The Red Violin - Film Review

Home
>
Humanities
>
The Red Violin - Film Review

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

In The News:

BU Today
Two Guggenheims Will Fuel Humanities Research
BU Today
McCann photo by Vernon Doucette Two College of Arts & Sciences professors specializing in the humanities are taking a temporary break from campus, with help from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. Guggenheim fellowships, often characterized ...

The Cord
Government of Canada to Announce Investment in Research Partnerships
MarketWatch (press release)
The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, will make an announcement related to funding for new research partnerships in the social sciences and humanities among the academic, private, public, and not-for-profit sectors ...
Humanities, social sciences, creative arts more relevant than everGuelph Mercury
Waterloo Region hosts massive academic gatheringWaterloo Record
Waterloo community hopes to boost reputation with Congress 2012The Cord
Exchange Morning Post (press release)
all 10 news articles »

Noozhawk
Michael Douglas Donates $500000 to UCSB to Endow Dean's Chair
Noozhawk
By UCSB | Published on 05.24.2012 A matching amount from UC Presidential Funds completes a $1 million commitment to support the Michael Douglas Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts. The chair will support teaching, research, and programs in the humanities ...
Michael Douglas Donates $500000 to UCSBSanta Barbara Independent

all 3 news articles »

Media Advisory: Governor General of Canada to Deliver Keynote Address at ...
MarketWatch (press release)
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, May 23, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will deliver a keynote address on the opening day of the 2012 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, ...
Local academics join those sharing their researchWaterloo Record

all 2 news articles »

Media Advisory: Governor General of Canada to Deliver Keynote Address at ...
Marketwire (press release)
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 23, 2012) - His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will deliver a keynote address on the opening day of the 2012 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, on Saturday, ...

and more »

Ferndale Museum receives documentary grant
Times-Standard
Cal Humanities recently announced the 2012 Community Stories grant awardees, and the Ferndale Museum has been awarded $10000 for its documentary project titled “The Span of the Century.” Community Stories is a competitive grant program of Cal ...

Solomon's Choice: Valuing Biblical Studies and Humanities Education
The Bible and Interpretation
This attitude attacks all the humanities and arts, but it is especially true for Biblical Studies, sometimes seen as irrelevant even by other humanities scholars. Those of us who are engaged in researching and teaching in Biblical Studies need to be ...

Vermont Humanities Council seeks nominations for tenth annual Victor R ...
vtdigger.org
For ten years, the Vermont Humanities Council has honored such teachers with the Victor R. Swenson Humanities Educator Award, which recognizes a Vermont educator in grades 6 through 12 who exemplifies excellence in the teaching of the humanities.
Humanities Council seeks teacher nomineesRutland Herald

all 2 news articles »

Annual Senator Pell Lecture on Arts & Humanities to be held in Providence
The Republic
AP PROVIDENCE, RI — Providence Mayor Angel Taveras (tuh-VEHR'-us) is hosting the annual Senator Pell Lecture on Arts & Humanities. The presentation is scheduled for Thursday evening at the Pell Chafee (CHAY'-fee) Performance Center and is entitled ...

and more »

U. of U. adds environmental center in Montana
Salt Lake Tribune
By Dana Ferguson The University of Utah will extend its campus beyond Salt Lake City as it adds the Environmental Humanities Education Center on the southern border of Montana. The site in Montana's Centennial Valley will offer a place for students and ...
U of U Offers Environmental Education in MontanaKCPW (blog)

all 2 news articles »

Google News