Search - Stravinsky - Le Sacre du Printemps / Oliver Hermann film, Simon Rattle, Berlin Philharmonic on DVD

An Experimental Film Worth Seeing But Not Owning

M. F TERRIS | Miami, FL USA | 09/11/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Oliver Herrman's film, Le Sacre du Printemps, is what it is subtitled: "A Silent Film to the Music of Igor Stravinsky." It is NOT the ballet. This sureal film is highly creative and innovative. The camera work is superb and the acting consistently good. Its shots are extremely well-cut to the music, and Rattle/the Berlin Philharmonic deliver a first rate performance of the music. The film is about the neurotic lives of three individuals created by a Goddess-Mother in her Cuban-style kitchen; they are among the inhabitants a modern, unidentified city.

However, please note that the film, itself, is only 38 minutes long. The rest of the disc just contains filler -- fairly boring interviews, with the exception of some of Sir Simon's comments. Neither my wife nor I were much moved by Herrmann's film, and we could not identify with any of the characters. While "interesting" in its own way, this is hardly the sort of film I would want to see more than twice, much less than every time I listen to Le Sacre. Only buy this DVD if you are a devotee of innovative cinematic techniques, not because you are (like me) a lover of Stravinsky's music, much less to be involved in a human story.
"

Somewhat interesting, but ....

Bert Polman | 10/05/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"While the soundtrack for this DVD is Stravinsky's famous ballet score called "Le Sacre du Printempts" [The Rite of Spring], the film is not the ballet story at all, except possibly for some common theme of redemption. The film plot is a rather different, surreal story, somewhat interesting, but hardly as compelling as Stravinsky's own ballet plot. If you're looking for Stravinsky's music with a ballet performance, this is NOT it. I wish someone would do the real ballet on DVD! This DVD may be interesting only for some film buffs."

Excellent

rb | rb | 08/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this story is mainly about educating kids. most of the interviewed children are coming from dyfunctional families, living in the under-class-scum areas of berlin, f.e. long-term unemployed parents,drug-problemes, refugees from all over this planet etc. these youngsters have no visons, no goals, no ideas about their future. taking part in dancing with highly motivated people like sir simon rattle changed their lives forever, because it showed them they they have a future and that this future lies in their own hands. this is a very moving story about showing yong people that there is more in life then having fun, hanging around, using drugs and destroying their lives."

Great work put to mediocre film

J. Brennan | Louisville, KY | 01/08/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I checked this DVD out of the public library, because I have recently heard "Le Sacre du Printemps" and fell in love with the piece. I have listened to it a dozen times. So, upon locating this DVD, I had to see how it was put to screen. I was mildly shocked, baffled, and disappointed. I watched it 3 times - trying to see if my initial reaction remained. Ok, eventually I grasped the storyline (with the aid of the DVD booklet). To comment on another review here: There was naked dancing; As for the "gang rape" or "prostitution" - the female character participated in these sexual acts of her own will. She was not raped and did not charge for them. She was acting out due to abuse as a child from her father (also in booklet).
As for the rest of the film - bizzare, not fluid with the music (as I had hoped), and as other reviewers pointed out - not worth owning and needs a parental advisory.
If one wishes to visually teach children about "Le Sacre du Printemps" - get a DVD of the ballet. I would like to have a CD of this recording of Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Simon Rattle.
In conclusion: if you can borrow or rent this odd little film - watch it and see what you think. As a supporter of Independant/Experimental film, I applaud Oliver Hermann's daring effort; even though it wasn't to my taste."