A Concerto Is a Conversation (2021)
A Concerto Is a Conversation
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Why watch this film?
Kris Bowers is a highly acclaimed jazz pianist who has also started to gain traction in the film industry by composing movie soundtracks - most notably, 'Green Book'. Here, the musician leads a short film about his family, his existence. Throughout 13 minutes, he tries to understand where he came from, comprehend his origins and, perhaps, know better how he got there. To do so, Bowers relies on a conversation with his 91-year-old grandfather, entirely told in this Oscar-nominated short. There is sensitivity here, as if the filmmaker and composer were making the film as a last way to cling to his origins - after all, the elder is suffering from cancer and advanced age. It is beautiful to see the relationship between the two on screen and how the grandfather, especially, has affection for his grandson. It's a shame, however, that Bowers and co-director Ben Proudfoot bet on an exaggerated artificiality in some moments, especially when grandpa and grandson are talking. The way of filming and the lack of rhythm of the editing make the short "frozen", little affective. Still, 'A Concerto is a Conversation' is an emotional short, which should make many shed some tears. Available to watch for free on YouTube, with English subtitles.
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Plot summary
A virtuoso jazz pianist and film composer tracks his family's lineage through his 91-year-old grandfather from Jim Crow Florida to the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
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