14 Comments

Congratulations Alex! (& Mrs DdW) - Bless your baby.

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I have a memory of a film I watched about a man stuck in a telephone box, it terrified me, which is probably why I remember it.

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That does sound terrifying—very claustrophobic. Is it animated?

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No, I recall it had no speaking, maybe just music, I kinda think it was a French film.

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Thank you for finding it. I truly appreciate your help. Looking at the date of release I was probably 6 or 7 when I saw it, obviously not great for a kid to see that and try and make sense of it. I can see now that it's about the futility of human life, and alienation from a society that wants to help but ultimately they are useless, and go on with their lives, unable to engage with his suffering. The music is haunting and effective in building suspense and horror.

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Wonderful article and congratulations on the new chapter.

The space that you speak of, of half-remembered impactful films watched in the quiet living rooms of our memory, is singular. I had the fortune of watching a mind-blowing film as a child, only half remembering the boy and girl protagonist, the graceful daunting robots, the island that floated, to find out years later that it was Laputa. What gorgeous discovery.

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Wow, Laputa is such a good one to watch young then rediscover. Do you remember how you saw it in the first place?

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I literally completely forgot this movie until I saw one of the screengrabs you shared, and then I remember watching it. I don't remember the plot or anything, just the _feeling_ of evocative gloom. Must revisit this.

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Interesting to know I wasn't the only one out there with subliminal Samson & Sally memories! Its atmosphere is so strong and unusual (for a family film). No wonder it leaves such an impression.

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Congrats on the new kid!

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I feel so fortunate to have watched this. What a surprise! Congratulations on your baby boy. I shall contemplate when to show it to my 19 month old granddaughter Hannah. She will interpret it as she pleases.

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Necessity is the mother of invention.

——Gulliver’s Travels (written by Jonathan Swift)

الضرورة أم الاختراع.

——رحلات جاليفر

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What a fantastic choice of movie. Great piece too.

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