The Blind Fury of Destiny

 

 

 

 

 

I'm currently enjoying the HBO max series "My Brilliant Friend" about two girls who are close friends growing up in a claustrophobic neighborhood in Italy after the Second World War. The series is beautifully shot. The writing is excellent. And - listening to Italian is not the worst thing in the world either.    At the end of the first season - there is a brief, gem of a scene that takes place in a high school religion class.  A Priest is going on and on about the evils of communism.. The main character of the series, Elena Greco, is completely bored by the lecture and so is drawing in her notebook:     Priest: The theoreticians of communism have never concealed their hatred for religion. Marx defines it "the opium of the people". Lenin calls it "spiritual booze". And Gramsci... [At this point the Priest sees that Elena Greco is drawing in her notebook and not paying strict attention to his prattle.]    Priest: Greco... Why are you drawing instead of listening to me?   Elena Greco:  I'm drawing... but I'm listening.  Priest: Doesn't it interest you enough?   EG: No.   Priest: Why is that?   EG:  Because I think that man is so exposed to the blind fury of destiny that to entrust oneself to the Holy Spirit, to God, is the same thing as collecting trading cards while the city burns.   Priest: Please leave this classroom. Get out. In the hallway you'll have time to reflect on your offensive remarks. Go.   [Elena leaves the classroom.]   So fucking good.    Elena is spot on, of course - and so brave.. for speaking her mind. And the Priest, well, he knows that she's right, but he can't tolerate challenges to his house of cards and orders her out of the room..  I found myself cheering at the television screen..  ..."collecting trading cards while the city burns"...  Indeed.

 

 

 

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