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jlpoznak
Reviews
Accordions Rising (2015)
An Outstanding Accordion Primer
Roberta Cantow, in Accordions Rising, does for accordions what Herman Melville did for whales. In Moby Dick, Melville tells us why whales are supreme amongst all creatures. Likewise, Cantow deftly, beautifully, and compellingly proves that accordions are supreme among all musical instruments. Accordions Rising is fascinating, superbly crafted, erudite, and highly entertaining. The culture of accordions is vast. Although Accordions Rising is a perfect introduction to that unique culture, this reviewer hope that Cantow will give us at least one sequel. Even without sequels, Accordions Rising gives the curious viewer the keys to further exploration.
Not a Still Life (2013)
A biography turned to myth
Not A Still Life proves Roberta Cantow's superb abilities as a storyteller and her outstanding craftsmanship as a film maker. The film is filled with so many resonant images. I particularly liked the opening ( or near opening, I can't remember exactly) shot of Steve in the upside-down lounger. That shot is a great introduction to Steve, as someone who unabashedly acts as he wishes, without pretense. For Steve, upside down is just as good as right-side up.
The film creates and combines myth and reality in a manner reminiscent of Apichatong Weerasethakul. The mythical elements arise from Ms. Cantow's shots of Steve's garden and the back of his house that faces the garden. These shots give us the notion and feeling that Steve is in Eden, alone but very content. These mythic concepts are furthered by our seeing Steve (particularly when nude) gracefully, elegantly, and effortlessly glide through the water like a large sea mammal, a unique beast found only in Ms. Cantow's vision of Steve's Eden.
But then, on the other hand, Ms. Cantow remind us that Steve is of this earth, with his debt, maintaining his business, his tragic loss, his painful loneliness, his regrets, his temper, and most of all, his temptation to sell Eden! And finally, bridging myth and reality, is Steve's participation in Judaism.
In summary, Not A Still Life is a brilliantly conceived and realized work of art.