Grades 7-12, College, Adult
Directed by Larry Weinstein
Produced by Rhombus Media
DVD Purchase $79, Rent $45
US Release Date: 1989
Copyright Date: 1989
DVD ISBN: 1-59458-921-6
VHS ISBN: 1-56029-091-9
Subjects
Animals
Biology
Humanities
Life Science
Marine Biology
Music
Performing Arts
Wildlife
Awards and Festivals
First Place, Banff Television Festival
Silver Plaque, Chicago International Film Festival
Honorable Mention, Columbus International Film & Video Festival Yorkton Film Festival
American Film & Video Festival
Ecovision
Writers, artists, and musicians celebrate the whale.
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"Utterly quirky, informative and delightful." Variety |
Having students write an essay on a single theme is a time-honored tradition in most schools. Here's how internationally renowned artists respond to this creative challenge by paying tribute in many different media to one of earth's most magnificent creatures: the whale.
FOR THE WHALES presents original music by such leading composers as John Cage, Toru Takemitsu and Adrian Belew; the poetry and prose of authors Margaret Atwood, Stanley Kunitz and Al Alvarez; and the sculpture and paintings of artists such as Bill Reid, Ronnie Landfield and Kenneth Armitage. Rare footage of a Kwakiutl potlatch whale dance is also featured, along with the whale art of the ancient Peruvian and Inuit cultures, while stunning footage of whales in their natural environment reveals the magnificence and indescribable beauty which has inspired the world's artists.
Reviews
"Provides a terrific pretext for introducing a classroom to contemporary artists... and to a very important ecological issue... would make a very interesting public library presentation."
**** Video Rating Guide for Libraries
"This outstanding production offering the thoughts and works of so many creative people is almost like being present in their company and sharing their feelings about whales. Recommended for classroom and library programs."
Landers
"An excellent international and interdisciplinary arts film...an extremely well-done production that brings the arts together in a profoundly sincere and emotional way."
AFVA Evaluations