical leave in an increasingly deeper pit, with her mediof absence from her job at a solar-panel fac- cation proving to be less and less effective in tory after experiencing an unalleviating her mental turmoil. specified episode of prolonged What does prove effective, and depression. Sandra wakes from a what the Dardenne brothers emnap on a Friday afternoon to the phasize here as in all of their films, gnat-like harassment of a phone is the quiet power of empathy. The call from a coworker bearing dire course of Sandra’s life is literally news. Sandra’s boss is letting her altered by split-second interactions go for good after having forced with those around her. Dejected her coworkers to vote to take bo- Tim Markatos after a string of unsuccessful meetnuses out of the money originalings, Sandra takes a U-turn when ly allotted for Sandra’s salary. Sandra downs she confronts Timur, a younger coworker an antidepressant and races over to the who unexpectedly breaks down upon her arfactory just in time to catch her supervisor rival. It’s not that he’s unwilling to give up on his way out. A deal is made: The factory his bonus; quite to the contrary, he had been employees will vote again by secret ballot on desperately hoping Sandra would talk to him Monday, leaving Sandra with the weekend to so he could help her in any way he could. find and convince each to give up his bonus Sandra did not realize it in the throes of her to allow her to come back to work. depression, but her presence and subsequent If that premise sounds like a stretch, don’t absence at the factory made unshakeable be deceived. In the hands of any other direc- impressions on her coworkers. Timur’s brief tors, this story may have felt overly staged; in- witness completely changes Sandra’s mood stead, the script and camera are in the hands and renews her interest in finishing her inof Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, a Belgian quiries. filmmaking duo with a knack for realism The end of this particular journey is a long and humanist drama that has netted them way off, with several more seismic shifts some of the most prestigious awards in the in Sandra’s disposition in store. When the world of international cinema. With the day of the new vote rolls around, we’re preDardennes pulling all the strings and film- pared to expect the worst; knowing how the ing the proceedings as though documenting Dardennes and the reality they seek to emureality and with the adept Cotillard in the late operate, it’s no spoiler to reveal that there starring role, Sandra’s odyssey is a believable are some complications to the happy ending and devastating rollercoaster of successes we want for Sandra. Yet, even in the face of a and defeats. less-than-optimal outcome, Sandra considers The film plays out in long takes that en- hers a success story. “I’m happy,” she reports hance the verisimilitude of Sandra’s visits to to her husband by phone, and only by Hollyeach of her coworkers in search of votes and wood standards would she be mistaken. The sympathy. While the individual circumstanc- minute we begin to measure our successes in es of each employee differ, a few constants terms of money made or titles conferred rathobstruct Sandra’s mission in each case. Liv- er than in terms of lives loved and neighbors ing in a working-class industrial town, none helped is the very minute we set ourselves up of Sandra’s coworkers are in a position to for ruinous failure. give up their bonuses, even though many of them want to have her back at the factory. Tim Markatos is a senior in the Though we’re meant to root for Sandra by College. THE CINEMA FILES appears narrative standards, it’s hard not to be just every other Friday.

With apps like YouTube and Vine, the plethora of videos available on the web can be overwhelming. The new app The Daily Cut eliminates this problem by providing a clean interface to allow stress-free video streaming. Content from interviews to factual videos to news are all featured, and daily updates allow users to always be in the loop. Compilations featuring several publications such as Time and People provide an increased selection of content from reputable sources, but they are all sorted together so they are easy to find. You could spend hours searching through The Daily Cut, or the unique search engine included could find interesting content for you. The easy navigation makes this app a keeper — and certainly one that everyone should download onto their smartphones.

NIKE+ TRAINING CLUB Free Considering the countless New Year’s resolution hopes of getting in shape, it can be easy to give up or become too busy to plan and accomplish this goal. This new app from Nike essentially eliminates this issue. With workouts from fitness professionals like Serena Williams in your pocket, getting in shape is just a few taps away. Short videos and explanations of moves allow even beginners to get in shape, and the inclusion of a fitness plan ensures that users will not stop using it. It can even sync to other Nike products such as the Nike Fuel band and Nike+ profile. Special features like the workout of the week keep it interesting, and social-media connections let users share workouts and see how others are doing. To get in shape and stick with it, download this app and achieve the results that are expected from Nike.

COMMITTO3 Free For the list-maker and over-planner in all of us, the new app CommitTo3 forces users to make three commitments per day and stick with them. Once they are completed, users check them off in a clean interface. Examples include finishing that big paper or attending that important meeting, and once the tasks are done, they can be shared with friends and results can be compared. Did your mom do everything she said she wanted to do? Were your friends really working hard in the library?

Check to see the success of everyone’s to-do lists — a type-A person’s heaven. It has been raved about and called the “best new application of the year,” and there are in-app purchases available to add feature improvements. Get organized in 2015 with CommitTo3.

LIFESTYLE TIP

DRYER SHEETS http://www.lifehack.org

When the cold outside is too brutal and you need to crank up the heat, sometimes the old appliances can make your dorm smell bad and feel uncomfortable.

It is no secret that air conditioning applicances in Georgetown dorms have seen better days, and students have been trying to find a way to fix this on a budget. One tip to make your dorm smell fresher and cleaner while still maintaining the warmth is to tape a dryer sheet over the heating unit. Instantly, it will crank out heat or air conditioning with the smell of fresh linen, and at a low cost. A small space can seem even more cramped and damp when a bad smell contaminates the air, so be sure to always please your roommate and replace the dryer sheet as needed to keep the room smelling fresh.

ON THE PROWL | MONTERRICO, GUATEMALA

DANIEL SMITH/THE HOYA

the guide

friday, January 23, 2015

THE HOYA

B5

RESTAURANt review

Baking a Difference for Veterans Dog Tag bakery



3206 Grace St. NW | Cuisine: Bakery | $$$$ GIANNA PISANO Hoya Staff Writer

Right off Wisconsin Avenue, on a little strip called Grace Street, lies a quaint brick building boasting patriotic red, white and blue flags. It’s called Dog Tag Bakery, and it’s Georgetown’s latest attraction worth visiting to try a treat and learn about the company’s message. A not-for-profit organization founded Connie Milstein and Georgetown professor Fr. Rick Curry, S.J., the bakery gives a portion of its proceeds to veterans and also provides classroom space to give work experience to disabled individuals.

Upon entering the bakery, it was evident that the store prioritizes keeping the space clean. White walls and washed-wood floors provide the light feel that anyone would want from a bakery, and comfortable red-leather chairs allow visitors to lounge around and connect to Wi-Fi. It is a well-lit store with a pleasant ambiance and decorations that imply its mission to help veterans. The hashtag #BakingADifference is both catchy and cute, and another sign reads: “Heroes don’t wear capes, they wear dog tags.” Before even ordering any baked goods, it was clear that the owners behind Dog Tag have a genuine passion and respect for those in the armed forces.

A clear wall into the kitchen dis-

plays employees hard at work, baking all goods in-house. The cashiers happily gave the company’s story and the bakery’s creations when asked, making sure that all new customers are aware of the impact Dog Tag is about to make. They mentioned the best things and most popular orders, so I ended up selecting a brownie and two cake pops — one chocolate truffle and one coconut-coffee.

The brownie is nothing special; the most unique part was that it is the recipe of original co-founder Milstein, so it is included in the bakery’s offerings to pay homage to her. It was priced at $2.75, high, but comparable to other desserts in Georgetown.

Meanwhile, the cake pops were priced at two for $1.75, and they were absolutely delicious. The double chocolate was fudgey inside, with a rich chocolate frosting and vanilla drizzle. There were even chocolate chips on top, giving it the ultimate death-by-chocolate feel.

The coconut-coffee was crispy and tasty, with another rich, chocolatey inside. The unique flavor was sweet, almost butterscotch, and paired well with the chocolate. Enough to make you full for a whole meal, the cake pops stole the show and will be the reason I return to Dog Tag. The selection included a wide variety of blended teas, an impressive coffee bar and savory snacks such as sandwiches and salads. Atten-

ISABEL BINAMIRA/THE HOYA

Dog Tag Bakery has a wide variety of baked goods and beverages to satisfy any sweet tooth, and the appealing display and ambiance make it a great place to hang out and grab a snack. tive employees offered to take dirty plates and asked if guests needed anything else, ensuring a pleasant experience and excellent customer service with any visit. On a Saturday afternoon, there was a steady crowd but still plenty of places to sit and lounge around, and the customer service was up to the challenge of the large audience.

The bakery’s company, Dog Tag

Inc., is dedicated to improving the lives of veterans, and the storefront at Georgetown aims to spread this mission in our local community.

Additionally, there is a six-month business administration program where students at Georgetown can be involved in this business model.

Everything about the company is admirable, and knowing that an impact can be made one baked

good at a time is reassuring. It gives another reason to indulge in treats — as if another reason was needed.

With a passion to do good while providing tasty treats, Dog Tag is as well-rounded as a bakery can get.

From excellent food to stellar service and a pleasant environment, there is truly something for everyone at Dog Tag, and everyone should check it out while on a Georgetown outing.

RECIPES

RESTAURANT review

Crockpot chicken noodle soup

recipefavorite.com Now that the holiday season is over, the January-February slump is among us. Cozy up in your apartment with some easy crockpot chicken soup to unwind and warm up, because the winter months are just beginning.

CAPRIOTTI’S

The new M Street location of Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop serves many types of sandwiches, salads and other lunch entrees, but the taste has yet to be matched by a friendly customer experience.

Capriotti’s Service Disappoints

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups chopped carrots 2 ribs of chopped celery 1 medium-sized onion, peeled and sliced 2 slices peeled ginger

2-3 stocks fresh rosemary 8 boneless chicken thighs 1 container chicken broth salt and pepper 2 cups egg noodles

Spray crockpot with non-stick spray.

Combine all ingredients in the crockpot.

Capriotti’s Sandwich shop



3347 M St. NW | Cuisine: Sandwich Shop | $$$$

Cook on low heat for 8 hours.

Remove chicken while cooking, shred with a fork, replace into pot.

Add noodles and cook on high for 20-30 more minutes.

Alex Mitchell Hoya Staff Writer

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop is about as Georgetown as an engineering degree or good football.

In many ways, this new M Street eatery is the antithesis of the culture that is nearly ubiquitous throughout Wisconsin Avenue and M Street. Its vacuous, shining interior is no Tombs or Wisey’s, and its dearth of community is by far the establishment’s greatest failure.

I will preface by saying if your goal is simply to purchase a sandwich, this pseudo-Arby’s definitely does the trick. But if you’re looking for somewhere to sit down with friends, chat for a while and add to the canon of venerated Georgetown establishments, you’re going to have a bit of a problem at Capriotti’s.

Nothing is wrong with a quick eat. Many of the Georgetown joints we’ve come to love have defining characteristics and quirks that have enshrined them in our memories of college. They’ve become part of our community. Whether it’s Eat & Joy, Booey’s or even Harmony Cafe, these restaurants are part of our neighborhood, despite their lack of classic “Georgetown” tartan tapestry and preppy memorabilia. They feel local.

Think of the experience of eating at Good Stuff Eatery: Good Stuff has fun music, pleasant seating upstairs and a television. Its interior is inviting, even though it is part of a chain. No such graciousness exists at Capriotti’s. The sterile interior looks like Subway mixed with an

actual subway. The original red Georgetown brick of the structure’s foundation is faded into nebulous, dull black. No photos hang on the walls. The only televisions in the establishment play an endless feed of Capriotti’s own advertisements, as if some bizarre Orwellian advertising scheme had been adopted. But, it’s no surprise that this culture-neutral restaurant barely has the charm of a McDonald’s or Sizzler; the chain does span 16 states, stretching from California to Georgia. They may not have the time to try to personalize each restaurant to a specific location, and that is definitely understandable.

The larger issue for me rests with the service.

I have never wanted to please the cashier of an establishment as much as I did “Steve” behind the counter. More like a little league’s demanding baseball coach than a restaurant manager, Steve made me feel as if there was a strict script and list of options that I should have memorized prior to arrival.

The smallest cup size, as it was made evident to me, was a “medium.” If you tried to incorrectly pair their meal, you were met with a swift, curt “no.” And if you took too much time, you were gazed upon like the slowest gazelle in a wild pack rushing forward. However, on a positive note, I have never felt as accomplished as I did when I successfully completed my order from Steve.

The sandwich itself, promptly delivered to my companion and me, was actually very good. The capastrami ($7.25) fell squarely within

the price range of subs that varied from $5 to $7 for a small, $8 to $11 for a medium and $12 to $16 for a large. The sub was decked in coleslaw and was heavy on sauce. It’s part of a rare breed of food that is as amazing sober as I imagine it would be drunk (and luckily, Capriotti’s is open until midnight on Saturdays). But, I definitely wouldn’t suggest that someone dine here if he was looking for healthy options.

I don’t believe the word “salad” can legally be used to describe the vegetable-laden dishes that “Caps” serves. These “healthier” options sport names like black and bleu and chopped Italian, boasting salami, pepper ham, roast beef and even Capicola pork among a smattering of lettuce. So, if you are bringing a light eater with you to Capriotti’s, its “salads” may not be the most suitable. In fact, you may need to keep him at least 10 to 12 feet away from the establishment, lest a deep breath of sizzling pastrami inadvertently clog his arteries.

But, despite the ribbing I have been giving Capriotti’s, the sandwiches are very good. In fact, I would go as far as to say that the reason (and perhaps the only reason) Capriotti’s has been so successful thus far is because they make a very mean and very filling sandwich. If you’re looking for a good experience or another Wisey’s to add to your college experience, Capriotti’s is not the place. However, if you’re just looking for a solid sub that will fill you up (for one to four meals), I think Steve behind the counter would be more than happy to help you out.

Caramel-Filled Brownies

thepioneerwoman.com What pairs better with warm and savory soup than chewy caramel brownies? This ultimate comfort dessert is the perfect pick-me-up, and they are easy to make, too!

INGREDIENTS

1 box chocolate cake mix 1/3 cup evaporated milk 1/2 cup evaporated milk (additional) 1/2 cup melted butter 60 whole caramels, unwrapped 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/4 cup powdered sugar Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together cake mix, 1/3 cup evaporated milk and melted butter in a mixing bowl. Stir it until it is smooth; it will be thick.

Press half of the mixture into a well-greased 9 x 9 inch square baking pan.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove pan from oven and set aside.

Melt caramels with additional 1/2 cup evaporated milk on a stovetop. When melted and combined, pour over brownie base.

Sprinkle chocolate chips on top.

Pour the rest of the brownie mix on top.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Allow to cool, and refrigerate for several hours. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.

Chateau bois redon bordeaux superieur

totalwine.com Wines that go well with the thick decadence of comfort foods require a soft taste that does not ask too much of the taster. This inexpensive red wine bottle, priced at $10.99, provides a smooth yet light finish. It is the perfect companion for a bowl of soup on a wintry night, and it pairs equally well with the dominant, rich taste of chocolate dessert.

B6

the guide

THE HOYA

Friday, january 23, 2015

movie review

Gradually gETTING THERE

The Boy Next Door Starring: Jennifer Lopez Directed by: Rob Cohen Emily Troisi

Hoya Staff Writer

As far as psychological thrillers go, “The Boy Next Door” does not offer any novel interpretations to the story of a love affair gone wrong. Instead, it reads like a watered down “Fatal Attraction” and certainly follows the predictable formula of love-turned-obsessive films of its kind. All this aside, its attractive cast and their surprisingly intense acting, which includes Jennifer Lopez and Ryan Guzman’s passionate flirtation, will undoubtedly succeed in drawing big crowds.

The film opens with a high school classics teacher, Claire Peterson (Jennifer Lopez), who is still adjusting to her separation from her adulterous husband, Garrett (John Corbett).

With Garrett gone, Claire’s life is missing that dream-like, brawny beau — that is, until Noah

UNIVERSAL PICTURES

Jennifer Lopez and Ryan Guzman play Claire and Noah in “The Boy Next Door.”

Beginning Again Y

 

Sandborn (Ryan Guzman) enters the picture.

Noah moves in next door to Claire and her son, Kevin (Ian Nelson), to take care of his ailing uncle and it doesn’t take long for him to win the trust of Kevin and the lustful eyes of Claire.

Noah seems to have it all. He’s strong (he saves Claire from being overpowered by a garage door), he’s handy (he fixes cars, of course), he’s smart (he shares Claire’s love of literature and the classics) and he’s loyal (he immediately bonds with and becomes protective of Kevin). Noticing each of these attributes, as well as Noah’s coquetry, Claire gives into his advances and they consummate the relationship. However, this onenight stand proves to be a long-term nightmare for Claire.

Cue the transformation of the forward lover into the obsessive stalker. Yet, one of the redemptive aspects of the film is Guzman’s portrayal of this rather formulaic character. His intense, unnerving performance periodically shocks the audience and yet, he still manages to look good the entire time. Guzman commits to being the demented, emotionally and physically abusive pursuer to the point where the audience momentarily questions whether the movie will actually end as most psychological thrillers do with the demise of the villain.

Unfortunately for Lopez, the power of Guzman’s performance overshadows hers at times. That being said, Lopez still plays the morally torn (and then perpetually terrified) object of affection quite well. This is Lopez’s first movie role since her 2013 acting job in “Parker” with Jason Statham and it is certainly a far cry from her “Maid in Manhattan” days.

The movie will potentially receive a lot of flak for Claire Peterson’s complicated relationship with a seemingly underaged boy.

Even the title “The Boy Next Door” alludes to this fact and thus, the corrupt and promiscuous nature of Claire. In reality, Noah turns

UNIVERSAL PICTURES

out to be 20 years old and therefore, not a minor, at least in the eyes of the law. But to complicate the situation further is the fact that Claire becomes Noah’s teacher after their one-night liaison; this is sure to spark some controversy based on the illegality and general condemnation of student-teacher relationships.

While some critics will be concerned by the glazing over of Claire’s transgression and the predictable casting of two good-looking celebrities for the lead characters, this Hollywood movie does have its redeeming moments of plot depth and character development.

Directed by Rob Cohen (“Fast and the Furious,” “Stealth”), the film certainly features its share of graphic and violent scenes. Just when you think certain characters have had enough, there is always more punch to be packed. The final scene, in particular, is a fitting climax to the overall tension built throughout the movie, and Barbara Curry shows herself to be a rather pretty creative and twisted writer.

This movie is worth seeing primarily for its twists of eroticism and obsession. That being said, just as the magnitude of certain scenes is one of the movie’s biggest attractions, it is also one of its biggest drawbacks.

These scenes are so graphic and mesmerizing that subsequent scenes and more subtle plot points simply to pale in comparison.

In general, “The Boy Next Door” hits many of the marks of traditional psychological thrillers. The main characters honor their crazy and tragic origins, allegiances are formed and broken, signs of affection lead to jarring realizations, and the simple request for help to prevent this chaos is virtually nonexistent.

Add in the occasional witty and sexual oneliners and you’ve got a movie that may not be the first of its kind nor the best, but it is one that will certainly attract moviegoers.

movie review

Leviathan

 Starring: Aleksey Serebryakov Directed by: Andrey Zvyagintsev michael fiedorowicz Hoya Staff Writer

“Leviathan” is a vast, scathing exploration of the troubles facing contemporary Russia, portrayed through the story of a classic and simple tragic love triangle. Director Andrey Zvyagintsev creates a masterpiece precisely because he is able to accomplish a macro-criticism of Russian politics while simultaneously painting an entrancing familial tragedy.

While the film was released in the United States on the final day of 2014, it received very little media attention. This arises from a combination of its dense content as well as its use of Russian language.

There is very little room for relief during “Leviathan.” The audience is constantly bombarded by the film’s despair. Its basic storyline revolves around the family of Kolya (Aleksey Serebryakov) and Lilya (Elena Lyadova) along with their son, Roma (Sergey Pokhodaev). A corrupt mayor, Vadim (Roman Madyanov), attempts to force them to sell the beautiful piece of land in northern Russia on which they live. Kolya brings in his old friend Dmitri (Vladimir Vdovichenkov), now a lawyer, to help fight Vadim’s claim. The rest of the film develops around this central conflict.

The film’s title alone sets a very clear and consistent theme with Leviathan’s nod to the classic Hobbesian work of political philosophy. Vadim is the film’s Putin-like placeholder for the gluttonous, unceasing appetites of big government. In the same way he seeks to take the land from Kolya’s family, Vadim is almost always eating or drinking in his scenes — he is constantly consuming.

However, the title is also a reminder to

keep the Old Testament, and specifically Job, in mind when watching the film. The Leviathan is a beast discussed in Job 41, and this reference only strengthens the notion that Vadim, and the Russian government he represents, is dangerous and difficult to stop. However, the allusion to Job takes this idea a step further because the film also has a significant amount of religious commentary. There are several points at which a priest reassures Vadim of the rightness of his actions. Zvyagintsev seems to be making it a point that the Russian government has not simply become so abhorrent on its own, but it is mutually beneficial partners with the Orthodox Church.

The film also shows the Russian people in a constant state of drunkenness. There are very few scenes in which vodka is not involved. The implication is that nobody is happy in this system, including the political leaders such as Vadim — every individual is looking for an escape from this overbearing system. The concern may be that this system has become too big (like a Leviathan) and too ingrained in Russian culture for there to still be a chance to escape it.

Aside from a few very brief moments of humor, the film is a nonstop barrage of cold realizations that leave viewers feeling empty and powerless. It is impressive just how consistent everything in the film is to this message and this feeling. Because the protagonists’ home is in northern Russia near the water, the film is interspersed with shots of the rough seas. As intimidating as the overbearing Russian government are the shots of the Barents Sea as waves crash mightily into the cliffs: beautiful, but very obviously deadly.

The acting in “Leviathan” is only another

SONY PICTURES CLASSICS

impressive attribute. As the Russian stereotype often suggests, the characters in “Leviathan” often show little emotion and, if they do, that emotion tends to be anger.

However, it is this stoic nature that makes it so much more difficult to make the intense, important scenes truly genuine. But this cast is able to execute that task with seeming ease. In particular, Madyanov impresses with his fantastic portrayal of the corrupt mayor. Despite their difference in appearance, it is appropriately difficult to forget Putin when watching Madyanov’s performance.

Few films are as difficult to watch as “Leviathan,” but few are also so worthwhile.

Whether or not Russian politics are of any particular interest to the viewer, this film has a lot more to say than simply that Putin’s policies are bad. It also explores the reactions of families to external circumstances that put pressure on their relationships. It is this examination, though, that makes it so grim — the little guy never wins in this film. Had the film done nothing but put forth an analysis of Russian politics, it would be easy to disconnect from the content, but this is a film that will draw just about anybody in and take him to a dark place without the viewer even realizing how quickly he got there.

Zvyagintsev does a phenomenal job in bringing his own powerful Leviathan-like vision to screen — it is massive, imposing, and too big to avoid.

ou remember your put themselves through first day of college. this misery. There are the The anxiety paired obvious advantages with with the excitement. You regard to future careers, could be anybody. Do any- delving deeper into a subthing. Which is truly lib- ject you love, and the loveerating, yet also extremely ly postponing of entering intimidating. Now imag- the “real world,” but these ine that same feeling, but are not the biggest advanthis time you are supposed tages of choosing to go to to have it all figured out. graduate school. The true That is graduate school. reward of graduate school Starting graduate is the experience itself. school is, for all intents Now don’t get me and purposes, the same as wrong, I am hoping to freshman year of college, capitalize on having a but this time, there is no graduate degree. But I am extensive orientation to ac- already capitalizing on the climate you to the school; experience. I have grown no easily accessed housing more in my first semester or dining hall; and certain- of graduate school than ly no helpful RA or adviser in any previous year of my to give you sage advice re- life. Change is often diffigarding professors or class- cult. Growth, too, is usuales. And the most stressful ly painful. Yet this type of part about the entire ex- pain is far better than the perience is that everybody agony of stagnation. around you seems to have Through braving this it all together. But let me adventure far from my let you in on a secret: No- comfort zone, I evolved in body has it all together. ways I never expected. I As I struggled to get learned to remain true to used to graduate school, myself, even though the Georgetown and D.C. in things I find important general, I found myself of- may be viewed with disten irrationally emotional dain by others. I began to and desperate to simply truly value the importance throw in the towel. Be- of being fearlessly authentween bouts of uncertainty tic with the people around and distress, me. I re-disI seriously covered the contemplatimportance ed withdrawof prioritizaing or taking tion, in both a leave of abscheduling sence from and in the school. general hiThis emo- Rebecca Childress erarchy of tional turwhat I hold moil and distaste for aca- to be most important. I demics was far from the learned to find beauty in norm for me. I generally the process. Most imporoperate on quite a cheerful tantly, I realized that it is level, and greatly enjoyed okay to not have it all figboth the academic and ured out. social aspects of my unThis semester has started dergraduate experience. off on a much better foot.

Moreover, from the out- I feel like I am back to my side, it seemed that I was old cheerful and engaging doing quite well. I was suc- self, the girl who is quick ceeding academically, had to laugh and excited to made many friends and learn. Some people might was exploring interesting think that this change of parts of D.C. practically ev- course is a simple case of ery weekend. “settling in.” I, however, Therefore, the dissatis- think it is more of a case of faction and unhappiness I acceptance. Not a grudgwas feeling felt completely ing acceptance of graduate misplaced.

I felt cer- school — I could have eastain that something was ily withdrawn–but rather, wrong. Therefore, I felt an acceptance of myself. certain that something I read once that “nothwas wrong. I was in the ing will ruin your 20s wrong program, or in the more than thinking you wrong school, or perhaps should already have your I merely wasn’t cut out for life together.” Nothing postgraduate work. But could be more true. Well the entire time I was mak- perhaps, thinking everying the grave assumption body else has her or his that I was the only one life together could prove feeling this way. All of my equally problematic. Your classmates seemed to have 20s is a time to be selfadjusted easily and were ish, make mistakes, take enjoying their time here chances and mature in un— but I slowly realized foreseen ways. that this was far from the I am not saying that truth. graduate school is the I started discussing my only way to undergo this thoughts with other peo- growth, or even the best ple in my graduating class, way. I imagine starting a and found that many of job in a faraway city would them had also been feel- be equally jolting. Regarding anxious, lonely and less, your circumstances confused. I later talked are unlikely to always be with some of my cousins filled with sunshine and who were, or are, Master’s blue skies. But in those students at other institu- moments when it seems tions and discovered that easier to just give up, know they too wrestled with that these are the times the beast that is graduate that mold us. Breathe school. I eventually dis- deeply and whisper to cussed the situation with yourself the words of C.S. a young woman further Lewis: “Courage, dear along in my program than heart.” Besides, it always I, and was assured, yet gets better. again, that confusion, depression and anxiety are Rebecca Childress is a the natural companions of master’s candidate in the graduate studies.

Graduate School of Arts This, of course, leads and Sciences. gradually to the question of why so GETTING THERE appears many students choose to every other Friday.

BEST BETS improv Show

The Georgetown Improv Association will once again host one of its hilarious shows this weekend. This is not only a great opportunity for some laughs with your friends, but it is also a chance to go out and support your fellow Hoyas’ passion for comedy.

WHERE: Bulldog Alley, Leavey Center When: Saturday 9 p.m.

INFO: facebook.com Price: $4 student; $6 general

ON CAMPUS

Politics, Comedy and the Dangers of Satire

Campus Ministry Chaplains’ Tea

I am an Entrepreneur!

The Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics will host this discussion forum in partnership with the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs, Bridges of Understanding, and the Office of the President. This is a well-timed response to the recent tragedy in Paris.

Georgetown has long been outspoken in its support of interreligious dialogue and events such as this meeting for tea are one of the many opportunities students have to take part in that dialogue. As is in the Jesuit tradition of conversation and reflection, there will be Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Protestant and Catholic chaplains available to talk with anyone who wishes.

WHERE: Davis Performing Arts Center When: Today at 4 p.m. info: guevents.georgetown.edu price: Free

WHERE: Foyer of Healy Hall WHEN: Tuesday at 3 p.m.

INFO: guevents.georgetown.edu Price: Free

WHERE: White-Gravenor Hall 201B WHEN: Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

INFO: guevents.georgetown.edu PRICE: Free

Jeff Reid, the director of Georgetown Entrepreneurship, will be discussing entrepreneurship on campus and in general this week. All aspiring entrepreneurs and interested parties are recommended to attend, as Reid will be talking about available financing and resource options. This is a great opportunity to extract practical information from an expert in the field.

the guide

friday, JANUARY 23, 2015

album Review

Title

Meghan Trainor Gianna pisano Hoya Staff Writer

Something about bubblegum pop just feels — empty. Meaningless lyrics, profane themes and overused synthesizer sounds are just a few of the classic pop elements found in Meghan Trainor’s debut studio album, “Title.”

Sure, we have all heard the feel-good hit “All About That Bass” and her latest single “Lips are Movin’” but unfortunately, the album has little to brag about aside from more formulaic catchy songs about boys and

 heartbreak. Seriously, more?

Her Nicki Minaj-esque voice goes from rapping to singing and back to rapping, leaving the listener unsure whether Trainor has talent, or has an excellent producer that can feign it.

Honestly, how many songs can she write about partying, being “too tipsy” and making a regretful mistake until she has exhausted the topic? From “3am” to “Walkashame” to “Bang Dem Sticks,” it is clear that partying is an incessant part of Trainor’s lifestyle. While this is fine and quite typical of a college

MUSIC TIMES

Meghan Trainor makes her bombshell album debut with “Title,” with several pop hits and fierce lyrics that are sure to blow up the pop scene.

My Garden

Hoya Staff Writer

Kat Dahlia’s first studio album “My Garden” is a breathtaking mix of colorful and bitter experiences, a sense of almost otherworldly mysticism hardened against the reality of her lyrics.

With the amount of creative talent and thematic depth jampacked into these tracks, this definitely does not feel like the hesitant, safe play of a debut album. The melodic music and

New Releases



EPIC RECORDS

positive feminist undertones when Trainor writes, “You got that 9 to 5/But, baby, so do I/So don’t be thinking I’ll be home and making apple pies.” It is clear that Trainor has staunch opinions, most of which are positive for the intended audience of teenagers. In “All About That Bass,” Trainor writes, “It is pretty clear/I ain’t no size two.”

“Title” was released on Jan. 9 and is already at number one in Australia. It is well on its way to the top of the charts in the United States. It seems this is because while these catchy pop songs are mindless, they are also somewhat enjoyable. However, the whining of autotune is cringeworthy, and Trainor practically strains her voice to reach any high notes.

After one listen to the album, only a few songs were memorable. And with a few more listens, all songs sound the same.

This element of radio pop is what makes it so forgettable, and while this album may do wonders for Meghan Trainor‘s pop-music career, it is unlikely that her true talent will shine.

Save “Title” for extreme boredom only — or perhaps a highschool prom.

  

EPIC RECORDS

Haunting music and striking lyrics proliferate throughout “My Garden,” the debut album of singer-songwriter Kat Dahlia.

‘Up’ Olly Murs ft. Demi Lovato  Olly Murs’ new album does not come out until March 10, but this catchy new single is sure to be a radio hit — it gives a positive message to always look up and believe, especially when it comes to love. However, Demi Lovato’s voice does not add anything to the track, and Olly sounds more whiny than radio-ready. Nowadays, the radio doesn’t need any more talk of heartbreak.

‘L.A. LOVE (La La)’ Fergie  Just when we all thought Fergie was out of the spotlight, she releases this raunchy track and, honestly, muddles what we know as her signature musical style. Her fast words leave your head spinning, and there seems to be no real structure. This is not a song that would stay in your head. Instead, the chorus is an annoying listing of countries and, half of the time, what she is saying is hardly audible.

‘Every Breaking Wave’ u2 

Album Review

Dahlia’s own voice, an edgy blend of Alanis Morissette and Stevie Nicks, have a powerful strength that feels rooted in the expansive culture of today.

Kat Dahlia is a Cuban-American, and she is not quick to forget the impact that her background as had on her artistic work. This album represents an intermix of identities: a softer form of rap that is double the volume, with its two-fisted lyrics tempered by a sort of dreamy confusion. It is incredibly visual

B7

MUSIC

student, this is not music that would be indulged in outside of a loud Friday or Saturday night.

Some songs try to provide a saving grace of emotion, such as “My Selfish Heart,” but back-up vocals drown out Meghan Trainor’s own voice, and the constant sound of snapping fingers is more annoying than catchy.

“What If I” has a cabaret feel, but it has an over-eager soul sound as she sings: “I want to kiss you tomorrow.” Her naivete is practically written between the lines, and it is overbearing how 21st-century pop has turned all remotely good music to annoying junk singing of “swagger” and boys who are “whack.” She even sings, “We look better on paper/I am way too young for this” at the ripe age of 21 in “Mr. Almost.”

Of course, guest artists appear in the bridges of songs, from John Legend to Shy Carter, spewing out words about girls looking fine, which is certainly more “middle school dance” than “intellectual use of time.”

Body image, women’s rights and other ideals are admirable in Meghan Trainor’s songwriting, but these hardly fare when paired with computerized pop sounds and otherwise empty lyrics. “Dear Future Husband” is overwhelmingly honest and frank for a 21-year-old, who sings of having a “one and only” and demands nice dates and flowers on every anniversary. However, there are some

Kat Dahlia Madison Stingray

THE HOYA

music, full of jagged lines and sharp edges, and yet the songs flow seamlessly into each other from beginning to end.

The album starts off with its namesake, “My Garden,” a knockout song that feels haunting and almost dystopian. While it is sung with aggression, the lyrics are beautiful and expressive, and it is the kind of haunting melody that can be played on repeat without getting old during long study sessions or bus rides. Each new listen brings a new sense of meaning or emotin to the listerner. There are a lot of musical layers within it, but the overall effect is a clean piece that delivers instant gratification with Dahlia’s idiosyncratic voice.

“Saturday Sunday” introduces a new sound that really cannot be described as anything other than a power ballad. Disguised by seemingly mysterious tones, the song, which references Dahlia’s southern-Floridian roots, is simply about partying all night and having to get up for church the next day. There is something playfully defiant about the message of this track that makes it easy to listen to, and every Hoya could benefit from taking heed of her words and putting leisure before work every once in a while.

It’s all fun and games up until “I Think I’m In Love,” a refreshing love song that evokes all the senses and gives full emotional admission in Dahlia’s grainy, spirited way. An addictive track that is reflective of one of her relationships, establishes the album as one that is more than some party album that’ll fade away. Intense and sincere, there are very few people -— especially college students — who won’t be able to connect with every bold

BILLBOARD

word.

There’s very little question, however, that “Lava” is one of the most beautiful songs on the album and possibly beyond the limits of her genre. It’s a melancholy and lyrical track that has surprisingly vivid and provocative imagery like “you show me how to drink you up like gin.”

It’s much darker and heavier than any of the other tracks, as it mourns a relationship that is going to end. Despite the subject, it maintains a strange brightness that saves it from falling too out of line with the rest of the album.

While the last song is as good as the rest, it’s the second-to-last song that really makes its mark.

“Clocks” is a hardcore punk song with a strange hallucinationlike enchantment. It’s almost a backward Cinderella story, with a frantic beat and folkloric, drum-like mantra, clueing in to how the world comes alive after midnight. It evokes memories of climbing the John Carroll statue at night or staying at Tombs until closing, and it makes the reality of those experiences seem grander and significant. Where was this song when finals week rolled around?

It is true that, like a garden can be, this album itself is a piece of modern art. Each different piece can lend itself to a different aspect of life and fill a different space, but, collectively, it all falls together in an explosion of color and life.

With its relaxing piano track and impressive lyrics, this track has the potential to become a hit. In comparison to U2’s past hits, it is a bit different, but a worthwhile listen nonetheless. Bono never fails to impress with his musical talent, as demonstrated in U2’s new album, “Songs of Innocence,” which contains a variety of songs such as this one.

‘Baby Don’t Lie’ Gwen Stefani  Unfortunately, the presence of autotune cannot hide the fact that Gwen Stefani is back with nothing to show for it. This bland track is forgettable and cannot compete with Stefani’s catchy hits from earlier in the decade. Perhaps she is trying too hard, but nothing about this track stuck or made listeners want to press replay.

‘Rabbit Hole’ Jamie T  British songwriter Jamie T released his third album in the fall with alternative beats that are catchy and unique.

This track spotlights his voice and impressive talent, backing up his nickname as the “oneman Arctic Monkey.” While it may or may not be the next pop-radio hit, this song has potential to be a standout part of Jamie T’s successful album.

AROUND TOWN Washington, D.C. Restaurant Week

Washington Auto Show

The Widow Lincoln

Sugarloaf Crafts Festival

Where: Throughout Washington When: Through Jan. 25 Info: ramw.org/restaurantweek Price: Varies

Where: Washington Convention Center When: Through Feb. 1 Info: washingtonautoshow.com Price: $12

Where: Ford’s Theatre When: Through Feb. 22 Info: ticketmaster.com Price: Varies

Where: Dulles Expo Center When: Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 Info: sugarloafcrafts.com Price: $8

Through a series of photographs, this literary and visual display denounces terrorism as a mass violation of human rights while paying tribute to its victims in an effort to promote global collaboration toward a better world.

The Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association will again host a show with more than 700 vehicles on display.

There will be special guests and contests such as car giveaways. This is a fantastic event for all car enthusiasts, from the most basic fan to the greatest gearheads.

From January to May, the District will commemorate the 150th anniversary of President Lincoln’s assassination. “The Widow Lincoln,” which focuses on his wife Mary’s mourning, will play Ford’s Theatre. The overall event, “Ford’s 150,” pays tribute to an important and controversial time in history.

The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival is headed to Washington, D.C. It will display the work of artists from both the United States and Canada. The shows allow their creators to sell their pieces directly to the public. Artists compete for festival spots. This festival is ranked as one of the most visited and profitable events for artists and craftspeople in the country.

B8

Sports

THE HOYA

Friday, jANUary 23, 2015

Women’s basketball

Men’s basketball

Confident Hoyas Head To Wisconsin marquette, from B10

FILE PHOTO: CLAIRE SOISSON/THE HOYA

However, if the Hoyas — who now find themselves tied for first place with DePaul (11-9, 5-2 Big East) in the Big East — wish to contend for a conference title, they will need to win games on the road. That has proven difficult this year not only for Georgetown, which is 1-2 on the road, but also for the Big East as a whole, where the home team has won over 70 percent of conference games played this season. If the Hoyas were to win on Saturday, it would be their first true road win against a team other than DePaul in over a year. If they fail to do so, it will not be due to a lack of confidence.

“I feel like we’re the best team in the country,” freshman forward L.J. Peak said when asked if he believes the Hoyas are the team to beat in the Big East.

“If we come in and play like we’re supposed to play, we can beat anybody.”

That sentiment will be put to the test Saturday.

Marquette may reside toward the bottom of the Big East standings, but the Golden Eagles have yet to lose a conference game by more than six points.

Throw in the Hoyas’ recent struggles in Milwaukee, and Saturday’s game seems likely to come down to the wire. Tipoff is at 2:30 p.m. and will be broadcasted on Fox Sports 1.

Freshman guard Dorothy Adomako has started all 19 games this season. She is averaging 12.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 26.7 minutes per game. Georgetown has lost three straight and 14 of its last 16 games, a skid stretching back to November.

Red Storm Defense Looms on Horizon Aidan Curran Hoya Staff Writer

After a tough three-game road trip that resulted in three losses to conference opponents Villanova (11-8, 5-2 Big East), Butler (10-9, 6-2 Big East) and Xavier (12-7, 4-4 Big East), the Georgetown women’s basketball team (4-15, 2-5 Big East) is ready to rebound this weekend against St. John’s (144, 5-2 Big East) and Seton Hall (17-2, 6-1 Big East).The team is ready to get back in the win column this weekend, and, for the team, there’s no better place to do it than on its home court.

“We’re actually very excited to move forward and get to our next game,” junior forward Brittany Horne said. “We’ve had a lot of energy in practice and lot of energy when it comes to approaching our next opponent, so we’re just ready.”

The young Georgetown squad had trouble hanging onto leads during its road trip; this troubling trend was highlighted by Butler’s 20-4 run to take back the lead for good in the first half of the Hoyas’

most recent game. Georgetown has a tendency to start fast and get complacent, but as its players develop and gain more experience, they may become better at handling leads.

“Consistency plays a big role for our team,” Horne said.

“We’re focusing a lot more in practice on being consistent and bringing it every single day; it’s going to come through for us.”

Georgetown will have to be consistent against a St. John’s team that is currently in fourth place in the Big East.

The Red Storm have not lost on the road this season, earning a 5-0 record away from their home court.

St. John’s offense is led by junior guards Aliyyah Handford and Danaejah Grant.

Handford leads her team and the Big East with 20.3 points per game, while Grant scores the second-most points for the Red Storm with at 17.8 points per game. Following Handford and Grant is sophomore forward Jade Walker, who scores 8.9 points per game.

On the other end of the court, St. John’s has a very

stingy defense, leading the Big East in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense and three-point field goal percentage defense. Moreover, the Red Storm boasts senior forward Amber Thompson, who leads the Big East in rebounding, averaging 11.8 boards per game.

Faced with St. John’s stellar defense, Georgetown and its three-point shooters will have to work hard to get open looks on offense. Horne says that Georgetown will need to come out strong against a squad that shuts down many shooting opportunities.

“We’re going to be aggressive [driving] to the basket,” Horne said. “We’re going to look less for settling for jump shots and try to get to the basket more and finish around the rim.”

With an added emphasis on getting to the rim on offense, freshman Dorothy Adomako, who was named Big East Rookie of the Week for the third week in a row, will be called upon to continue to be the scoring threat she has recently been for her team. Adomako is the team’s leading scorer

at 12.9 points per game, and with her unique blend of size and athleticism, she provides a mismatch for Georgetown’s opponents which allows her to attack her defender and get to the rim easily.

Adomako is developing into one of the top players in the conference, but she believes she still has a lot of ground to cover.

“I’m very humbled by this award, very happy about it, but I need to continue growing as a player,” Adomako said.

Georgetown is looking to improve on a disappointing 4-15 overall record in the remaining 11 games on its schedule.

With a Big East regular-season title now out of the question, the team primarily looks to build for next year. The rest of the season will be a good opportunity for younger players to gain more experience in conference games. “[We] want to finish out the season strong,” Adomako said.

“We’ve got St. John’s and Seton Hall this weekend and those are two top teams, so we really have to go out there and play hard and come out with the win at home.”

SUDOKU

the Water Cooler

3 6

9

6

3 9 8 4 7 9 7 5 8

4

1

1 5 7 4

6 7

2 6 3

9 5

2 7

Last issue’s solutions

2 5 6 7

JULIA HENNRIKUS/THE HOYA

Senior guard Jabril Trawick (top) and freshman forward L.J. Peak are pictured playing against Villanova.

3 9 8 7 1 4 9 1

6 5 4 7 1 1 3 2 6 9 7 9 8 2 5 3 4 6 5 8 5 2 1 4 7 9 8 7 3 6 8 7 5 1 3

8 4 3 2 9 1

8 6 4 2

3 5

9 4 1 5 3 7

6 2 8 2 6 3 9 4 7 6 4 1 9 8 2 5

NCAA Rules Improve Fairness F

or much of 2014, the NCAA did a phenomenal job of getting lambasted in the media. College basketball players went hungry because of to meal plan limitations, football players were controversially suspended and the lack of player compensation captured the nation’s attention.

However, it appears positive changes have finally begun to emerge. Last Saturday, the 65 member schools that form the Power 5 conferences, which are the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big Ten, the Big 12, the Southeastern Conference and the Pac-12, voted for sweeping changes about the treatment and status of student-athletes.

One of the most interesting changes prohibits coaches from terminating athletes’ scholarships purely for athletic reasons. Ultimately, the benefits of these measures outweigh the costs, but there are legitimate reasons to be wary of potential consequences.

The newly passed measure that prohibits athletic scholarships from being revoked for purely athletic reasons is interesting for several reasons, but first among those reasons is that many players on the 15-player committee spoke in fervent opposition to the idea. Some players felt that it could harm team chemistry and cause insubordination toward coaches.

In theory, this line of thinking has some merit. Permanently guaranteeing scholarships could create a moral hazard because the athlete is guaranteed his or her college education and the newly passed cost-of-attendance stipends regardless of the athlete’s on-field performance. In offering scholarships, schools take a risk on a player because they believe that the player will contribute to the success of the team. But with guaranteed scholarships there is no consequence for the athlete to bear.

While such a view is plausible and should be guarded against, especially for athletes that have no intention of advancing to professional leagues, the world of college sports is not that

black and white, and it is probably for the best that an individual’s academic fate will no longer be tied to his or her on the field performance.

Debbie Yow, the athletic director for North Carolina State, summed up the idea well when she noted that mistakes on the part of coaching were not sufficient reasons to revoke scholarships. As much as fans or analysts try to find one particular person to blame for its losses, it is rarely that simple and there are often myriad factors that contribute to personal and team failure or success.

Guaranteeing scholarships could

Michael Ippolito

Guaranteed scholarships may help athletes, but hurt recruiting. actually boost athletic performance because it removes a barrier to focus and concentration. If athletes do not have to live in fear for their scholarship renewal, they can spend more time focusing on both their sport and their studies. Additionally, their focus on academics and character, like refraining from any off-the-field legal issues or other school violations, could also increase because those are now the two main threats to eligibility.

The only people who are negatively affected by this initiative are prospective walk-on students. There are many high school athletes who are talented enough to make college teams but they are not offered scholarships because the NCAA limits the number of scholarships a school can offer per sport.

With scholarships guaranteed, it is likely that the number of walk-ons earning scholarships in the future will decrease, which is a shame for kids who spend years working their way up on the depth chart and are held to the exact same standards as scholarship athletes. Even if coaches still maintain this practice, something has to give because they cannot take the scholarship away from another player who proves to be less effective or talented than the walk-on.

A final thing to observe will be the effect on coaching and recruiting. The newly passed legislation gives coaches even less room for error because now their recruiting mistakes cannot be undone and once the team and university have agreed to commit resources to a player, those cannot be taken away. While it seems unlikely these changes will have an immediate impact, there could be additional pressure over time if prized recruits do not live up to their expectations on the field, especially because non-football teams have limited scholarships. For soccer, where only 10 scholarships per school were permitted during the 2013-2014 season, the new rules could have a major impact because misfiring on a recruit or two could create longterm problems because those scholarships could not be allocated more effectively.

By no stretch of the imagination does this make the NCAA an ideal organization and there are still issues, like concussion and head safety in college football, that need to be improved. However, this particular initiative that came out of Saturday was long overdue and ultimately a step in the right direction.

Michael Ippolito is a sophomore in the College. the water cooler appears every Friday.

sports

FRIDAY, january 23, 2015

THE HOYA

B9

swimming & diving

saxa synergy

Wilson, Brady to GU Shines in Final Home Meet Decide Legacy Santamaria, from B10 but back-to-back championships would elevate Wilson into a tier of players reserved only for the greats. He would cement himself among modern greats like Brady, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning while simultaneously elevating the Seahawks to a level very few teams have known.

The Patriots, however, are dominant year in and year out.

This territory is very familiar to Head Coach Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, a duo that has ruled the playoffs for nearly 15 years.

With three rings, five Super Bowl appearances, the greatest regular-season record ever (16-0) and a collection of AFC Championship Game appearances, Tom Brady is already one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.

From his humble beginnings as a tall, un-athletic quarterback drafted in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, Brady got his number called very early on in his career when he replaced Drew Bledsoe as the Patriots’ starting quarterback early in his second season — the same season in which New England won its first Super Bowl.

Since that 2001 Super Bowl victory, the Patriots have barely looked back with Brady at the

helm.

But what would another Super Bowl ring do for his legacy?

Simply put, if Brady can lead the Pats to their first title in 10 years and their fourth over the last 15, he will be the greatest quarterback of all-time.

Sure, there are many other names, including Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, John Elway and Dan Marino that come to mind in the “greatest ever” conversation, but to do what Brady has done for as long as he has done it is an achievement in and of itself. Top that off with a Super Bowl win against a team that is looking to become the next dynasty and Brady becomes untouchable.

The winner of Super Bowl XLIX will feature either the next big thing or a titan aiming to reach football’s pinnacle one last time; the beginning of a legacy or the crown jewel on already storied one. The stakes are high, the stage is set and on Feb. 1, either Russell Wilson will enter the pantheon of great quarterbacks or Tom Brady will cement his place as one of the greatest football players to step on the field.

Paolo Santamaria is a freshman in the College. SAXA SYNERGY appears every Friday.

viewpoint

Storming Lifted Cynical Fans

CLAIRE SOISSON/THE HOYA

Junior Austin Wolf (top), freshman Shana McLaughlin (bottom left) and sophomore Katie Duncalf, center, all swam for the Blue and Gray at McCarthy Pool last Friday and Saturday against American, George Washington and Davidson.

Elizabeth Cavacos Hoya Staff Writer

The Georgetown swimming and diving team competed in its first competition in over a month last weekend when it hosted American on Friday and Davidson and George Washington on Saturday. Although Georgetown’s meet schedule was light on meets over winter break, it entered the weekend’s events fresh off of a month of rigorous training, which helped the team secure several record-breaking finishes.

Both teams found success against American on Friday, with the men’s team winning 138-94 and the women’s team winning 139-87. The women’s 400-yard medley relay team, which included freshmen Molly Fitzpatrick and Bailey Page, sophomore Katie Duncalf and junior Erica Fabbri, secured a McCarthy Pool record time of 3:56.89. Duncalf went on to set another pool record in the 200 backstroke, finishing first in 2:05.40.

On Saturday, the women’s team defeated both George Washington (193-106) and Davidson (169-130), and the men’s team defeated George Washington (153-134) but lost to Davidson (174.5-118.5). Senior Lauren Kahan broke both McCarthy Pool and Georgetown records with a score of 285.05 in the women’s 1-meter dive. On the men’s side, sophomore Jared CooperVespa set a new school record in the 1m diving competition with a score of 341.4, and set both pool and school

records in the 3m competition with a score of 303.4.

Head Coach Jamie Holder was pleased to see such as strong performance despite the recent break from competition.

“It was good to get back to racing, and it was nice to swim in our pool,” Holder said. “A lot of the pool records are held by other teams, so that was one of the goals that we had this year — to get some pool records and make it more into our domain.”

Saturday was also senior day for Georgetown. For the seniors, who are members of the first class that Holder recruited as head coach, the experience was surreal — but it was a culmination of four years of hard work and dedication to a common goal.

“It’s been a privilege to be on this team and swim with these people for four years,” senior captain Jamie Gallagher said.

Though some of the strongest competitors on the team are drawing their careers to a close, Holder says that with the Big East championships approaching in February, there are several big opportunities left for the seniors to leave their mark.

“I think they still feel like they’ve got a lot of swimming left, and their biggest meets are still yet to come … it’s bittersweet,” Holder said.

On Dec. 6, the men’s and women’s teams both recorded sweeping victories over Howard, winning by scores of 162-39 and 136-72, respectively. With last weekend’s events against Ameri-

can and George Washington now in the books, Georgetown is enjoying its status as a top local competitor.

“We’re the top team in D.C. right now, so I think everyone’s on a high, and I think that we’re going to keep carrying that through for the next month,” senior Kim DiNapoli said.

This confidence will be crucial as Georgetown prepares for a heftier schedule in the weeks ahead. The next meet for the Blue and Gray is against Drexel on Friday, en route to facing Big East foe Providence at a meet at Rutgers on Feb. 7 and the looming conference championships in late February.

According to Gallagher, finding future success is all in the details.

“A lot of the really tough training and yardage we’ve done already, so we’re refining things and working on speed and all the small details that we sometimes forget about during the really hard training,” Gallagher said.

Holder echoes the importance of fine-tuning specifics before heading to the Big East championships.

“Because our team is so big and deep, one of the challenges is just figuring out who our scoring team is going to be [at the championships],” Holder said. “I think we have a pretty good handle on that, but we’re looking to see everybody performing well and just try to work on the little things that we can control.”

Georgetown will travel to Philadelphia, Pa., for Friday’s meet against Drexel.

women’s tennis

Hoyas Open New Year in Va. JULIA HENNRIKUS/THE HOYA

Students reacted to a 20-point victory over Big East rival No. 4 Villanova by storming the court after time expired. canfield, from B10 More importantly, Monday’s court storming represented an incredible statement by the Georgetown student body.

We. Are. Back.

For half of the current student body, this month’s brief flirtation with a No. 25 overall ranking was the only time in many students’ college careers that the Hoyas were ranked, and given our .500 start in Big East play, it was unclear whether we would reclaim a spot this season. For half of the current student body, this was the first time those students understood that Georgetown is a national powerhouse.

One of the critiques of the court storming was that our rich history of prominence on the national stage should place us above storming the court after beating a conference team. I would argue that fans stormed the court because of our rich history; we stormed to reclaim what we once had. We stormed because the team we bleed for had just delivered a savage haymaker to the jaw of the No. 4 team in the country and announced to all of college basketball that the Hoyas are back and they are not to be trifled with.

There were six hundred and sixty-eight days between Georgetown’s 2013 loss to

Florida Gulf Coast in the NCAA Tournament and Monday’s win over Villanova. Six hundred and sixty-eight days since Georgetown fans were able to witness the team they knew as a national powerhouse. Six hundred and sixtyeight days of waiting poured out onto the court Monday.

Perhaps Thompson was right in his postgame comments. We probably watch too much TV. We want the incredible experience of storming the court that we’ve seen on “Fox Sports Live” (if you still watch “SportsCenter” you’re betraying the Big East).

But more importantly than Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole talking about Georgetown during the highlights or debating whether the court storming was justified is that the atmosphere in Verizon Center on Monday was more electric than any game since the final Georgetown vs. Syracuse game in 2013, where, coincidentally, fans stormed the court. The fans on Monday brought a tangible energy that blew the roof off of the arena and seemed to rattle Villanova early and often. If a less-than-necessary court storming is the price to pay for that energy, so be it.

Jimmy Canfield is a senior in the College. He is the current president of Hoya Blue.

richmond, from B10 mess up; senior — hopefully it’s all been figured out,” Panarese said.

Georgetown’s freshmen are Nicole Koskovolis, Daphne de Chatellus and Casey Marx. The returning players include sophomores Sophia Barnard, Victoire Saperstein, Madeline Foley and Margaret Psyhogeos. The juniors are Liselot Koenen, Mimi Lynham and Taylor Perz, while Panarese is the lone senior.

“We have a very young team and that’s probably the most exciting part about it,” Panarese said. “The best thing about that is that they’re just so excited to play, and that gives new energy to all the upperclassmen as well so we’re pumped for this weekend.”

Panarese, Koenen, Saperstein and Barnard will lead the Hoyas this season. These four played in every match for the Hoyas last year, including singles and doubles play.

“They’ve already been through the battles, so they get it and know what’s coming,” Head Coach Gordie Ernst said. “They help the younger ones and tell them, ‘Hey, this is what we’re going to prepare for, and this is what we can expect against VCU, or St. Johns.’ That helps a lot.”

The 4-1 Invitational Match will test the experience of such players and determine how the Hoyas perform in a competitive setting. The match begins today with competitions against VCU and Norfolk State, while the match against Campbell will take place tomorrow.

“I like the fact that you throw them into the fire and see where we’re at,” Ernst said. “Getting them out there, getting them into some pressure situ-

FILE PHOTO: ALEXANDER BROWN/THE HOYA

Sophie Panarese is the lone senior playing for the women’s tennis team this year. Panarese finished the 2013-14 season with a 10-15 overall record. ations, especially when preparing for St. John’s on Feb. 6 — that’s what it’s all about. You have to play matches to get ready for those matches.”

“VCU will be our toughest competition,” Panarese added. “They’re very good, very strong players. They hit extremely hard, but we’ve been training very hard, and I think we’re more ready this year than we have been in the past.”

As a whole, the Hoyas hold a positive and unified mentality as they begin the season. The leadership is strong, and regardless of wins or losses, Panarese knows that Georgetown’s squad’s work ethic is unbeat-

able.

“I can’t guarantee that we’re going to win every single match, because that’s impossible, but what I can guarantee is that we will not be outfought in one match. Our girls will fight harder than everyone because we’ve been working harder. There’s not a chance that other teams are working harder than us.”

“I’m so proud of them — they love the game, they love the sport, they’re fun to be around, they’ve worked so hard and Sophie’s a fantastic captain,” Ernst said. “So, win or lose this weekend, we’re going to give it our all.”

SPORTS

Women’s Basketball Georgetown (4-15, 2-5) vs. St. John’s (14-4, 5-2) Friday, 6 p.m.

McDonough Arena

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

RECORD-BREAKING The swimming and diving team broke several McCarthy Pool records over the weekend.

See B9

Liselot Koenen 2013-14 Record: 11-6, 4-1 Big East

Victoire Saperstein 2013-14 Record: 11-8, 4-3 Big East

Sophia Barnard 2013-14 Record: 17-14, 5-2 Big East

Women’s Tennis Senior Sophie Panarese

TOM SCHNOOR Hoya Staff Writer

Young Squad Aims to Excel The Georgetown women’s tennis team will kick off its 2015 regular season today and tomorrow against Virginia Commonwealth, Norfolk State and Campbell in the 4-1 Invitational Match in Richmond, Va. The Blue and Gray concluded their 2013-2014 season with an 11-11 record. Though the Hoyas finished with a .500 winning percentage, their season was a roller-coaster with multiple ups and downs. They began the season with a dismal 1-7 record; however, they quickly responded stringing together a sixmatch win streak beginning in late February. Notching those six wins brought the Hoyas to a 7-7 record, setting the stage for the remainder of the season.

Though Georgetown earned the No. 5 seed in the Big East tournament, a loss to No. 4 St. John’s in the first round quickly deflated its postseason hopes.

The team’s subsequent rout of Villanova in the back draw was encouraging, but the early exit still left much to be desired for the Hoyas.

This season, the team is looking to get a fresh start. The players have fewer opportunities for actual court time due to the elimination of the Hoyas’

“

Our girls will fight harder than everyone because we’ve been working harder.”

3

The number of times freshman guard Dorothy Adomako has won the Big East Rookie of the Week honor in consecutive weeks.

Hoyas Hunt for 4th Straight

Sophie Panarese 2013-14 Record: 10-15, 2-4 Big East

Hoya Staff Writer

NUMBERS GAME

MEN’S BASKETBALL

WOMEN’S TENNIS

MADELINE AUERBACH

TALKING POINTS

old courts outside McDonough Gymnasium, and as a result, the athletes have been placing a larger focus on training and endurance.

“We’ve been training a lot.

Given our circumstances — we just got our courts demolished, Yates doesn’t really like that we play on their courts — we’ve had to put in that extra effort off the court. Cross-training, doing a lot of running, a lot of working out, and every minute we’re on the court we really have to focus because we don’t have that many compared to all the other teams that we play,” senior captain Sophie Panarese explained.

The Hoyas have multiple new faces on their 2015 roster, which should prove to be significant for the team’s prospects. With the departure of last year’s seniors, including Madeline Jaeger and Kelly Commolli, various players will see more match time and will need to step up as leaders.

“Both myself and the other juniors have had to step up and show some leadership because every year your role changes.

For freshmen, you have to just listen and do your job; for sophomores, a little bit more responsibility; junior, you can’t See RICHMOND, B9

When the final buzzer sounded after Georgetown’s 78-58 upset over No. 4 Villanova on Monday night, the Georgetown student section rushed onto Verizon Center’s floor. Media outlets across the country debated whether or not the court storming was justified, but it was clear that the Georgetown faithful intended to bask in the afterglow of an important win against a top-ranked rival.

Head Coach John Thompson III did not share their sentiment, however.

“We have to quickly forget and gain confidence, learn from, grow from tonight’s game and play just as well when we go on the road on Saturday,” Thompson said at his postgame press conference, only minutes after the final students had departed from the floor.

Thompson’s words may have sounded like typical coach-speak, but they carried extra weight considering Saturday’s opponent, Marquette (10-8, 2-4 Big East), has won its last five home games played against Georgetown (13-5, 5-2 Big East). In fact, most of the seniors on this year’s Hoya roster were in ninth grade in 2008 when a Georgetown team last won in Milwaukee.

Luckily for the Hoyas, the Jan. 6 meeting between the two teams will be more relevant to Saturday’s outcome than any of the games played when center Roy Hibbert (COL ’08) anchored the Georgetown defense. Georgetown, led by a double-double from senior cen-

ter Joshua Smith, won its home game against Marquette 65-59, but the victory came with limited style points.

Most notably, the Golden Eagles baffled the Hoyas in the second half with a variety of aggressive zone defenses, cutting what had been an 11-point Georgetown lead to only one in the game’s final minutes. The Hoyas went without a field goal for nearly 12 minutes during that half and would have likely lost if it were not for their ability to draw fouls and convert free throws during the drought. This time around, Georgetown will try to make both ball and player movement a focal point of its offense.

“The first time we played them, we were very stagnant,” Thompson said.

“We have to get a lot more motion… We have to do quick reversals, get the zone moving and then attack.”

Freshman forward Isaac Copeland and his impressive midrange game could prove helpful in doing just that.

Copeland, along with senior guard and co-captain Jabril Trawick, played an unusually large role in Georgetown’s two victories last weekend.

Copeland drilled the game winning three-pointer against Butler on Monday with only 5.4 seconds remaining, and he contributed a career high 17 points and six rebounds against Villanova on Monday. It seems that the game is finally slowing down for the freshman, whom many considered to be a five-star recruit out of high school.

Copeland insists that he has experi-

JULIA HENNRIKUS/THE HOYA

Freshman forward Isaac Copeland scored a career-high 17 points Monday. enced no revelation.

“Nothing’s really changed, I’ve just been playing my game,” he said. “More things are opening up for me. I can see more scoring opportunities, and my teammates cutting. So it’s working out for me.”

Monday’s win over Villanova seemed to be a potential turning point for Georgetown in many ways. After showing flashes of brilliance earlier in the season, the Hoyas put together a sustained and balanced attack coupled with a relentless defensive effort and, as a result, notched their first marquee victory of the year.

SWIMMING & DIVING

See MARQUETTE, B8

SAXA SYNERGY

Paolo Santamaria

NATE MOULTON/THE HOYA

Freshman Ryan Murphy rounded out a sweep of the top three spots of the 200-yard backstroke race Saturday in McCarthy Pool.

VIEWPOINT

Super Bowl To Define QB History

Court Storming Excites, but Disappoints B I f it were up to me, no one would have stormed the court after the men’s basketball team’s dominant 20-point win over No. 4 Villanova on Monday.

Head Coach John Thompson III did not want it to happen, the players tried to signal to fans not to storm and, in general, the phenomenon of storming the court in college basketball is overdone.

But it was not up to me. Even as president of Hoya Blue, there was little I could do to stop it. The fans were going to storm the court and I knew better than to throw myself in front of a mob bent on charging forward.

However, that does not mean storming the court was unwarranted or that the embarrassment expressed by alumni on social media is justified. For a moment, take Georgetown and Villanova out of the equation and think of the criteria that any fan base would use to justify storming the court. Courts are stormed after rivalry games, big upsets and historic wins — and Monday’s beatdown of Villanova was all three.

The matchup was obviously a rivalry game. In the current iteration of the Big East, Villanova is geographically the closest school to Georgetown and no one can question the history and animosity between the two teams.

Villanova is the biggest rival we currently have, and Georgetown-

Villanova is arguably the principal rivalry in a resurgent Big East.

That Monday’s game was a big upset goes hand in hand with the fact that it was a historic win. Few — if any — critics and fans expected the Hoyas to beat the fourth-ranked team in the country by 20 points and to dominate the game from start to finish. In terms of history, beating a team with Villanova’s ranking

made it the highest ranked team the Hoyas have beaten since then-No. 7 Georgetown faced then-No. 2 Villanova on Feb. 6, 2010. To put that in perspective, the current seniors on the team were sophomores in high school and the current freshmen were in seventh grade. In that game, the Hoyas were ranked seventh in the nation.

To find a game where an

unranked Georgetown team knocked off a top-five team, you need to go all the way back to Jan. 21, 2006, when Georgetown dethroned the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils. The current seniors were in sixth grade. Verizon Center was still called the MCI Center. Fans stormed the court following that win as well.

See CANFIELD, B9

JULIA HENNRIKUS/THE HOYA

Students stormed the court after Georgetown routed No. 4 Villanova 78-58 at Verizon Center. Senior guard Jabril Trawick had four steals and 10 points, and senior guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera added 17 points.

Visit us online at thehoya.com/sports

oth quarterbacks have enjoyed successful careers. While one is an athletic, mobile commander, the other is a fierce, veteran signal caller who has performed on this stage five times before.

Russell Wilson and Tom Brady represent two very different eras of football, yet both share similar stories. Drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Wilson, like Brady, was overshadowed by more highly touted talent, specifically Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, who were drafted first and second overall, respectively. Though Luck and Griffin have had success, Wilson, who is affectionately known as “Dangeruss” boasts the most impressive skills. He is efficient, he limits his mistakes and he has excellent game management skills. Although the Legion of Boom (the Seahawk’s secondary) and Beast Mode (their running back Marshawn Lynch) often overshadow his skills, the team would not be the reigning Super Bowl champions if it were not for Wilson.

In leading his team’s championship campaign, Wilson’s stats were not jaw dropping; however, his poise and precision ultimately helped Seattle capture the Lombardi trophy. This year, Wilson followed up last season with over 3,000 passing yards while adding six rushing touchdowns.

Seattle needed a historic win just to make it to the Super Bowl, and their regular season was far less dominating than it was a year ago. Still, Wilson’s leadership has put Seattle in a position to be the first team to win back-to-back championships since, well, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

If Wilson and the Seahawks can take down a Patriots team led by an even more dominant quarterback, he will cement himself as a top-tier quarterback in the league.

Wilson’s critics will knock his accuracy and his inability to throw the deep ball, See SANTAMARIA, B9