“The Red Violin” tracks a priceless violin over three centuries
Music and history take center stage in “The Red Violin,”
A precious instrument makes its way through history in "The Red Violin."
Directed by Francois Girard (“Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould”), “The Red Violin” traces a precious violin from its creation by a grief-stricken instrument maker in 17th century Italy to an auction house in modern Montreal. Over 300 years, the violin passes through the hands of a brilliant young prodigy in 18th century Vienna, a Victorian nobleman (Jason Flemyng), a Chinese political officer (Sylvia Chang) during the Cultural Revolution, and a Canadian antiques appraiser (Samuel L. Jackson).
A lush, moving film, “The Red Violin” pairs a globe-spanning story with an Academy Award-winning classical score composed by composer John Corigliano and played by violinist Joshua Bell.
Corgliano’s violin concerto is also the focus of Festival Mozaic’s grand finale concert, July 24 at the Cuesta College Cultural and Performing Arts Center.
“The Red Violin” screens at 7:15 p.m. Thursday at Galaxy Theatres, located at the intersection of El Camino Real and Highway 41 in Atascadero. The evening includes a wine reception starting at 6:30 p.m. and an introduction by Festival Mozaic music director Scott Yoo.
Tickets are $15 apiece, with proceeds benefiting Festival Mozaic and the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call (805)781-3009 or visit Festival Mozaic online.
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Also on Thursday, it’s Teen Movie Night at the Los Osos Library.
The seventh film in the popular fantasy series based on J.K. Rowling’s books, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” finds teen wizard Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) on a desperate mission to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes in the hopes of defeating evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). The story continues July 15 with “Part 2.”
The free screening, complete with popcorn, starts at 6 p.m. at the Los Osos library, 2075 Palisades Ave. in Los Osos.
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The San Luis Obispo City-County Library’s dystopian screening series continues Saturday with “Metropolis.”
A sterling example of German Expressionism, Fritz Lang’s ground-breaking science fiction film takes place in a futuristic city divided between the downtrodden workers and the aristocratic city planners.
The conflict comes to a head when the son of the city’s founder, Freder Frederson (Gustav Fröhlich) falls in love with working class prophet Maria (Brigitte Helm).
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