Tuesday, March 2, 2010

grandly simple

I had seen the film Ashes and Snow mentioned here and there in
the blog world, but had never actually watched it, until last week,
when my dear friend Lorenzo surprised me with my very own copy.
As I opened the box, I could tell by the DVD cover, that this was no
ordinary film. The disc was packaged in a special brown cover,
handmade in Nepal, and sealed with natural beeswax. It was tied
with thread stained with tea leaves and a pretty little red bead.

When I popped the disc into the player, I wasn't quite sure what to
expect, as I settled down into my favorite corner of my TV viewing
nest. I was gently drawn into a languid pool of soft sepia. The
exquisite photography was paired with simple music, and the rich
voice of Laurence Fishburne, periodically reciting a man's touching
letters to his wife.


I was completely swallowed up by this magnificent work of art. This
was not just a movie; it was a spiritual experience. I can't remember
being this moved by art, since I saw the Frida Kahlo exhibit. I was
transfixed by its poetry; I couldn't move, much less laugh or cry.

The 60 minute film is the creation of Gregory Colbert, a Canadian
born photographer and filmmaker, who traveled on expeditions to
India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya and many more to
document the incredible interactions between humans and animals.
Ashes and Snow attracted over 10 million visitors in NYC, Santa
Monica, Tokyo and Mexico City, making it the most attended
exhibition by a living artist in history.


I now have a new remedy for stress. I can pop in this ethereal piece
and watch it whenever I need to be transported to another world.
Thank you, dear friend. You knew I would swoon from the beauty.
My woolly socks were blown completely away.

44 comments:

  1. wow, my socks are blown off reading your review and watching the trailer. off to find out to procure a copy!!

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  2. So glad the little gift had the desired effect, willow. I have not been able to bring myself to say a single word about Colbert's film, such is its spellbinding and almost overpowering beauty. Pure poetry.

    I like how you have titled this: "grandly simple". The simple is so difficult to achieve in art and poetry. Colbert worked on this for 12 years. A major talent, a great artist.

    And a heartfelt gift for a dear deserving friend.

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  3. I must say this is going to be one of those few that I will have to get and watch, soon, somehow.

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  4. Wow! If that brief 6 minute clip is any indication, that's some movie! I have Baraka, and this reminds me of that movie.

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  5. I am very much looking forward to watching this. Sounds like a delightful and amazing film.

    Thanks, Willow. And thanks, Lorenzo.

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  6. I've never heard of this . . . but your review was thrilling. I wonder if Amazon carries it?

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  7. The packaging alone sounds terrific! I'll look for this!

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  8. wow thats a big call! must be very special for sure

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  9. Looks amazing tho I don't know if I could sit through it. That one little clip seemed a bit too long. I'd have to watch it in stages. It's funny, I can focus on my own work for hours but have a hard time sitting through an hour long show on TV.

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  10. Thanks, Willow, even that six minutes has me completely relaxed. It is magic; a wonderful gift. Hope I can find a source.

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  11. Mmmm... I'd heard of this, but *now* I have to see it! Thank you for this wonderful recommendation.

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  12. Hubby happened to be in the same room when I watched the video here and we were both transfixed. We told each other this would be something to give to each other with love. It is beautiful.

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  13. WOW! spiritually sublime...smiles.

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  14. I think I heard this discussed on NPR. I know it is not on Netflix cause I will have to check Amazon too. Thanks
    QMM

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  15. Absolutely stunning! The calm interaction between man and beast here is something I've never seen.
    The music is like the sounds of the earth and I agree, it's very soothing.

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  16. Thank you for reminding me about this...I remember when the exhibit was in NYC in 2005 and I saw a different clip and was just blown away by the simplicity of the film, and how everything came together to just make me sigh with awe and pleasure

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  17. I still can't believe that I missed this show when it came here, but my son saw it and still talks about it. Thanks for the heads up about the movie -- I'm going to try to find a copy. Beautiful post, Willow -- it's always wonderful to read of someone's rapture over art in this crazy, crazy world!

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  18. I was absolutely mesmerized. I really must have this film for exactly the same reasons you mentioned. Thank you for sharing, Willow. Incredible!

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  19. Oh, I have heard of that film! I'll have to try to find it. What a wonderful surprise and thoughtful gift! That sounds like a real treasure. Thanks for the notes on this film, Willow (and Lorenzo!)

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  21. wow.. I think even the color scheme is soothing!...

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  22. Oh wow! Your beautiful review really makes me want to see the movie.

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  23. Oooooh, it took my breath away, such haunting images and peaceful music. I need to own this for my own reflection.

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  24. "I now have a new remedy for stress. I can pop in this ethereal piece
    and watch it whenever I need to be transported to another world."

    I'm thinking I might enjoy this - the way you described the packaging offers an invitation to beauty.

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  25. You've piqued my interest! Thanks for the review -

    btw, another piece you recommended some time ago, Days of Heaven, I finally watched this evening..thank you for the tip! What a beautiful film --I might, perhaps, have written the ending a bit differently, but each scene is a treasure...

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  26. Not much more to say, Willow. A captivating clip of what must be an intriguing movie.

    Bisou, Cro.

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  27. Like Lorenzo's comment here, willow, I would have profound difficulty remarking on this film...the visual space and tactile impression- at times liquid and light, like a silky curtain blown across your face- and the sound compellingly pulls at your heart...thanks for sharing this poetic moment.

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  28. I had read about this film before but I'm glad a close bloggy friend has finally watched it. Many thanks for that glorious review. I will be ordering it from LoveFilms, our equivalent of your Netflix. And by the way, that comment about the mezzo soprano voice? Only you could have made it. :-) I was totally unaware of that fact. Many thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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  29. How lovely to get something like this out of the blue, completely unheralded.

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  31. willow thankyou for this. i had heard of this film but hadn't had the fortune of seeing it until i watched the trailer here and read your words. it's one of the great gifts of the bloggy world is the sharing of insight, knowledge and experiences without expectation or condition. so thankyou! steven

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  33. Boy, you can see that I have not been by in a while. This is a whole new look! I never heard of ashes and snow. Not quite sure that it is up my alley!

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  34. First, thank you for the opportunity you present to us on Tuesdays...
    and now, for reminding me that I too can partake of this transcendence when things are crazy in the world!

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  35. Hello Willow,

    The clip certainly has a soothing quality and I loved the singing voice. I think it would be ideal to dip into and escape.

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  36. WOW...you've started my Wednesday morning off with a gentle tear and a yearning...

    Thanks Willow...s

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  37. Seductively lures me into the magical world of the Serengeti (?). I will definitely look into this film. Is the director Colbert related to the infamous Steven? Yeah! Another Canuck makes gold!

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  38. Somehow I had never heard of this movie...I'm so glad I have heard of it here...I would not want to have missed this...

    That Lorenzo is special!

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  39. Oh isn't it just sublime? In fact, like Lorenzo, there are no words to describe this work. I haven't seen the complete film, only used the interactive website - which is just as soothing and absorbing. Everything fades away, and this world of Colbert becomes the true world.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)