Customer Reviews

Docurama Awards Collection, Vol. 2

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The grand spectacle of opera -- the mega-stars, the scenery, the lights, the costumes -- would be much less grand were it not for the incredible talents and contributions of the opera chorus. Winner of a Best Documentary Academy Award (in 1991) "... Shadow ..." highlights several members of the San Francisco Opera chorus -- one of the best in the US -- displaying their talents, their dreams and ambitions, their everyday lives.

From the baritone who married the mezzo to the husband of one of today's superstars (Ruth Ann Swenson), we see exactly what is involved in rehearsal and performance, the long hours, the commitment and versatility required to sing the variety of repertoire required of the members of the chorus. The video includes scenes of rehearsals and performances of "Il Trovatore," "Parsifal," "L'Africaine," "Flying Dutchman," "The Rake's Progress," and "MacBeth" among others.

In keeping with the anonymous nature of a chorister's existence, none of the featured singers is identified in the credits (a few of them do identify themselves during their segments). The editing is incredibly well-done, the photography is wonderful, and the entire film "flows" with a sense of music and rhythm.

A must see for any singer who aspires to sing onstage; or for anyone who desires a greater appreciation of just what goes into opera performance.

This is an enchanting, well-photographed film full of humor, wit and compassion. The filmmakers do an excellent job of storytelling as they take the viewer behind the scenes of the opera and tell the tales of the would-be divas. You don't like the opera? Not a problem. This movie can be appreciated by anyone who has ever had a dream unfulfilled but dares to dream on. Bravo!!!

This is a great film for everyone in the family. It is a wholesome, warm, sensitive look at the inner workings of the opera. This would make a great gift. I highly recommend this Oscar winner.

What a heartwarming, lovely documentary!

While there's a similarity to Waiting for Guffman, this differs in that it is real, and that the people featured are amazingly talented and well-spoken. And even if they are not "stars," most of them seem to have worked harder pursuing their dream of making music than I can even comprehend.

My favorite is the soprano (?) chorister who wistfully says, "I'm playing a peasant, but my costume is silk because it wears well. It's sturdy. We can't get them wet, we're not allowed to sweat in them, because they are silk. But that baritone (principal)...he can wipe his face on __his__ costume and it's ok." But I also like the baritone quoting Anna Russell. And the trucker trying to learn "Madamina" while on the road. (Listening to his voice lesson is exasperating. He sounds great to my untutored ear, but his teacher, paid to be a perfectionist, only finds faults.) Then there's the baritone who sang some choral piece in Latin for his audition, and laughs while he reflects that they should have let him go right then. He seems the most at peace with his decisions and his life.

It seems to me that this would be a great film for anyone with a dream: baseball, music, whatever. Or even if you don't have a dream. It's still fun.

This movie is so charming and captivating, I was spellbound until the end. You don't have to be an opera lover to be fascinated by the stories of these singers who would love to be in the spotlight, but for the most part are part of the musical background. Each vignette is unique, and the personalities are so varied. But each has the goal of glorious singing, and we can't help but care about their struggles to "make it". See this film!! And spread the news.

We received an email from Allie Light at San Francisco Public Library several years ago. This is part of her message: "My late husband, Charles Hilder was an opera singer and music teacher. He dies of cancer at 33. This documentary is about his life and the lives of other singers. The film is a way of saying goodbye. Sometimes one grieves forever."

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One of the most painfully hilarious documentaries ever made. This is the real-world progenitor of Christopher Guest's "Waiting for Guffman" and is one of those extraordinarily rare examples of life besting art. If you don't see the gut wrenching poinancy of these poor chorus schleps giving it their all, each with not inconsiderable talent undercut by a tragic flaw--epitomized by the one baritone's comment that God had played a cruel joke on him by making him loud, but unartistic--you just don't get what life's about. A great documentary that works on many levels; GET THIS MOVIE!

Loved-loved-LOVED this movie! A friend loaned me his and I had to purchase one for myself. What a fantastic chronicle of the under-appreciated chorus of an opera company. I was absolutely blown away to learn of the incredible backgrounds of these people. I was equally impressed with their knowledge of their beloved art and the dedication they give to it. What an eye-opening experience. I feel truly enlightened and appreciate way more the path in which these incredibly talented people take. If you even just like the opera, you will love this movie! Bravo, everyone!

I'm a big fan of doumentaries, especially of this type, that attempt to show personal stories of individuals involved in some artistic endeavor. I just watched Young at Heart, which is an amazingly moving view of senior choristers. Another amazing documentary of this type is Shaksepeare Behind Bars, which shows the making of The Tempest in a men's prison. Both are extraordinary.

So perhaps its unfair to compare this worthy attempt to those. Here we see interviews with several members of the San Francisco opera chorus, interspersed with scenes of the chorus in performance. I'm an opera lover and especially fond of the sound of the chorus, so I enjoyed those parts very much.

Some of the subjects captured my attention more than others; the fellow who escaped the horror of his slum life in the Bronx was especially moving. I was also interested in the plight of the young woman who left the chorus to make her way in Europe, with very little money. The others had more or less interest to me.

I would have liked more resolution of the lives....did the poor girl get work? How did the fellow performing for the first time as a soloist do? We see him approaching the stage door, but the film leaves us there.

I think this will have appeal mostly to opera lovers and singers.

There is an interesting extra feature showing the acceptance speech of the couple who made the film. The man went on for quite a while, leaving the woman no time at all to speak.

This is a well-photographed, at times interesting collection of stories about chorus members in the San Francisco Opera. The emphasis is on homosexual members. And a good many issues are ignored, including the formal education and training of chorus members and the economics involved. One of the most amusing scenes is of the wealthy patrons lining up at the opera house door to be photographed. This film is strictly for opera lovers.