The Jazz Baroness - Hannah Rothschild-Director

Tuesday, October 6, 2009 - Van City Theatre

Narrated by Helen Mirren, this is Hannah Rothschild's story of her great aunt's (Pannonica Rothschild) relationship with Jazz and Thelonious Monk. Meeting in Paris in 1954, their 'meeting of like minds' continued for 28 years until his death. From a very wealthy family, and married to a Diplomat, Pannonica left her life-style and family to support the musical genius, Monk. She provided a home and funding for other famous musicians, including Charlie Parker. She was truly an independent woman who pursued her passion. She was also a fighter for civil rights and for vulnerable artists whose talents were well worth nurturing. The story of Pannonica and Thelonious is further described by Thelonious Monk Jr., Quincy Jones and Clint Eastwood. Pannonica's letters detail the relationship, the times and her continuous connection with her children. This film packs a lot in 83 minutes! PS. The music is fabulous!

The Search - Xunzhoo Zhimei Gengdeng-Tibet

This is the second movie to be made inside Tibet, by an all Tibetan crew and cast. It is extremely difficult to get past the Chinese censors and so this one took longer to make and to produce. It is a love story on many levels: the long distance romance, the unreturned love, the love of theatre, music and culture of Tibet and the love of film as a vehicle to express all of this. The children and young people, especially the singers and actors, all non-professionals, shine. I like the main story teller who keeps fellow passengers entertained as they accompany the director in his search across the country for actors for a classical Tibetan opera Drime Kunden. The story teller's tale of his first love and how she ended up marrying someone else, is the story of how things don't always turn out as expected. Although love is everyone's dream, it is full of obstacles, much like those encountered when trying to stage the perfect opera. This is well worth seeing but could have benefitted from some editing as it is very long.

Japan Film Night

On Tuesday, September 29th, the Consulate of Japan hosted two films: Women in the mirror and The Stars Converge. Women in the Mirror, by Kagami no Onna Tachi, tells the story of a woman who never gives up searching for her lost daughter and finds one who could be her but is suffering from Amnesia. The woman and her granddaughter are profoundly affected by the amnesiac, who enters their lives only to disappear again. Secrets from the past emerge: Who is the daughter's father and why was she so enraged when she first left home? How did Hiroshima shape their future? This film is powerful on many levels, especially in terms of relationships and history's effects on them.

The Stars Converge, by Chirusoku no Natsu, is about a first love relationship between a Japanese and a Korean. Young high-school athletes meet and fall in love. Will this love endure despite the obstacles of cultural and language differences, academic futures, familial opposition...? Energy, friendship and possibility make this film worth watching.