Review of The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble (2016) by John S — 31 Dec 2016
A documentary that follows world renown and much loved cellist Yo-Yo Ma as he gathers his Silk Road Ensemble, is not just a film about music, but aspires to answer some very big global questions.
Virtuoso players from various world corners come together to create lively music parties under the jovial, motherly hen direction of Ma, and tell their stories. Stories of oppression, suppression, and struggle. Riveting stuff, though not enough time is spent on each tale (an impossible task), so we are left with enticing snippets, hopefully to be fully explored at a later date.
Fear not, there's enough here to warrant a view, even in the guise of a wonderful, long form music video. "The Music of Strangers" is beautifully shot, features extraordinary aural bits, and introduces a series of interesting characters. Intended as a some sort of artistic love-in to counteract the world's ills, this doc actually works better as a glimpse into the crazy world of gifted geniuses, and their determination to create their craft as outsiders. And it swings.
- hipCRANK.
This review of The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble (2016) was written by John S on 31 Dec 2016.
The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble has generally received positive reviews.
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