JOURNÉE DE LA MUSIQUE ... a perfect moment to indulge into before Election Day. No need for further introduction so here is the line-up at Titus Brandsma Center on May 8:

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg / Les Parapluies de Cherbourg
Jacques Demy, France, 1964.
87 minutes.

French Cinema is not renowned for musicals but THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG is one of those few exceptions. It's hard not to be stirred by its bittersweet mood, the striking colors, Michel Legrand's music and the young Catherine Deneuve. The fact that all the dialogues are sung is appealing enough. Like wine, the movie gets better as the years go by.

1965 Golden Globe Best Foreign Film (nom). 1965 Academy Awards Best Original Screenplay (nom); Best Original Score (nom); Best Song (nom); Best Adapted Score (nom). 1965 Grammy Awards Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Show (nom). 1964 Cannes Int'l. FF Grand Prix (win). 1964 Academy Awards Best Foreign Film (nom). 1964 New York Film Critics Circle Best Foreign Film (nom). 1963 French Critics Society Prix Louis-Delluc (win).

Direction: Jacques Demy. Production: Mag Bodard. Screenplay: Jacques Demy. Cinematography: Jean Rabier. Editing: Anne-Marie Cotret. Art Direction: Bernard Evein. Musical Score: Michel Legrand. Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Nino Castelnuovo, Anne Vernon, Marc Michel, Ellen Farner.

Pinoi Rock and Rhythm
Dennis Empalmado, Philippines, 2003.
56 minutes.

PINOI ROCK AND RHYTHM pays tribute to the musical icons of yore. This documentary reveals figures like Howlin' Dave to be long gone from the scene and their health on decline but Dennis Empalmado shows that they won't bust out unnoticed.