I’m sitting on the Bolt Bus from New York City to Washington DC and I am realizing that there could be no better week to post this film I worked on called “Continent Unknown.” It was written, directed and edited by a colleague of mine – Meng Xie and tells the story of… Ah no, this is a vlog, right. So you should just watch it yourself before you continue reading! P.S. I was the Director of Photography, or “DP” as they call it in the filmmaking circles, meaning I was in charge of camera and lighting.
So, I’m sitting on this Bolt Bus down to DC, an oh-so important city, not just for the US but for the entire world. Even though it’s so vital and for over seven years I have lived only four hours away, this will be my first time admiring the Capitol and kneeling down at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial… oh I forgot – they still haven’t built it.
Anyways, back to me. I’m sitting on this bus of the future with internet connection and power plugs, and decided to watch “Continent Unknown” again. (It’s been a while since I’ve seen it. I rarely watch my work, but I should start doing it!) As I’m looking at the screen, I am thinking that just in a couple of hours I will be this boy sitting in a café with my tourist guide in front of me, pondering about where I should go next, as I am also trying to figure out what I should take away from all the new things I have seen thus far.
On the other hand I will also be that girl writing postcards to my family in Germany, not understanding much of the world around me, even though I know the language spoken in Washington DC. My English, many would say, is excellent even though it is not my first language, but that of course doesn’t mean I understand what is being said. I oftentimes don’t even understand Germans speaking German, as far as I know. But at the same time, I also often feel that when I speak German that a different side of me is being brought out.
Just the other day I met a friend with whom I finally had a chance to speak some German. It is just not the same as communicating in English. I know the way I move, the way my eyes sparkle and the kind of jokes I make are more playful, easier, less conscious; different. It’s a great part of my identity that just doesn’t translate into English. Maybe I should just start all my conversations speaking in German and see where it will lead me. Maybe. But German doesn’t overcome all barriers either. I wonder what does.
Next to me rests No One Belongs Here More than You. Stories by Miranda July. I haven’t really started reading it, but the title alone is very striking and makes me quite curious. A good friend of mine gave it to me a week ago and I wonder if the title is supposed to be a message from my friend to me or if it is just coincidence? No one belongs here more than me? I don’t understand most of this planet’s people nor do I agree with their actions. How can I belong here? How can my friend believe I belong here? It’s my Continent Unknown… if you ask me.
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