It's a matter of tasteMay 23, 2017

A much-publicized event like the Cannes Film Festival would be a good opportunity to make a statement, and far-right culture minister Miri Regev more than exceeded her goal. She wore a full-skirted white A-line dress on the red carpet, where designer Aviad Arik Herma made a bold print of Jerusalem's walls rising from the hem.

“This year we are celebrating 50 years since the liberation and reunification of Jerusalem," the minister said.

She wouldn't like the reaction in Twitter, where one user pointed out that 370,000 Palestinians have been living in Jerusalem. The figure would be nearly half of the city's total population. Some reaction could provoke responses, like altering the design. Think of the (Israeli) separation wall instead of the skyline. How about flames (burning over the skyline)? What might be the most offensive version would be a bomb exploding in Gaza.

Regev might have been thinking about asking the organisers about a retrospective on Israeli Cinema. Think of a coming-of-age tale of a young girl whose mother lost her sanity due to the Holocaust. How about a member of a younger generation confronting the post-Holocaust era? Last but not the least, a film by Joseph Cedar. ("A Time of Favor" was a compelling love triangle with the terrorist conflict in the West Bank as backdrop.) The organisers could upheld fair play (and include "Paradise Now" in the mix). But there would be more pressing matters. (The jury, presided by Pedro Almodóvar, issued a statement about the threat of Netflix. They would prefer the public to go to theaters, but ticket price could be a sensitive topic.) The minister made her not-so-subtle statement, and many people noticed it. Expect more to follow.

Much ado about nothing

What was Chanel thinking when it decided to create a fashionable boomerang? One news writer thought it was poor taste, pointing out that it was a sacred object among the Aborigines. Imagine the fascinating figures that could be carved in boomerang, she noted. It should represent the rich heritage, if not the storied past, of Australia. And it would be cheaper than the $2,000 price tag that Chanel put into it.

Those who would fancy an out-of-this-world (fashion) statement would be tempted to purchase one. What could they do about it? For one, it would draw attention during a fashion show. Lengthy responses in social media could result to a news headline. It should be an effective marketing strategy. On a personal note, a boomerang would be one way to kill the time. It should compliment a Halloween costume. (Batman and Robin fans, take note of this one.) To sum it up, the Chanel boomerang is a great accessory. It won't compliment a handbag from another fashion house, though. There's a good chance that it may be left behind (and forgotten) during a party. After all, it's too big to fit into a pocket.

Here's a good suggestion: Invite your mates for a backyard gathering. They must come from high places. Prepare beer and grilled barbecue. Get ready to play backyard cricket or do the boomerang. The neighbors couldn't ignore it.

Read all articles→