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SFFILM Festival

The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble

Directed by Morgan Neville

USA | 96

3 May
Tue, May 3, 2016 at 6:30 pm PT

Description

An infectious street concert opens this buoyant musical journey, the story of renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and his Silk Road Ensemble, a collective of the world’s greatest musicians. Initially drawn from the Central Asian “Silk Road” countries and regions of China, India, Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, the composition of the group eventually broadened to include talents from all over the globe. As Oscar®-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville (Twenty Feet from Stardom, SFIFF 2013; Best of Enemies, SFIFF 2015) frames it, the Silk Road Ensemble arose out of Yo-Yo Ma’s quest to uncover Leonard Bernstein’s theoretical “universal language of music,” and to identify and cultivate the intersections between cultures where harmony connects disparity. Formed in 2000 in the Berkshires, this ensemble may have only existed as a one-off project, but the events of 9/11 motivated the musicians to keep it going and in order to continue to inspire compassion, creativity, understanding and unity despite political conflicts. Featuring archival footage from Ma’s career, including his performance as a seven-year-old prodigy in front of President Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline, this discerning and joyous documentary includes many of the backstories of the fascinating ensemble members: Damascus-born clarinetist Kinan Azmeh; Iranian exile and acclaimed kamancheh player, Kayhan Kalhor; Wu Man, master of the Chinese stringed instrument, the pipa; and the exuberant Spanish bagpiper Cristina Pato, known as “the Jimi Hendrix of Galicia.” —Leah LoSchiavo

Director Morgan Neville

Oscar®-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville has documented many stories of the music, art and intellectual worlds, including Muddy Waters: Can’t Be Satisfied, Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story, Johnny Cash’s America, The Cool School, Twenty Feet From Stardom (SFIFF 2013) and Best of Enemies (SFIFF 2015).

Film Details

Language English

Year 2015

Runtime 96

Country USA

Director Morgan Neville

Producer Morgan Neville, Caitrin Rogers

Editor Jason Zeldes, Helen Kearns

Cinematographer Graham Willoughby