You know what they say… it's not You know what they say… it's not what you don't know that will hurt what you don't know that will hurt you, it's what you know that isn't so! you, it's what you know that isn't so! In other words, your misconceptions.In other words, your misconceptions.

TThere’s no country called ‘Persia’ anymore. Persians speak here’s no country called ‘Persia’ anymore. Persians speak a language called ‘Farsi’. a language called ‘Farsi’.

Persians are the main majority and dominant ethnic group Persians are the main majority and dominant ethnic group of Iran. However they are also found as minorities in other of Iran. However they are also found as minorities in other

countries, particularly Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and countries, particularly Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, though in these countries they are usually Tajikistan, though in these countries they are usually

thought of as sub-groups. Significant numbers of Persians thought of as sub-groups. Significant numbers of Persians also reside outside of Iran, with the largest communities also reside outside of Iran, with the largest communities found in the United States, Germany, England, Canada, found in the United States, Germany, England, Canada,

Kuwait, Turkey and UAE. Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, and the UAE Kuwait, Turkey and UAE. Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, and the UAE also have large populations of Persian descendents, also have large populations of Persian descendents,

referred to as Ajamis. Since the Sassanian era the country referred to as Ajamis. Since the Sassanian era the country has been known to its own people as Iran; however, to the has been known to its own people as Iran; however, to the

western world, the official name of Iran from the 6th century western world, the official name of Iran from the 6th century BCE until 1935 was PersiaBCE until 1935 was Persia

Nowadays, both Nowadays, both PersiaPersia and and IranIran are used interchangeably in are used interchangeably in cultural contexts; however, cultural contexts; however, IranIran is the name used officially is the name used officially

in political contexts. in political contexts.

Once Alice falls through the rabbit-hole into Wonderland, Once Alice falls through the rabbit-hole into Wonderland, the reality that surrounds her undergoes profound change the reality that surrounds her undergoes profound change

while her strategies for dealing with that reality do not. while her strategies for dealing with that reality do not. Wonderland presents her with a myriad of shifting Wonderland presents her with a myriad of shifting

categories; boundaries — such as those between animal categories; boundaries — such as those between animal and human, decorum and rudeness, order and chaos — are and human, decorum and rudeness, order and chaos — are

continually violated. continually violated.

Alice, a stranger to Wonderland, realizes Alice, a stranger to Wonderland, realizes the fantastical nature of the world that the fantastical nature of the world that

surrounds her and must constantly work surrounds her and must constantly work to navigate and understand it. to navigate and understand it.

In her first experiences with In her first experiences with Wonderland, Alice clings to the logic Wonderland, Alice clings to the logic and behavior approved for her reality; and behavior approved for her reality; Wonderland will soon challenge this Wonderland will soon challenge this

reliance since its ground rules reliance since its ground rules correspond neither to those of the real correspond neither to those of the real

world nor to those of Wonderlandworld nor to those of Wonderland.

Mumbai formerly called Bombay, is the capital Mumbai formerly called Bombay, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra.of the Indian state of Maharashtra.

It was officially changed to its Marathi It was officially changed to its Marathi pronunciation of pronunciation of MumbaiMumbai in November 1995. in November 1995.

The former name The former name BombayBombay had its origins in the had its origins in the 16th century when the Portuguese arrived in 16th century when the Portuguese arrived in

the area and called it by various names, which the area and called it by various names, which finally took the written form finally took the written form BombaimBombaim

After the British gained possession of After the British gained possession of the city in the 17th century, it was the city in the 17th century, it was

believed to be anglicised to believed to be anglicised to BombayBombay. . The city was known as Mumbai or The city was known as Mumbai or

Mambai to Marathi speakers and as Mambai to Marathi speakers and as Bambai in Hindi, Persian and Urdu.Bambai in Hindi, Persian and Urdu.

Mumbai is built on what was once an Mumbai is built on what was once an archipelago of seven islands: archipelago of seven islands:

Bombay Island, Parel, Mazagaon, Bombay Island, Parel, Mazagaon, Mahim, Colaba, Worli and Old Mahim, Colaba, Worli and Old

Woman’s Island.Woman’s Island.

The largely fictitious film plot is loosely based on The largely fictitious film plot is loosely based on the building in 1943 of one of the railway bridges the building in 1943 of one of the railway bridges over the Mae Klong – renamed Kwae Yai in the over the Mae Klong – renamed Kwae Yai in the

1960s—at a place called Tha Ma Kham, five 1960s—at a place called Tha Ma Kham, five kilometres from the Thai town of Kanchanaburi. The kilometres from the Thai town of Kanchanaburi. The

notorious Burma-Siam railway, built by notorious Burma-Siam railway, built by Commonwealth, Dutch and American prisoners of Commonwealth, Dutch and American prisoners of war, was a Japanese project driven by the need for war, was a Japanese project driven by the need for

improved communications to support the large improved communications to support the large Japanese army in Burma. During its construction, Japanese army in Burma. During its construction, approximately 13,000 prisoners of war died and approximately 13,000 prisoners of war died and

were buried along the railway. It was completed and were buried along the railway. It was completed and operational by early February 1943. The incidents operational by early February 1943. The incidents

portrayed in the film are mostly fictional, and though portrayed in the film are mostly fictional, and though it depicts bad conditions and suffering caused by it depicts bad conditions and suffering caused by

the building of the Burma Railway and its bridges, to the building of the Burma Railway and its bridges, to depict the reality would have been too appalling for depict the reality would have been too appalling for

filmgoers. Historically the conditions were much filmgoers. Historically the conditions were much worse than depicted.worse than depicted.

Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Valentine. The Valentines honored on February 14 Valentine. The Valentines honored on February 14

are Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni. are Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni. Both Valentines were martyred between AD197-Both Valentines were martyred between AD197-AD269. No romantic elements are present in theAD269. No romantic elements are present in the

original early medieval biographies of original early medieval biographies of either of these martyrs and the films on either of these martyrs and the films on view here have nothing to do with their view here have nothing to do with their

Martyrdom. By the time a Saint Martyrdom. By the time a Saint Valentine became linked to romance in Valentine became linked to romance in

the fourteenth century, distinctions the fourteenth century, distinctions between Valentine of Rome and between Valentine of Rome and

Valentine of Terni were utterly lost. In Valentine of Terni were utterly lost. In the 1969 revision of the Roman Catholic the 1969 revision of the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints, the feast day of Saint Calendar of Saints, the feast day of Saint Valentine on February 14 was removed. Valentine on February 14 was removed.

However, this is still celebrated here However, this is still celebrated here in Balzan-Malta where relics of the saint in Balzan-Malta where relics of the saint

are claimed to be foundare claimed to be found

The mutiny on the The mutiny on the BountyBounty is a mutiny that occurred  is a mutiny that occurred aboard the British Royal Navy ship HMS Bounty on aboard the British Royal Navy ship HMS Bounty on

28 April 1789, and has been commemorated by 28 April 1789, and has been commemorated by several books, films, and popular songs, many of several books, films, and popular songs, many of

which take considerable liberties with the facts. The which take considerable liberties with the facts. The ship was built in 1784 at the Blaydes shipyard in Hull.ship was built in 1784 at the Blaydes shipyard in Hull.

The only two men ever to command her as The only two men ever to command her as the the BountyBounty were Lt. William Bligh and Fletcher  were Lt. William Bligh and Fletcher

Christian, the latter illegally taking command through Christian, the latter illegally taking command through mutiny.  Though Bligh is commonly portrayed as the mutiny.  Though Bligh is commonly portrayed as the epitome of abusive sailing captains (as seen in all the epitome of abusive sailing captains (as seen in all the

movies that came out) this portrayal has recently movies that came out) this portrayal has recently come into dispute.  Bligh was relatively lenient come into dispute.  Bligh was relatively lenient

compared with other British naval officers. The ship compared with other British naval officers. The ship had been purchased by the Royal Navy for a single had been purchased by the Royal Navy for a single

mission in support of an experiment: she was to mission in support of an experiment: she was to travel to Tahiti, pick up breadfruit plants, and travel to Tahiti, pick up breadfruit plants, and

transport them to the West Indies in hopes that they transport them to the West Indies in hopes that they would grow well there and become a cheap source of would grow well there and become a cheap source of food for slaves. Bligh and his crew spent five months food for slaves. Bligh and his crew spent five months in Tahiti. On 28 April 1789, some 1,300 miles west of in Tahiti. On 28 April 1789, some 1,300 miles west of

Tahiti, near Tonga, mutiny broke out. Contrary to Tahiti, near Tonga, mutiny broke out. Contrary to what we saw on the screen, the ship was taken what we saw on the screen, the ship was taken bloodlessly and apparently without struggle.bloodlessly and apparently without struggle.

The Nun's StoryThe Nun's Story is the title of a 1956 novel by Kathryn Hulme. She  is the title of a 1956 novel by Kathryn Hulme. She wrote the book based partly upon the experiences of her wrote the book based partly upon the experiences of her

friend, Marie Louise Habets of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and friend, Marie Louise Habets of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, a Belgian nurse and an ex-nun . The lead character of the Mary, a Belgian nurse and an ex-nun . The lead character of the

book, Sister Luke (real name Gabrielle Van Der Mal) finds her faith book, Sister Luke (real name Gabrielle Van Der Mal) finds her faith tested in Africa where she finds herself at odds with headstrong Dr. tested in Africa where she finds herself at odds with headstrong Dr.

Fortunati, operator of a remote Congo hospital. Fortunati, operator of a remote Congo hospital. Sister Luke is stretched between her desire to be faithful to the Sister Luke is stretched between her desire to be faithful to the rule of her congregation and her desire to be a nurse. Fans of rule of her congregation and her desire to be a nurse. Fans of this film might enjoy knowing how someone living a life under this film might enjoy knowing how someone living a life under religious vows views the film's accuracy.  Many of the customs religious vows views the film's accuracy.  Many of the customs

of religious life depicted in the film were phased out, de-of religious life depicted in the film were phased out, de-emphasized or abandoned after Vatican II. The emphasis emphasized or abandoned after Vatican II. The emphasis nowadays is on being honest about one's failings.  The nowadays is on being honest about one's failings.  The

superior general of a religious order like the one depicted in superior general of a religious order like the one depicted in the film has no equal in rank anywhere in the entire the film has no equal in rank anywhere in the entire

community. The bottom line is while the film and novel both community. The bottom line is while the film and novel both sensationalize and dramatize religious life the depiction of sensationalize and dramatize religious life the depiction of

religious life in the early 1900's is pretty accurate.  religious life in the early 1900's is pretty accurate.  In real life, Marie Louise Habets entered the convent two weeks In real life, Marie Louise Habets entered the convent two weeks

after a brief interview with the superior general, Mother after a brief interview with the superior general, Mother Xaverine. Today, months (if not a couple of years) of Xaverine. Today, months (if not a couple of years) of

discernment would take place and the aspirant would be discernment would take place and the aspirant would be expected to pass a series of psychological tests.expected to pass a series of psychological tests.

Malta StoryMalta Story is a 1953 black and white war film based on the heroic  is a 1953 black and white war film based on the heroic defence of Malta, the island itself, its people and the RAF aviators defence of Malta, the island itself, its people and the RAF aviators

who fought to defend it. In 1942, Britain is trying hard to keep Malta who fought to defend it. In 1942, Britain is trying hard to keep Malta while invasion seems imminent and Italians and Germans are while invasion seems imminent and Italians and Germans are

regularly bombing the airfields and towns regardless. The RAF fight regularly bombing the airfields and towns regardless. The RAF fight to survive against the odds using the few planes available.to survive against the odds using the few planes available.

In the meantime, the situation becomes desperate. In the meantime, the situation becomes desperate. Many civilians are buried daily under the rubble, and Many civilians are buried daily under the rubble, and famine is threatening their survival, as relief convoys famine is threatening their survival, as relief convoys become easy prey to the numerous attacks by air. The become easy prey to the numerous attacks by air. The

island relies on the last few ships of a convoy for island relies on the last few ships of a convoy for supplies. Many air raids take place either to defend the supplies. Many air raids take place either to defend the

island with Spitfires or a number of torpedo planes, island with Spitfires or a number of torpedo planes, like the Beauforts, which succeed in sinking Italian like the Beauforts, which succeed in sinking Italian

tankers. tankers. Filmed on location, the film boasts some exceptional aerial photography. The Filmed on location, the film boasts some exceptional aerial photography. The unique footage used in the film is equivalent to true historic archive material. unique footage used in the film is equivalent to true historic archive material.

Additionally, many scenes were shot next to the real types of aircraft still available Additionally, many scenes were shot next to the real types of aircraft still available in Malta at that time, some of which did not exist any longer elsewhere. The in Malta at that time, some of which did not exist any longer elsewhere. The

Spitfires shown in action are, however, mainly of the later IX, XIV and XVI types that Spitfires shown in action are, however, mainly of the later IX, XIV and XVI types that flew from Malta after 1943-44. In 1942, the RAF was mainly using the V type only flew from Malta after 1943-44. In 1942, the RAF was mainly using the V type only

that appears rarely in the film. In the footage, one can see however the planes that that appears rarely in the film. In the footage, one can see however the planes that attacked Malta, such as the Italian SM79 and the German Bf 109F.attacked Malta, such as the Italian SM79 and the German Bf 109F.

The film is based on the true story of Eric Liddle and Harold The film is based on the true story of Eric Liddle and Harold Abrahams  who ran for British and Scottish gold in the 1924 Abrahams  who ran for British and Scottish gold in the 1924

Olympics despite great personal obstacles. It seemed a Olympics despite great personal obstacles. It seemed a triumph of film-making on its 1981 release. In some ways that triumph of film-making on its 1981 release. In some ways that

actually benefits the film as its true age somehow helps its actually benefits the film as its true age somehow helps its 1920s setting but other aspects suffer. The score by 1920s setting but other aspects suffer. The score by

Vangelis, for instance, remains impressive but its electronic Vangelis, for instance, remains impressive but its electronic sound is so obviously 1980s that it jars against the period sound is so obviously 1980s that it jars against the period

detail.detail.Chariots of FireChariots of Fire tells the story of the British triumphs at the 1924  tells the story of the British triumphs at the 1924 Olympics, where the UK representatives took a number of medals Olympics, where the UK representatives took a number of medals

over the heavily-favored Americans. In the film we see many over the heavily-favored Americans. In the film we see many flags, but in the 1920s, the Canadian flag was either the Union flags, but in the 1920s, the Canadian flag was either the Union

Jack or the Canadian Red Ensign. The red maple leaf flag was not Jack or the Canadian Red Ensign. The red maple leaf flag was not introduced until 1965.  We also see a five-striped red-yellow-blue-introduced until 1965.  We also see a five-striped red-yellow-blue-

white-black flag flying next to the US flag in the stadium. white-black flag flying next to the US flag in the stadium. Although this is the correct flag for the Republic of China in 1924, Although this is the correct flag for the Republic of China in 1924,

China did not participate in the Olympics until 1932.China did not participate in the Olympics until 1932.In the first Cambridge scene, set in 1919, passengers are seen on In the first Cambridge scene, set in 1919, passengers are seen on

the railway station's footbridge. In fact, pressure from 19th the railway station's footbridge. In fact, pressure from 19th century Cambridge University leaders opposed to railways led to century Cambridge University leaders opposed to railways led to

special conditions being imposed on the station before it was special conditions being imposed on the station before it was constructed, and one of these was that it must have no constructed, and one of these was that it must have no

footbridges.footbridges.