Humanities Information


The Red Violin - Film Review


The film portrays the creation, fate, and redemption of a father's legacy to his unborn child: a violin. Nicola Bussoti, a master violin craftsman, has created the "most perfect acoustic machine," in hope of his unborn son to be a great musician. Anna, Bussoti's wife, seeks knowledge about her future through an old woman, and her ability to foresee her fate with Tarot cards. The old woman makes five predictions about Anna's future: she will travel, there will be mountains and forests; there will be sickness everywhere she goes; she will meet with a man: the devil itself; and finally the rebirth: she will be desired amongst people, where her journey will come to an end. Bussoti's wife dies, taking with her their unborn child. This event will move Nicola Bussoti to finish his creation, varnishing the violin with her wife's blood.

The red violin arises as a symbol of Ana's life and the prophecies predicted by the old woman. During the first story, when the violin finds its way to the hands of a young orphan in Austria, it seems an easy assertion that the instrument will bring death or disgrace to whoever plays it. However, a more detailed interpretation of the second prophecy-sickness will go everywhere you go-and the subsequent visions, wash away this concept. The red violin is not a carrier of disgrace, but the greed and passion of its bearers.

Although confusing on the beginning, when we see Frederick Pope fall for the enchantment of the violin, it is not this last one that seals his fate. The violin does not lead him to suicide. His demise is consequence of his own acts and decisions, as well as his Chinese servant's influence. The violin will find its way to China, where it will almost be destroyed by Mao Tse Tung's cultural prosecution. It will be kept safe by Xian Pei's high school music teacher. Neither fate nor disgrace falls upon these two characters, but only the inevitable lapse of time.

The violin finally arrives to Montreal to be appraised and auctioned: "you will be desired," said the old woman to Anna, "your journey will come to an end." Charles Morritz carries the task to authenticate the violin's precedence and craftsman. Mr. Morritz will immediately sense the true value of this object.

Is the violin a symbol of Anna's life, extended through centuries, or a supernatural object carrying her fate? Are the old woman's prophecies a curse, or a vision into Anna's future? Evidently, the film transfigures Bussoti's wife and her life into the stories depicted with the red violin. The blood covering this instrument symbolizes what Anna had left to experience, and the redemption of his husband's legacy to his unborn son. Morritz (Samuel L. Jackson) rescues the violin and clearly states his intention to give it to her daughter.

Miguel P. is a college student seeking an Associates in Applied Science, currently working full time in the IT industry. He has a passion for autmobiles, specially those powered by rotary engines. You can contact Miguel or read more material at MyRotaryCar.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Guam Humanities Council Grant Cycle 2012 - Call for Proposals
Pacific News Center
Guam - The Guam Humanities Council is pleased to announce the opening of the organization's Community Grant Cycle for 2012. Working in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Guam Humanities Council provides financial support to ...

and more »


Trine to host Humanities Symposia
KPCnews.com
ANGOLA — The Humanities Symposia, sponsored by the Trine University Department of Language and Humanities, will begin Feb. 28 and continue through April 17. Each session is free, open to the public and will run from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in Wells Theater in ...



Humanities class explores unconventional topic
The Globe
When humanities professor Channa Newman set out to design and implement a course aimed at exposing the real minorities in America more than 10 years ago, she said she wanted to shed light on a group that flies carefully under the radar.



Lexington Herald Leader

Wendell Berry Named 41st Jefferson Lecturer in the Humanities
WFPL
by Erica Peterson on February 7, 2012 A Kentucky author, farmer and environmental activist has been recognized by the federal government for his achievements in the humanities. Wendell Berry was named the 41st Jefferson Lecturer in the Humanities by ...
Wendell Berry, poet and conservationist, selected to give 2012 Jefferson LectureWashington Post (blog)
Wendell Berry to Give 2012 Jefferson LectureNew York Times (blog)
Kentucky News Review: Hal Rogers earmarks $7 million for his neighborhoodLexington Herald Leader
Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription) (blog) -FOX19 -First Things (blog)
all 11 news articles »


Dust Bowl exhibit includes films, show
Windsor Beacon
It is sponsored by the Windsor Museum and was organized by the Nebraska Council for the Humanities in collaboration with Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The exhibit examines the story of the Dust Bowl ...

and more »


Guam- The Guam Humanities Council (GHC) just started its grant cycle for 2012 ...
Pacific News Center
Executive Director Kimberly Kihleng says they offer small grants up to $10 thousand dollars to groups doing projects related to the humanities. She mentions it's all about empowering different projects within the local community.



Virginia Tech Collegiate Times

Employment out of college a matter of degree
U-T San Diego
That's the conclusion of a study that shows recent graduates with degrees in nontechnical fields such as the arts and humanities are more likely to be unemployed than their counterparts who specialize in education, health care, most kinds of ...
Study shows architecture majors are hurt most by economyVirginia Tech Collegiate Times

all 2 news articles »


Langley Principal Talks Honors Classes With Parents
Patch.com
Patch Langley High School Principal Matt Ragone met with more than 100 parents on Tuesday morning about the school board's recent decision to implement more honors level humanities classes in Fairfax County high schools.

and more »


COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER: UW-Parkside celebrates 'The Rita,' Black History Month ...
Journal Times
On a recent Saturday in January, UW-Parkside officially opened the beautiful new Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for Arts and Humanities, also known as “The Rita,” to the public. More than a thousand visitors to the Jan. 28 grand opening enjoyed ...

and more »


The Commercial Dispatch

Mississippi Humanities Council taps local volunteer for award
The Commercial Dispatch
When the Jackson-based Mississippi Humanities Council announced recipients of its 2012 Public Humanities Awards Thursday, Beverly Norris of Columbus, and the Columbus Arts Council, were named to receive the Humanities Partner Award.

and more »

Google News

home | site map
© 2007