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SILICON VALLEY, CA-- As we have done for over fifteen years, a few weeks before The CINEQUEST Film And Creativity Festival opens to the public, Cultural World Bilingual reviews the films that are going to be presented during the Festival, but are sent to us for perusal by their filmmakers, PR's or Producers. As we receive them, we review each film. and after reviewed them let the sender know whether or not we consider the film good enough for a written review online in our website. We also let the senders know the reasons why we cannot publish a review of their film online, which may be because of foul language, theme, or just because their film, as presented, does not meet Cultural World Bilingual's guidelines. This year, most of the films that were sent to us met our guidelines. But the reason why we selected MIXTAPE TRILOGY: Stories of the Power of Music, a Documentary for our online review were two: The first reason was the universality of its subject. which is MUSIC, and the second reason, the creative way in which the subject is presented to the audience in the film, which is unique. Some of us know that Music has the power the change the world, but we may learn HOW after watching MIXTAPE TRILOGY Stories of the Power of Music, written by Writer/Producer/Director KATHLEEN ERMITAGE. Masterly edited by film Editor/Co-Producer PETER S. LYNCH, using short clips of films showing concerts of the INDIGO GIRLS (picture above) and interviews, we absorb Music by osmosis, as we learn about the transformation of a Mathematician and Physics scientist to jazz composer and pianist VIJAY IVER, and the theories of Architectural Engineer, who by comparing the composition of music to architecture, encourages his young students to compose songs as a way to express their feelings and feel better. The documentary starts with the a long shot of American folk rock music duo of gay singers from Atlanta Georgia, AMY RAY and EMILY SALIERS known in the music world by the name of INDIGO GIRLS, singing their songs to an audience, of mostly young girls, jumping on the cemented floor of the concert hall as they keep the mark the beats of the folk songs, by clapping their hands over their heads. The long shots showing their concerts is intercut with Medium shots and C.U. of the GIRLS in which both express their philosophy about music, in short statements that we will combine in a single paragraph: "The people who attend our concerts use them as a journey in their own lives". "Music is a unifying experience." "Music could help us understand ourselves." "Music brings together people from all over the world." "Music helps you to the brink of what it is possible" "When we sing, we sing about experiences that we have had" "Our music, and the people who listen to our music is the journey of our lives." The second part of the documentary is dedicated to VIJAY IYER, (Sitting at the piano). Born in Albany and raised in Fairport, New York (a suburb of Rochester) IYER is a Grammy=nominated American Composer, Pianist, band leader, producer and writer based in New York City who has been described as "Social conscience, multimedia collaborator, system builder, rhapsodist, historical thinker and multicultural gateway by The New York Times. IVER theories of Architectural music encouraging his young students to compose songs to express their feeling. The son of Indian Immigrants to the United states, was meant to be a violist. As a boy, he received 15 years of Western classical training in violin from the age of 3, but he began playing piano by ear and was mostly self-taught to play it. He liked science, so he has a B.S. degree in mathematics and Physics from Yale and a M.A from Berkeley where he was pursuing a doctorate in physic, but continued pursuing music and playing in ensembles. In l995, he left the physics department and assembled an interdisciplinary PhD degree program in Technology and the Arts focusing on music cognition. His l998 Dissertation is called: Microstructures of Feel, Macrostructures of Sound: Embodied Cognition in West African and African-American music'. The dissertation embodied cognition and cognition to music of the African Diaspora. As a performer and collaborator with top jazz musicians, IYER is also a multi-award receiver. He received the Mac Arthur Fellowship (2013) the Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, a United States Artists Fellowship, a Grammy nomination, and the Alpert Ward in the Arts. He was also voted Jazz Artist of the Year by Downbeat Magazine's international critics' polls in 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2016. In 2014, He received a lifetime appointment as the Franklin D. and Florence Rosenblatt Professor of the Arts at Harvard University, where is also appointed in both the Department of Music, and the Department of African and African American studies. Influential and prolific, he has shaped his presence in twenty-first Century Music Composer, who has created a consistent innovative resonant body of work over the last twenty-five years, earning him a place as leading music-makers of his generation The third multi gifted artist presented in the documentary is Detroit Michigan MIKE FORD, (Architect) known as an architect, designer, educator who during his years as keynote speaker, his publications and his lectures has been able to fuse his two passion of hip hop culture and architecture, influenced by TALIB's music, created what he calls hip hop Architecture Ford celebrates diversity and urban theory. Hip Hop architecture is appealing to young people, specially young people of color. In his classes to young people, FORD uses a combination of Architecture and Hip Hop music that encourages them to create their own music and express their feelings. FORD is a professor in the architecture program of Madison College. He is also the founder of Brand NU Design and winner of the Spirit of Detroit Award, Detroit City Council, November 20, 2019. . The fourth artist presented in the documentary TALIB KWELI GREENE (hip hop artist, Founder/CEO of Javotti Media, Activist, Author, Member of Black Star with Mos Def) which earned his stripes as one of the most lyrically-gifted socially aware and politically insightful rapper to emerge in the last 20 years. TALIB KWELI GREENE's genius is felt whether working with Mos Def, as one-half of Black Star, part ne ring with producer Hi-Tek for Reflection Eternal, releasing landmark solo material or collaborating with Kayne West, Pharell Williams, Just Blaze, J. Dilla or Madib. TALIB commands attention by delivering top tier lyricism, crafting captivating stories and showing his ability to rhyme over virtually any type of instrumental melodies. For music lovers and for those interested in learning the reason why Music could move the world. MIXTAPE TRILOGY: STORIES OF THE POWER OF MUSIC. Produced by Executive Producers ALAN COGAN, JOHN SCHEINFELD and DAVE HARDING, is a Must-see Documentary at CINEQUEST.
Tickets and Passes for the festival can be purchased at https://www.cinequest.org/.
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