SIX
What would happen if six diverse but eminent people gathered in one room? My dream dinner party would occur. No doubt that it would be an exceptional experience. The artistic spirit would be reigning in the room, with vigorous conversations of ardent personalities.
The first of the six outstanding people would be Gelsey Kirkland. Despite being notorious for the uninhibited off-stage behavior, Kirkland was a diminutive and emotional legendary ballerina, who was called ‘the best of her generation’ by Mikhail Baryshnikov. Her dancing combined a tender, almost childlike innocence with strength, speed, musicality, and soul. Gelsey Kirkland received worldwide acclaim for her performances in the classical repertory: the title role in ‘Giselle,’ Kitri in ‘Don Quixote,’ Clara in ‘The Nutcracker,’ Aurora in ‘The Sleeping Beauty,’ etc. It would be gripping to talk with such a strong woman with a tragic youth about how an avocation of one’s life may heal a person in the darkest times.
Although I am surely not a movie aficionado, I am still strangely lured to films featuring Jake Gyllenhaal (though I have not seen many of them). Being one of the most celebrated actors of the generation, Gyllenhaal has gained popular and critical recognition by not being loath to experiment. He has exquisitely walked the lines of teen geek, moody outcast, creepy weirdo, passionate cowboy, serious journalist, and supportive superhero, all the roles being embraced by the audiences. The actor has been awarded numerous prizes and nominations, including one Academy Award, three British Academy Film Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and one Tony Award. If Jake Gyllenhaal showed up at my dinner party, I would ask him how to remain passionate about what you are doing because his acting career spans more than 20 years and has not always been rewarding.
A rare actor may achieve movie stardom without a shrewd director, guiding him behind the cameras. They are co-dependent in a way; therefore, having allegedly invited a fine actor, I could not neglect to ask a distinguished director to come. Among all stunningly adept directors, in my humble opinion, Christopher Nolan stands out the most. His mesmerizing talent knows no boundaries encouraging the filmmaker to ingeniously transmit his riveting ideas onto the screen. Having sufficient name recognition, Nolan has received many prestigious awards and honors throughout his glorious career. He has been nominated for five Academy Awards, five British Academy Film Awards, and five Golden Globe Awards and won many other famed accolades. If I had a chance to talk with the reputable man, I would ask him where to draw inspiration and courage to break the mold by creating unorthodox things since Nolan is acclaimed for his unconventional works.
The youngest of the six, Harry Styles has all the makings of a new icon, equally ranking with other prominent figures in the music industry. His electrifying performances with the music that either bubbles with energy or cheerfully laments love, embellished with introspective lyrics, stir the audiences to the core and win the highest accolades (including Grammy and the Brits). Moreover, the charismatic man has already gone beyond simply being a flamboyant singer. Challenging our expectations, he gave a dazzling dance performance in his ‘Treat People With Kindness’ music video. On top of that, Styles is a fledgling actor. In 2017 he starred in Christopher Nolan’s brilliant ‘Dunkirk,’ playing a small role with subtle grace and zero pop-star showboating. Now the singer is involved in the production of two more promising movies: Olivia Wilde’s psychological thriller ‘Don’t Worry, Darling,’ where Florence Pugh takes the lead, and Michael Grandage’s romantic drama ‘My Policeman.’ Such a versatile person as Harry Edward Styles would be a dream companion to discuss the importance of taking chances and experimenting in our fleeting life to develop and grow personally.
Another person, whose life was greatly permeated with music, would be jazz trumpeter Miles Davis. He was a restless innovator and a genuine cultural icon, his music evolving and enhancing over the course of his five-decade career. His trumpet danced gracefully, softly rising and falling. Cool and relaxed, it navigated across the harmonies, finding a new melodic route to let Miles Davis, avoiding the virtuoso, swift playing, convey more feeling by playing less. I wish I could discuss with him contemporary music and its development.
Last but not least guest would be Ivan Ivanovich Shishkin — the artist that conquered my Russian heart many years ago. I am deeply enamored of his absorbing Russian landscapes. Shishkin is forever inducted into the history of Russian art for mesmerizing paintings celebrating the grandeur and beauty of Russian nature. It seems as if all his brushstrokes were infused with a profound love for the motherland and a stubborn pursuit of perfection. Frankly, I would be jubilant just to look at all the paintings with the unsurpassed artist.
