In Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, a highly strong-minded
independent woman who makes her living as a hairdresser, pig farmer, musician
and more insists that she learn puppetry from a man who is a master. They
retrieve old objects, including puppet remains and turn things into puppets.
A
short 14-minute film that does not give the entire story or show for that matter. But it speaks loads about hope and creativity and the power of imagination.
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.
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
ART IN THE 21st CENTURY****
Directors are
many in this 4-part TV PBS series that started in 2001. The fascinating up
close testimonies and presentations of art explores various innovative artists
as they explain their philosophies and show their art. It focuses on artists in
four different cities: Mexico City, Chicago, Vancouver and Los Angeles. These artists
choose totally subversive ways to distinctly express their visions and talents as they attempt to overthrow staid conventions
and restrictions that society imposes. Both photos display works by Mr. Ortega (FIFA presentation).
a work by Mexican artist, Damian Ortega |
Monday, March 27, 2017
THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE (Directed by Lone Scherfig) *****
An amazing film that once again shows the power of goodness over evil. The brilliant acting of Jessica Chastain is undeniable.
Sunday, March 26, 2017
BROKEN (Directed by Lynne Spencer) *****
Simone
Orlando, a magnificent principal dancer with ballet BC is about to discover
Saturday, March 25, 2017
BRAILLE MUSIC (Directed by Michael House) *****
An
intensely fascinating look into the development of Braille as six blind
musicians bring to life the poem “Hope” written by Emily Dickinson. The
director travels to Paris and England to uncover the various schools
that invented systems of reading for the blind. Valentin HaĆ¼y was the founder, in 1784, of the first school for the blind, the
Royal Institution for the Young Blind in Paris.
In 1819, Louis Braille attended the prestigious
institute.
We meet all the artists and
witness them talk about the effects of being a blind musician, and how the
technological advances of Braille allow for inter-global sharing of music via
the Internet and Braille music. The
immense legacy of Braille culminates in a work written by the clarinettist in
the group in honour of the master. They learn the piece and record it the same
day. This film is in 4 “bars” explores the development of teaching music to the
blind, (House travels to discover how this started and where it ended up);
meeting blind piano tuners, meeting the musicians, and following the challenges
each has to bring “Hope” to its musical recording. An excellent documentary
that all should see, and hopefully it will be transposed into Braille so that
the blind can actually hear and “watch” this film too. (Screened at FIFA).
Friday, March 24, 2017
BUSTER KEATON, UN GĆNIE BRISĆ PAR HOLLYWOOD (Directed by Jean-Baptiste PĆ©retiĆ©) *****
What a genius! His fluid movements, acrobatic antics
incorporating trains, cars, falls out of windows and so much more mark Keaton as
a perennial mime treasure. But when he abandoned his own production company
that had unparalleled success to go to the giant Hollywood machine of Louis B.
Mayer, he falls on hard times. He eventually is fired from Mayer’s company and
becomes an alcoholic. If only he had not
caved over to the wrong side, who knows how long his creative genius would have
impacted on us. A great film with oodles of clips from his films, including
home movies. (Screened at FIFA)
UNE MAISON, UN ARTISTE – VICTOR HUGO, UNE ĆLE POUR EXIL (Directed by FranƧois ChayĆ©) **
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 dƩcor 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).
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