296. MONA LISA (1986)

Movie #2 for NOIRvember is the first of our two neo noir delights for the month.

It's Neil Jordan's Mona Lisa from 1986 starring Bob Hoskins, Cathy Tyson, and Michael Caine.

From IMDB: A man recently released from prison manages to get a job driving a call girl from customer to customer.

ENJOY!

YES. SAG-AFTRA HAVE FINALLY JOINED THE WGA, AND HAS COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE AMPTP. IT'S BEEN A VERY LONG AND UPHILL BATTLE FOR NOT JUST THE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES OF BOTH UNIONS, IT HAS ALSO CAUSED A GREAT DEAL OF HARDSHIP FOR THE REST OF THE INDUSTRY'S PROFESSIONALS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

BUT ALL ISN'T BACK TO NORMAL AND WON'T BE FOR SOME TIME. THESE WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE GOING TO BE STRUGGLING WHILE THE INDUSTRY STARTS REMEMBERING HOW TO WORK. THE OVERWHELMING BURDEN OF PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE AND A ROOF OVER ONE'S HEAD DOESN'T END WHEN THE DEALS ARE MADE OR EVEN RATIFIED.

THE INDUSTRY'S USUAL HIATUS/SHUTDOWN IN DECEMBER IS MOST LIKELY GOING TO EXTEND ANY KIND OF BREAK FROM "NORMALCY" IN THE FREQUENCY OF WORK. IT COULD EVEN BE MONTHS INTO 2024 BEFORE PRODUCTIONS GET UP TO SPEED AGAIN. BUT EVEN IF THEY WORK THROUGH THAT USUAL "HOLIDAY HIATUS", FOR MANY FAMILIES THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO NEED ASSISTANCE, EVEN IF THEY RETURN TO WORK. THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP.

IF YOU HAVE A FEW DOLLARS TO SPARE, PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO THE ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND. THE FUND HELPS ALL WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE STRIKE, NOT JUST ACTORS AND WRITERS.

Entertainment Community Fund

https://entertainmentcommunity.org/support-our-work

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As always, and maybe even more than ever, here are some mental health resources for North America:

United States

 https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

The Suicide Hotline phone number has been changed. Now, just text or call 988.

Canada

https://www.ccmhs-ccsms.ca/mental-health-resources-1

1 (833) 456-4566

Even though we don't say it in this episode, more NOW than ever before: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take care of yourselves and those around you.

Be mindful of your surroundings.

Karate in the Garage Linkages