Product Details

• Actors: Tamasaburo Bando, Yo-Yo Ma
• Directors: Niv Fichman
• Producers: Niv Fichman, Richard Kipnis
• Format: Classical, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony
• VHS Release Date: February 17, 1998
• Run Time: 55 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 1573301280
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #356,603 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

"Struggle for Hope" (55 min.) features Bach's Suite No. 5 for Unaccompanied Cello. Master Kabuki actor Tamasaburo Bando sets out on a journey to discover, through traditional Japanese dance, the universality and emotion of Bach's Fifth Suite. The result is this revelatory, cross-cultural and trans-oceanic collaboration with Yo-Yo Ma, sensitively documented by filmmaker Niv Fichman.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Diamond in the Rough, February 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Yo-Yo Ma - Inspired by Bach No. 5, Struggle for Hope (Cello Suite 5) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The "Inspired by Bach" video series builds a different video vignette around each of Bach's Six Cello Suites. This particular installment follows cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Japanese Kabuki dancer Tamasaburo Bando as they choreograph a Kabuki dance to Bach's Cello Suite No. 5. The video begins with a behind-the-scenes look at their collaboration, as they work both in tandem and in isolation on the project, and ends with an uninterrupted performance of the finished product.

I had no familiarity with Kabuki dancing when I saw the video, but none is necessary, as it turns out. The effect of a lone figure on a candle-lit stage with Bach's darkest cello suite playing in the background is rather hypnotic; the elaborate costumes further enhance the visual effect. This collaboration would have been a colossal failure if not for Bando's stunning artistry. Talent aside, his sincerity throughout the video provides a welcome counterbalance to Ma's often melodramatic personality. Of the six videos in the Inspired by Bach series, only this one successfully integrates Bach's music with visual effect.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bach, Kabuki & a Cello, December 1, 1999

By 

Donald E. Mcleod "Gorilla man" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yo-Yo Ma - Inspired by Bach No. 5, Struggle for Hope (Cello Suite 5) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

A wonderfully realized film, bringing two brilliant artists together with a visionary filmaker's sure touch. Ma is inspiring and inspired, and Tamasaburo Bando is incredible, in his (Onnagata) role. In my opionion the best of this series. A great gift for any lover of Bach, Kabuki or high art fully exposed and realized. Full of spirit and discovery. An intriguing path-of-discovery from all those involved. Highly recommended!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ecstatic grief, February 7, 2000

By 

wynalter (Cleveland, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yo-Yo Ma - Inspired by Bach No. 5, Struggle for Hope (Cello Suite 5) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This performance moved me to tears and held me there. The different facets and feelings of grief were portrayed in such beautiful purity that I felt the music and dance pierced through me, turning my own grief to art. Transformative.