Open Source does not necessarily mean that the application has to be a software product. In the following case the application is a refreshing soft drink. You also might have interest in an Open Source beer.

Although today is a day better known for it’s april fools (Pirate bay april fool hoax, Google april fool hoax) I finally had time to watch the fascinating and alarming movie “An inconvenient truth” starring the former vice president of the USA Al Gore.

Basically the movie is a visually enhanced version of Al Gores presentation about global warming which he already held in dozens of cities around the world. I was a bit skeptical what this presentation could be about and I as stupid as it sounds I was afraid that the time watching it would not be worth it. Let’s make it short: it is worth it. Definitely. It is an excellent work which will open your eyes and in comparison to many other documentations on difficult topics it really gives you answers. Al Gore is giving us hints on how to participate to save our planet and everyone can contribute.

For more information on the movie and the background story and anything related to it see www.climatecrisis.net.
You also may subscribe to the RSS feed which provides up to date news on global warming (RSS feed).

Right after watching the movie I wanted to get in contact with this really interesting man. I wanted to tell him that I want to help him to spread his presentation. If you too want to get in contact with him you best might get in contact with him via snailmail.

Yesterday we enjoyed our last movie of the Crossing Europe film festival 2006. It was Kontakt, a Macedonian/German production. A very funny and entertaining movie which won the “Ray” audience award of the festival. The audience was glad to hear some statements of the main actress of the movie (who revealed the major secret of the main actor of the movie).

The festival was quite successful and very very interesting and entertaining for the audience. We are already looking forward to the next festival, taking place from 24th to 29th of April 2007.

Kontakt movie, imdb.com

Right back from my second day at the Crossing Europe film festival. Today I joined two marvellous screenings: the “European animation highlights” and “On the outskirts (Am Rande der Städte)”.

The “European animation highlights” are a compilation of short films which gives a good overview of European animation works of the last year. The DVD should be available around June (hopefully, the initiators of the DVD said). The range of different styles was amazing. From light, entertaining trick films to really deep and heavy animations. I have to admit that one or two masterpieces were too abstract for my taste but it was good to see all the different types of contributions. One of my favourites was Fallen Arts which was an award winning computer animation. Just take a look at the incredible awards list. But the compilation also contained works of yet unknown students who delivered high quality animations too. The first work was “Maestro” which you can download here (44MB MPG). Sadly I did not find any other works online.

“On the outskirts” is a documentary film which deals with new communities which have evolved on the Turkish coastal areas. Large buildings where the Turkish people who worked hard in foreign countries (especially Germany) spend their retirement. The director itself explained to the audience that she wanted to focus on the problem the children of those workers face. They are forced to go “back” to a country which language they barely speak and to which they hardly have any connection anymore. It was very informative to listen to the directors stories. I am glad that I could see the film as it shows me a different Turkey than that I had in my mind.

The images of the festival officials are not published yet at the Crossing Europe gallery homepage. I am quite sure that I must be on one of the photos they took today Will check it out tomorrow…