A great writer – Victor Hugo, but most don’t know that in
May 1856, he fled Paris in search of peace and freedom. In Guernsey, he bought
a stunning house and renovated it. The décor was full of antiques; walls were
laden with tapestries and paintings and sculptures were in every nook. Dark and
full of oak, the house became his inspirational spot for writing. He looked out
at the seaside town and eventually responded to the poverty other than through his
writing. He took in children and started a school. Hugo was a fascinating
genius; his legacy lives on through his writing and this museum house. The film
did not explain how he amassed his fortune, where he got these antiques, nor anything
much about his writings. (Screened at
FIFA).
This site will point you to places you've never been to before. You'll also be introduced to films (ratings from 1- 5), festivals, music, getaways travel, restaurants and much more. Commentaries and amusing anecdotes may pop up. I really welcome your comments at the bottom of each article. So join me on the ride into the rugged and the luxurious. We all need to discover open borders in the world and in ourselves. S.N.
Friday, March 24, 2017
Thursday, March 23, 2017
LE VIOLONISTE DEBOUT (Directed by Sabastien Ventura)
The
brilliant Montreal violinist, Alexandre Da Costa return to Vienna to play with
the string section of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. He is a super talent who
has performed all over Europe. At the age of 35, we learn about his dedication
to his 1727 Stradivarius violin. We hear him talk about his reinterpretations
of works by the masters and watch how he bonds musically with the string
section. His ambition and clarity of where he wants to go with his own career
is most impressive. (Screened at FIFA)
FEMMES ARTISTES (Directed by Claudia Müller) ***
Katharina Grosse goes around the environment putting huge splotches of
paint everywhere. Even her bed is not excluded from being painted.
Filmmaker
introduces us to several female artists whose work is on the cutting edge of
surrealism and absurdism. Grosse recreates mini-mock ups of some of these
artists works inside a small doll-house type wall. These women are radically
inventive and most courageous. (Screened
at FIFA)
MALI BLUES (Directed by Lutz Gregor) *****
MALI BLUES presents four exceptional musicians who, with their music, fight for a new awakening in Africa. These are the musicians in the diaspora. They recount their personal angst, their own amazing stories of courage and the will to fight radical Islamism and those who hate.
Fatoumata Diawara – AfroPop’s shooting star, who tells in her singer/songwriter ballads of life as an African woman, and of obsolete tradition. One touching scene is when she returns to her village in mail and sings to a group of women about the horrors of female circumcision.
Bassekou Kouyaté – the griot and Grammy-nominated world musician integrates traditional African instruments into modern rock music.
Ahmed Ag Kaedi – his rough and rocking Tuareg guitar riffs tell of a longing for the desert.
Master Soumy – the rap singer, voice of Mali’s young generation, whom corrupt politicians listen to alike.
(Screened at FIFA)
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
WHO IS ODA JAUNE (Directed by Kamilla Pfeffer) ****
A close up intense interview with artist Oda Jaune. She paints women in rather grotesque poses and mutilated features. She’s an interesting woman whose art is truly exceptional.
Honest and gentle, Jaune remains true to her feelings and her own mysterious
process of painting. She is preparing for a Paris exhibition. She is a successful painter. (Screened at
FIFA)
LINE BY LINE (Directed by Hauke Harder & Viola Rusche) *
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