Reel Life, Real Ideas: Movies and more…

Sigur Rós’ concert film Heima plays this weekend (April 18-20) at the Vancity Theatre @ 7:15pm and 9:30pm

Heima is Icelandic for “at home” and watching this movie is a cozy, beautiful place to be, especially in the posh Film Centre’s seats.

This film is worth slowing down for. For me, it started slow; I took a song to get into it and then was mesmerized by the combination of music and cinematography. I must admit I didn’t know a thing about Sigur Rós but now understand them to be a group of very talented, humble musicians that have created a unique place within popular music…they seem worthwhile knowing and it was an enjoyable way to meet them.

The premise of the film is that Sigur Rós (and Amiina) are giving free concerts around Iceland as a way of giving back to their kin. Of course, they made a film out of this free tour, so it obviously wasn’t all give. In any case, they set a high standard for musicians (or anyone) that care about their friends and family; for a band that seems to be so popular and successful, it’s more than refreshing.

The setting makes this film gorgeous, even without the artistic stagings and lightings of the various concerts. Iceland still seems to have so much land in a wild state; I wonder if motorized vehicles really have as little presence as they do in the film or if the film makers consciously chose to remove them.

The band even makes a statement - albeit a feeble one - about the destruction of our planet when they divert their tour to include a protest camp at a new dam site that is to make electricity for a new aluminum smelter by flooding a vast, wild plain. If only they had read Derrick Jensen’s writings! To the filmmaker’s credit, the simultaneous statement by the wind/land/planet IS included.

Throughout, the film stays true to its name, creating a cozy atmosphere where children and dogs roam free to explore the different stages. It’s seductive musicality is definitely worth watching - I’ve never seen a rock marimba before!

For more info or to buy tickets online, visit http://www.vifc.org/

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).