The Music of Strangers (G) ***

High Note!

Do make Vancouver’s Park Theatre your destination to check out The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Ensemble. Watch in awe as this humble New Yorker over a 16 year period brings together some of the world’s most vibrant musicians In a truly unique project.

Our director here isJohn Neville. You May not know the name but this classy filmmaker shed a bright light  on back up singers in his inspirational 20 Feet From Stardom a few years back. Now the darling of unique musical documentaries turns his considerable talents on a group of world musicians not afraid to speak out. And stand out they do!

Born out of an idea from Yo-Yo Ma The Music of Strangers really is all about peace. Somehow Ma cobbled together a group of very talented individuals from various parts of the world. Two things they have in common: tremendous musical talent and accomplishments and a desire to better the world by using music as a bridge to peace and way to overcome problems. How noble is that!

Off we go on a bit of a travelogue intertwined with bits of history to such hot spots as Tehran, Syria and Beijing plus Spain as some very noble musicians/statesmen explain what inspired them to take up an instrument and how local cultures and governments reacted.

Great music jives with tender heart-warming and heart-breaking tales to make The Music of Strangers a truly uplifting and engaging film.

By Alan Samuel