Drums will fill the foyer of the Powell River Recreation Complex with lively beats on the second evening of the Powell River Film Festival. Chopstixx, local drumming group of Jonathan Gordon, Alex Bjoernson, Elijah Carson, Wyatt Dunlop, Malcolm McDonald and Andreas David, will warm up the theatre crowd for the film to come starting at 6 pm on Friday, February 18.
A Drummer’s Dream, directed by Canada’s well-loved director John Walker, is a treat for all. Explosive talent, passion, humour and irresistible personality come together in a magical setting when seven diverse drummers create a profound and unforgettable experience. Featuring Nasyr Abdul Al-Khabyyr, Dennis Chambers, Kenwood Dennard, Horacio “El-Negro” Hernadez, Giovanni Hidalgo, Mike Mangini and Raul Rekow, the film engages audiences with rich music styles and influences that are as dynamic as the performers themselves. The creative and spiritual freedom of expression these artists display is overwhelming, from Latin rhythms to wildly original compositions of Dennard. Rock, jazz, Latin fusion, soul, these master drummers have backed up the likes of Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Carlos Santana and now each other.
At the film’s centre is warm-hearted Al-Khabyyr, and his musician friends who share their knowledge with 40 students for this incredible, unforgettable week of music and camaraderie. The overriding philosophy of these musicians is driven by love, compassion and joy of life. At the end of the film viewers will be tapping rhythms that live within all and the positive energy these mast ers display will continue to pulse through bodies for days to come.
During the reception that follows, from 8:15 to 8:45 pm, Hardbeat Trio will present a special performance on three drum sets. Director Carl Bessai will then present his film Fathers & Sons, and answer questions afterward.
From its bawdy, tender, tragic and hilarious opening scene, Bessai has created a comedy-drama that takes both avenues to their furthest extremes—a cathartic, bittersweet, very intimate look at love and anger across the generation gap. Following four different stories involving middle-aged men and their fathers, jumping between different cultures, careers, sexualities and sensibilities, the film addresses class, character and destiny, with money defining terms of relationships to a disturbing but realistic degree. It takes skill and commitment to split a movie among so many characters without losing out on depth, detail and drama. Bessai and his cast of Vancouver favourites pull it off with panache and unwavering conviction, giving a delicate balance eliciting guffaws and sympathy in equal measure. Faced with 10 strong, idiosyncratic characters and all their follies, the filmmakers opt for empathy over condescension every time, creating a warm, heartfelt film.
Tickets and passes are available online, and at Breakwater Books and Coffee, 6812A Alberni Street; Coast Realty, 4766B Joyce Avenue; Armitage Mens Wear, Town Centre Mall; and the film festival office, 201A 7373 Duncan Street. For more information readers can call 604.485.0325, extension 224, or visit the festival
.
Calling all local filmmakers
Powell River Film Festival is launching its first ever 24-Hour Film Contest. The contest is open to everyone and to teams of any size (even if it’s just a one-person crew). When the whole crew registers at River City Coffee (4871 Joyce in Crossroads Village Shopping Centre) on Saturday, February 5, with the entry fee of $10 cash, a prop to include in the film will be given out. The clock starts at 10 am, but teams can register anytime between 9:30 to 10:30 am.
Films can be up to 3 minutes long. Prizes will include free film festival tickets and a cash prize of half the entry fees, so the more entries, the more cash. Entries will be judged by local media professionals. As well as craft awards (for best directing, cinematography, et cetera), there will be an audience choice award. Filmmakers are encouraged to bring friends to enjoy the films and noisily cast their vote.
Contest winners, along with short films created by youth in the Adventures in Film Camp will have their films screened at 1 pm on Sunday, February 20 at Patricia Theatre. For more information readers can contact the
at 604.485.0325, extension 224.
