Audrey Hepburn and Social Capital

At first I know her as an icon of people growing up in the 60s, but I am too young for that. Until recently I got to watch her movies and know a little more about her than big eyes and bony face.

Love in the Afternoon, Roman Holiday, My Fair Lady, How to Steal a Million, and Breakfast at Tiffany's; watched in that order. When I thought she could only do the elegant naive princess, there is the vulgar poor girl in My Fair Lady impressing everyone with her almost primitive, untamed strength. Yet no less adorable, desirable, lovable.

Contrary to the strength of Katherine Hepburn which comes from intellect and reasoning, Audrey Hepburn demonstrates the qualities that summon the good old days: innocence, trust, simplicity, faith in humanity. She opens up for strangers and the chance meetings all turn out to be a memorable encounter if not more. In almost each of the movies we see her wash her hair, brush her teeth, in pajama, ear plugs and blindfold. We as the audiences are not the only one who sees it; she does that in someone's presence in the scenes. She is unarmed... with make-up though.

I am doing readings about "social capital" for my thesis. Put in plain English, social capital is the trust among people that can be used to reduce cost by avoiding unnecessary conflict, or enhance productivity by cooperation and sharing. That's what Audrey Hepburn stands for: to overcome the social disguise, appeal to common decency, and come to a true connection.

A dream of everyone: harmony and reconciliation with the universe. In Chinese it can be expressed as "天人合一": sky/people/unite/one, meaning: the universe and the people are united as one. That's the ideal and here is the reality: Do the Katherine Hepburn thing every now and then but spare a place for Audrey Hepburn, in case the Eden is found.

who were so dark at heart they might not speak
a little innocence will make them sing

--e.e. cummings

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