Zum Tod meiner Mutter is a film that takes a look at the questions and attitudes of euthanasia . Juliane ’ s mother ( Elsie de Brauw ) is 64 years old but has been severely sick for many years . She lives in a nursing home and has finally decided she doesn ’ t want to live anymore . Juliane ( Birte Schnöink ) contemplates this plea for help and approaches a doctor who informs her that the only way someone can choose to die is to stop eating and drinking . In other countries , physicians can assist a patient ’ s suicide , but not in Germany . As Juliane accompanies her mother through this process , she learns more about what her mother ’ s friends and acquaintances think about this entire undertaking . It seems that only Juliane has empathy after seeing her mother suffer for years , and she is open to her mother ’ s choice even if it means death . Having recently experienced this myself , I found the dialogue a bit forced and expected that the daughter would find a deeper sense of the meaning of life . As she watched cartoons and ate chips , it seemed to me that Juliane was not really facing what was coming . 134 minutes . ( Shelly Schoeneshoefer )
Zum Tod meiner Mutter ( The Death of My Mother ) ** Germany 2022 Opened June 9 , 2022
Directed by : Jessica Krummacher Writing credits : Jessica Krummacher Principal actors : Birte Schnöink , Elsie de Brauw , Susanne Bredehöft , Christian Löber , Hede Beck
© Grandfilm
© Rapid Eye Movies
On the Japanese island of Sado , the Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble Kodo , composer Koshiro Hino , and a film crew spend a month performing with various kinds of drums and other instruments while in sync with their natural surroundings . A variety of film and sound techniques are used to create a visual experience enhanced by the sounds of instruments and nature . This documentary opens with the sun breaking through clouds as the ocean waves crash on the shore to the rhythm of a large drum — in essence , a living painting . Small triangular wooden blocks are struck as if in musical meditation . Drumsticks on metal pots are played to sweeping views of an ancient wall mural . Drums are joined by the siren songs of two vocalists in mournful harmony .
The beauty of the island is explored through the sounds of the group leading up to a frenetic mix of dance , ocean , light , sculpture , and a crescendo of organ and drums pounding with the surf . There may be much symbolism here that was lost on me , but you can find a certain peace in the vibes of this holistic experience . 89 minutes . ( Mary Wienke )
Shiver ( Shiver — Die Kunst der Taiko Trommel , Senritsu seshimeyo ) *** Japan 2021 Opened June 23 , 2022
Directed by : Toshiaki Toyoda Documentary with Koshiro Hino , Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble Kodo , Kiyohiko Shibukawa , Kenta Nakagome , Yuta Sumiyoshi