The Painted Veil

I saw The Painted Veil recently and was moved to tears. It is a lovely film, very well performed and beautifully shot with a haunting soundtrack by Alexandre Desplat. The film is based on a book by Somerset Maugham and its title comes from a poem by Shelley.

Pasted below is Shelley's poem which is the essence of the tale.

Lift not the painted veil which those who live
Call Life: though unreal shapes be pictured there,
And it but mimic all we would believe
With colours idly spread,--behind, lurk Fear
And Hope, twin Destinies; who ever weave
Their shadows, o'er the chasm, sightless and drear.
I knew one who had lifted it--he sought,
For his lost heart was tender, things to love,
But found them not, alas! nor was there aught
The world contains, the which he could approve.
Through the unheeding many he did move,
A splendour among shadows, a bright blot
Upon this gloomy scene, a Spirit that strove
For truth, and like the Preacher found it not.

LIBERTY FESTIVAL 2007

Yes, i've been busy and hence quiet on the blog front. But i return with a colourful bunch of photographs to liven up my comatose blog;)
This Saturday, the Liberty Festival was held at Trafalgar Square. Yours truly was one of the people organising the 'Carnival Section' put together by Creative Routes. Here are some pics for the day...!