The character Frank Slade { Al Pacino} in the movie “Scent of a Women “ is blind. He is an addicted gambler at the horse races ,lonely and depressed. He has plans to commit suicide. He meets a young women Donna { Gabrielle Anwar } at a wedding reception and invites her to dance the Tango. There is an evocative and emotional moment in the dance scene, known for its elegant and romantic connection between himself and Donna.
Despite being trapped in a world of darkness Frank is able with remarkable skill and passion to glide Donna confidently around the dance floor. This sequence in the movie plays a pivotal role in overcoming his emotional state . As he breaks free from the prison of his world of darkness. The dance offers a significant metaphor for his own redemption. On the verge of ending his own life he discovers a passion and a will to live. The dance ignites a light in Frank’s darkness setting forth a blazing trail of hope and joy.
The world is unravelling and it would seem that chaos shrouds our world in darkness . Covid 19 left much death and suffering in the early 2020’s. The migratory pathways of desperate people fleeing countries torn by war, famine and poverty and the destructive impact of climate change causing fires, hurricanes and floods.
The still point: It was once said in the difficult days of apartheid in South Africa, that every time we light a candle we are saying to the darkness – “We beg to differ.” Yet to dance in these times of a world unravelling is like lighting a candle.
T S Eliot, the English poet who received the Noble prize for Literature in 1948, wrote in his poem “The Four Quartets “ these powerful words: “At the still point of the turning world there the dance is !” He reminds us that despite the chaos of the turning world there exists a need for a still point and the dance.
Dancing in the midst of disease, war, persecution, poverty and many of life’s storms- is like lighting a candle. It may seem incongruous and insensitive to human suffering, but it can be a turning point to resist the harm of this chaos.
I am old enough to remember the border wars in the 1970-1980’s affecting South Africa, , Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It left a swathe of destruction and division on the Southern tip of Africa.
I also recall the events of the USA/ Vietnam war. The protests songs against the war ,the sounds and sights of people marching for peace . These are still vivid in my mind. Woodstock was a poignant moment of standing still and dancing . A powerful statement against senseless killing on both sides.
It was during Woodstock in August 1969 that John Cameron Fogarty of Credence Clearwater Revival wrote the song “Who’ll stop the rain “ a powerful metaphor for the bombs raining down in Vietnam at the Time. It was a protest song against the Vietnam war.
Song: Who’ll stop the rain
Long as I remember the rain been coming down Clouds of mystery pouring confusion on the ground Good men through the ages trying to find the sun And I wonder, still I wonder, who’ll stop the rain.?
Jon Fogerty
I went down Virginia, seeking shelter from the storm Caught up in the fable, I watched the tower grow Five year plans and men deals, wrapped in golden chains And I wonder, still I wonder who’ll stop the rain
? Still the rain kept pouring, falling on my ears And I wonder, still I wonder, who’ll stop the rain?
John Cameron Fogerty.
“Who’ll stop the rain?”, persists in every age as humankind faces the ravages of war. Yet in the midst of these storms there is a dancer whose presence calls for peace and Freedom.
The Court Jester:- Father Nathan Monk 12/01/2026
The role of the court jester is to point out that the King is really the fool and is able to say things that others can’t.
The ultimate role of a regime is to break the spirit of the common people and to rule through fear and to quell disorder. During this spiral most people search for any semblance of light in the dark night of the soul. That is when the court jester should enter and push back the darkness . By holding up the light of truth. In moments like this we still need to laugh. Because if we don’t darkness will steal our hope. It will dim our light. It will rob us of our joy
Joy in the midst of darkness becomes a form of resistance in these times of struggle. We should dance ,sing , and make music. Play and laugh with abandon.
The Gaza Childrens Village- “Academy of Hope” is a prime example of pushing back the darkness and a profound testament of offering the children of Gaza hope and healing through dance ,art and play.
Young Jewish people from Israel and other volunteers from Europe provide daily meals for children traumatised from the war in Gaza/Israel. I see a flickering candle !!
