Bennington Banner from Bennington, Vermont • 18

FEATURES 5C SAIIUUMY SUNDAY, JUM I1)-I'D, NNINCiTONHANNf An Elephant Yon Won't Forget At the Pictures I The uticr-math of youth violence is alwayt fruught with moruliing and fortune- COoklC tHH'iill commentary. Following tlic Columbine 3u ir it Andrew McKwrwH sthool seems quiet, iilino-4 underwater, a testament to it jxiwrr to direct, to its nature as an edifice of control, When Alex, in an earlier scene, wsilki through the high sthool cafeleiia we see immediately how he stand out be simply doesn't hear the rhythm. Hie lacopliouy of the si 1mx is deafening from his perspective, forcing him to grip the sides of his head. The violence inspires disc-licving utrophy in (he students; everyone moves slowly, lethargically, so indoctrinated ure they in the patterns of school life that 1)117 can't shake themselves free. The same serene flow of movement that occur before the shooting continues lifter it, making the deaths seem surreal.

There is no conclusion to the film, nor is there any explanation; it simply shows things happening. The film is an elegant testament to the depth of our ignorance and the claustrophobic helplessness that arises from our lack of control. Instead of moralizing or spewing out a series of pithy answers, il simply shows us a pic-lure and leaves us with the image. It puts the problem of violence and fear in this country into perspective, returning us, against our will, to a cold truism: we may not have the answer, but then again wc haven't really asked the question. "Elephant" is rated for violence and language.

It is currently available on video. comes fiom the parable of the blind men who each pah a part of something that 1 1 icy can't identify; only when they sKak to each other arc they uhle to com hide that what they hold an elephant, likewise, the film is comjioscd of a scries of diverse moments which, taken together, explain an event this case, a Columbine-like school shooting. Il is il subtle, oddly serene movie llic camera folhws various high school students as they languidly go their ways ubout the school. The choreography is reininisi cut of the uisi-crn film style there's an emphasis on showing simple moments or the gradual unfolding o( events, instead of a laser like focus on plot or characters. There very little dialogue in the movie.

The students we see are Military, isolated, standing out against the oceanic conformity of their environment. The movie functioas like a time kxip; we see the same scene repeated several limes from different viewpoints, like a vortex at the center of the film pulling all the participants towards it. Ultimately, this. vortex is the moment when two young men, Alex (Alex Frost) and Eric (Eric Deulen) walk through the school dixirs wearing somber army fatigues and carrying mysterious canvas bags. The shooting, when it occurs, is almost an afterthought; the bulk of the film consists of establishing the character of the schtxil itself, the almost hypnotic rhythm that the students and teachers must move to.

When the camera follows a student the good time to a trciwgrr, but the pctiod following the mIiooI shooting was one of the worst. 'Ihcrc haven't Ix-cn many films tat kllng the intr ur of this phenomenon; il is Mill tirated us an uninciiiioiiiible topic, an intimate form of domestic violence that was utmost us embarrassing us it was fatal. Crude arguments such as "Manic the computer games!" were immediately hoisted as standards, rather than looking face-on at what promised to be un exquisitely complicated dilenimu; a toxic slew that incorporated not just the problem of violence, but the American way of life, the implications of our politics und social mores, and of course some rudimentary questions concerning the availability of weaxiiis. The most prestigious film to arise from this froth is Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine," a bombastic documentary with a clear iigenda. It wits an excellent movie, but in my subjective opinion it was somewhat marred by having well a clear agenda.

The recent film "The Laramie Project" was effectively a long consolation card; although it had its moments, it was fraught with sentimentality and anger, and came to a conclusion that rang with an undeserved catharsis. Therein lies the problem: the feeling that wc can write our own endings to this story. The country is trying its best to answer the question, without actually understanding the problem. Into this mix steps Gus Van Sant's "Elephant." The title "Elephant" Th rtctnlly rafurblshad Hlldtnt Obiarvatory It back In UM tor exploring th night aklM over the Battenklll Valley. Astronomy club uses Lincoln's telescope shooting and the murder of Matthew Shepherd, a veritable circus lent was erected over the country within which we were obligated to see, in distorted pantomime, perpetual re-enactment of the events, complete with barkers telling us why the events had hapjicned.

Unfortunately, instead of exercising 20-2(1 hindsight we looked backwards myopieally: we had no idea what the significance was if any to the incidents of violence that seemed to Ik occurring with the grim coordination of synchronized swimming. Following the school shootings there was a glorified psychoanalytical hysteria throughout the country, with teenagers treated like a fifth column secretly harboring sinister plans, working against us while we went to our jobs and drank our martinis. Children were castigated for turning two Lego blocks into guns, or sent for psychological reeducation if they admitted they weren't happy all the time. I don't mean to argue that there's ever a Dorset Historical Society series continues Heinz inducted into boxing hall of fame HEINZ, from page 1C the Middlebury College schcxil newspaper. Upon graduation he worked as a messenger and a copy boy for the New York Sun.

In l43, he was the paper's war correspondent for Europe and cov- 1 .1, 1 1: vi. With no telescope, Hildcne's Oliscrvatory was empty and was then used as a smokehouse and a storage facility for several decades before falling into disrepair. Then, in 1984. Lila Ache-son Wallace awarded Friends of Ilildene Inc. with a challenge grant of for restoration.

With the help of several contributors andother organizations, the goal was exceeded in less than a month. Once the restoration of the observatory was complete, the trustees of Burr and Burton Seminary offered to place Lincoln's telescope on loan to Ilildene. In 1W2 the telescope was formally donated to Friends of Ilildene ending Burr and Burton's 64-year stewardship of the telescope. In 2(K)2, the telescope was cleaned, the brass was polished, the mechanisms realigned and lubricated, attachments were reestablished and the optics were completely restored. The telescope is now fully functioning and it is I lildene's wish that it be used by local schools.

The Hildene Astronomy Club is a committee geared toward utilizing the newly refurbished observatory, making it available for public viewings and generating excitement about astronomy. The club's objectives include' the preservation of the Lincoln telescope, both mechanically and aesthetically. The club is committed to promoting public interest in astronomical observation and sharing the knowledge of the astronomical sciences. For more information about Hildene and the Hildene Astronomy Club call 802-362-1788 or visit www.hildene.org. MANCIOTER His line for astronomy inspired Robert lixld Lincoln to construct an astral observatory just 8() yards north-cast of his house- Ilildene.

The I Iildenc Astronomy Club was first formed in February 2(K)3 to ensure the preservation of the Robert Todd Lincoln telescope and to further education of astronomical science, but the history begins long before that. As a young man, Robert Todd Lincoln, son of President Abraham Lincoln, became interested in astronomy and soon dreamed of having his very own observatory in which to pursue his hobby. Soon after arriving at I Iildenc, he surveyed and selected a high point of land for his observatory. The location, which was 80 yards northeast of the house, offered a clear and unobstructed celestial view. The heavy, 12-fcxit observation dome was constructed and is perfectly balanced.

In fact, the accuracy of the construction allows the dome to be easily rotated 360 degrees by just one person using the metal bars attached to its base. The movement of the dome allows the two-foot-wide shutter to be precisely positioned. Lincoln soon commissioned the building of a large, six-inch, refracting telescope, replacing the smaller original instrument. When it arrived in 1(XW, several courses of brick had to be added to the observatory's walls to accommodate the larger telescope. When Lincoln died in 1926, his wife Mary Harlan Lincoln donated the telescope to the Burr and Burton Seminary, along with the money needed to build a replica of Hildcne's observatory.

each othef in the ring at the'end of a fight, it's genuine." Just as Heinz respected the fighters he wrote about, so do his sportswriting peers pour respect on I leinz. "When they finally get around to taking a group photo of the greatest writers of all time, WC. I leinz will be there, seated front and center," said Bert R. Sugar, a boxing historian and writer who is now the editor-in-chief of Boxing Illustrated. "Rarely have we read an executant as skillful, one who has left such a lasting impression on his readers." Also inducted along with Heinz were Azumah' Nelson, a three-time super featherweight champion, welterweight champion Carlos Palomino, light heavyweight champion Dwight Muhammed Qawi, super bantamweight champion Daniel Zaragoza, referee Stanley Christodoulu, and promoter J.

Russell Peltz. businesses, quarries and farms in the town. Longtime Vermont historians Art Gillert and Terry Tyler assisted Pam Chandler and I lank Westphalen in this endeavor. Tyler will also debut the reproduction of a copper coin once produced by the nearby Harmon Mint, Vermont's only mint. One of about 30 different coins produced during the mints' short three years of operation will be available in an exact reproduction.

The historical society is the home of 13 of these original coins. The Bennington Museum also has about 26 which will be on loan to the historical for the evening event and the following weekend's Vermont Historical Fair in Tunbridge. Dorset will be sharing space with Rupert at the fair for an exhibition of the combined coin collection of Harmon Mint copper coins. For more information call Sloan McBurney 802-325-3540 or Pat Carmichael 802-362-6254. cieu uie u-vny laiiunigs 111 inui-mandy in 144 through to V-E Dav in 1M5.

Another one of his books, "When We Were One," is a compilation of his dispatches from the front during the final year of World War II, and includes follow up interviews with several of the soldiers. It was the camaraderie of the fighters that impressed him most of all, Heinz said. "Boxing has meant so much to me," he said on Thursday from Fillmore Pond. "I found in boxing a comradeship much like I found among the G.I.'s in Europe when I was a combat correspondent. When you see two fighters grasp DORSET June 24 is the evening thai the Dorset Historical society continues their "Education through Entertainment" series with an event-packed evening featuring a lecture by Civil War historian William O.

Adams, Jr. A lifelong student of the Civil War, Adams will tell of "Facts and Fallacies of Uie Civil War" and exhibit a collection of uniforms, weapons, and accoutrements acquired over 40 years of study. The event will include re-enactors answering questions in the period's first-person language. Several prominent authors of Vermonters in' the Civil War -will-sign their various books while period music plays in the background. After the talk the lady "Friends of Dorset I listorical Society" will offer period deserts, delicacies, and beverages.

A raffle for a print by noted military artist Mort Kun-stler will be held. Proceeds will go to care for and preserve the society's extensive artifact collection. Long Trair School will host this event. Dorset Historical Society's new edition of the popular "Dorset Historic Walking Tour" of the village and "Historic Driving Tour of Dorset and East Dorset" is in final production. This is a compact two-tours-in-one booklet featuring pictures and descriptions of all the old houses, Begin the healing process today! Neck Back Pain Headaches Migrains Sciatica Carpal Tunnel Dads come in second in Dr.

Francine Lajoie, Chiropractic Physician 680 State Road (Rte 2), North Adams, MA 01247 413-663-3753 FATHER'S DAY, from page 1C for him. "It's harder to get a present for Dad," Zelaya said. "1 usually give him a nice phone call and a card. With my mom I get her something 'touchy "I don't know what he really likes. Even though he says it's nice, he usually sets it aside." But a Best Buy survey said what men really like are gift cards and electronics specifically, pricey plasmaflat-screen televisions.

These items ranked higher than sporting goods, tools and tickets to sporting events and concerts. Forty percent of the 509 men interviewed in the Best Buy survey admitted they have received an unwanted Father's Day gift, and 60 percent feel women get what they really want on Mother's Day more often than men do on Father's Day. Dads said the dreaded gifts are sweaters, self-help books and "No. 1 Dad!" knickknacks. Shop owner Betsy O'Connell hopes dads will have a sweet tooth this year.

She's making and selling 75 fladge ties at her store Violet Talk in Alamo Heights.In the 15 years O'Connell has sold the ties, her orders haven't increased. On Valentine's Day, she sells 800 fudge hearts with names. O'Connell said customers commonly decline to buy the chocolate ties for Fathers Day because their fathers "need to lose weight." E-mail your stories to artsbenningtonbanner.com i Bennington Furniture Southern Vermont's 1 Furniture Store Historical Route 7A Medical Acupuncture Barbara Rosenthal MD call for 3 free initial consultation 655 East Main St, Bennington Mountain Healing Arts, Manchester 4, fso!) 447-3212 802-447-0000 rw.benningtoafornltim.oom WE SEE JUST HOW QUICKLY THEY GO FROM BABIES TO BABYSITTERS. WE LIVE WHERE YOU LIVE" 7 We know you have more important things to do than worry about your dental plan! We, at Northeast Delta Dental, know that dental benefit administration isn't your fop priority. That's why we make it ours.

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