Reel Life, Real Ideas: Movies and more…

It’s becoming obvious to me that since I’ve become a parent, my life lens has changed dramatically. That fact, combined with my complete ignorance of Nirvana’s history allowed me to see Kurt Cobain: About a Son as a surprising source of inspiration and insight. A well crafted montage of Pacific Northwest images and video front a collection of audio interviews of Nirvana’s lead singer and songwriter. Kurt starts at his beginning and offers many compliments and criticisms of his parents, as well as insights into life as a teenager. The interviews were recorded within a year of his death, when he was still only 26 and clearly connected to his teenaged years.

One stand-out moment for me was his revelation that his father just “gave up”… Alice Miller’s work has shown that significant childhood experiences reoccur in some form. While Kurt’s father didn’t commit suicide, he simply left his son’s life; Kurt’s daughter Francis also no longer has a father.

Nirvana fans will undoubtedly flock to this Vancouver Premiere; my hope is that many other parents also find this film to be an inspiration to constantly stay connected with our children, no matter what.

At the Pacific Cinémathèque (1131 Howe Street, in Downtown Vancouver), it runs from January 3rd to 7th and Jan 9th, with shows every night at 7:30pm (except Sunday, when it shows @ 9:25; Saturday also has a 2nd showing at 9:25pm).