The Pearl Company

The VOC Silent Film Harmonic:  Live Music Accompaniment  to 5 Classic Buster Keaton short films: Saturday, March 30, 8:00 pm. $15 /$10 students/all artists: The VOC Silent Film Harmonic, under the direction of Ted Harms, is a group dedicated to performing live soundtracks to silent movies. The group takes its inspiration from how many silent movies were originally presented, taking themes and using them as the basis for improvisation.  The music reflects, enhances, and supports the movie; it does not overtake or distract. And, of course, when it comes to comedies, Buster Keaton has few peers!  With his porkpie hat, floppy shoes, and stoic expression, Keaton consistently astounds with the pure physicality of his acting.  The five short films presented are classics and unforgettable comedies! VOC is: Ted Harms, bass; David Hunsberger, clarinets, Steve Lederman, percussion & brass: Bradford Nowak, drums; Wade Whittaker on guitar.

“Down The Rhodes“ A musical and visual tribute to the Fender Rhodes electric piano: Saturday, January 26, at 9:00. Tickets: Pay What You Can (suggest $5):  Down The Rhodes: The Fender Rhodes Story is a historical, film tribute to the Fender Rhodes electric piano, brought to life through performances, insightful interviews, and stories from a remarkable cast of music notables. Interviews with: George Benson, Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Ramsey Lewis, John Novello, and more!  Don’t miss this insider’s view of how a war-era rehabilitation tool developed into one of the core elements in creating music today.  Film maker and musician/producer Gerald McCauley (West Coast All-Stars) is the creative impetus behind this remarkable story: http://fenderrhodesstory.com/

“Down The Rhodes“ A musical and visual tribute to the Fender Rhodes electric piano: Wednesday, June 20, at 8:00. Tickets: $10 / $8 students/all artists. Down The Rhodes: The Fender Rhodes Story is a historical, film tribute to the Fender Rhodes electric piano, brought to life through performances, insightful interviews, and stories from a remarkable cast of music notables. Interviews with: George Benson, Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Ramsey Lewis, John Novello, and more! From this insider’s look we see how a war-era rehabilitation tool developed into one of the core elements in creating music today. Fresh from the Trane Studio and it’s Canadian premiere film screening.  Don’t miss the Hamilton premiere of this insider’s view of how a war-era rehabilitation tool developed into one of the core elements in creating music today.  Live Performance from the film maker and musician/producer Gerald McCauley (West Coast All-Stars) http://fenderrhodesstory.com/

Monday Night Movie! Monday, March 26 Doors at 7:30, movie at 8:00. $10 all/door. Our first Monday Movie will be the Japanese masterwork, Ran (literally “Madness” or “Chaos”), legendary director Akira Kurosawa’s twenty-seventh of thirty films, is not only the summit of his artistry but a universally acclaimed masterpiece. Kurosawa spent ten years meticulously preparing every detail of and scouring the world for funding for his free adaptation of Shakespeare’s King Lear transposed to sixteenth century feudal Japan. We see, and feel, the “Ran,” the literal chaos of the title, in the destruction of the bonds of duty which once united a son to his father, a brother to his brother, and a samurai to his lord. Kurosawa makes no apologies for taking the time he needs to explore every nuance of his characters and themes. This magisterial film is an aesthetic triumph, with sequences ranging from one of the most overwhelming (and influential) battles ever filmed to intimate scenes which begin with ritualistic formality but then erupt into volcanic passion.  Monday Night Movies will take place on the last Monday of the month and will feature a variety of international masterworks with an international food pairing!
For more information re ‘Ran’, follow the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ran_%28film%29 and for the original movie trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbbfDntoRRk Stick around for sushi and conversation afterward!

Cinema Insieme Presents: La Febbre (2005): Monday May 9 at 7pm. $10 at the door. Mario is a young geometer of Cremona, a splendid medieval city to the south of Milano, taking courses at the faculty of Architecture, He spends his days performing jobs for a famous architect and he is also in business with 3 friends turning a mechanic shop into a pub. The discovery that he has won a contest for a municipal employee thanks to an application sent by his father four years before and the consequent possibilities of fixed employment will transform his existence. Splendidly shot by Alessandro D’Alatri, played with a lot of passion by a great Fabio Volo, the movie represents an interesting fresco of the contemporary Italian society. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0452778/

Gerardo Mansang:  “44 Moons” Art Opening May 1, 4:00pm. No charge.  This Colombian artist understands colour, warmth, and symbolism. Very large to small canvases, all in brilliant acrylics.

Latin Film Night; 7:00pm. $10 at the door. Presentation of the Mexican movie,  “Amores Perros” and a musical performance of the Cuban group called “ de Suerte”.  The movie, “Amores Perros”, tells three separate stories interconnected by one tragic event, a fatal car accident. In one, a young man falls in love with his brother’s pregnant wife, while in another a vagrant finds work as a hitman.  Lastly, a perfume saleswoman conducts an affair with a married man in this complex, controversial film which rewards multiple viewings.

Cinema Insieme Presents: Lamerica (1994): Monday March 28 at 7pm. $10 at the door.

Two Italian racketeers come to Albania just after the fall of the communists to set up a fictive firm and pocket the grants. They need a stooge. They choose an old one in a jail : Spiro. But the youngest Italian, Gino, once alone with Spiro, encounters a few problems. Far from his roots, losing his identity in deep Albania, he begins to change.

This award-winning film takes the audience through the devastation of post-communist Albania as it follows the odyssey of a young Italian man who has come to make some easy money but finds himself caught up in the same curious mix of hopeful despair etched into the faces of people he’s come to swindle.

Directed by:    Gianni Amelio ( Le chiavi di casa )  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110299/

Cinema Insieme Monday February 28: 7:00pm. $10 at the door.  A Hamilton-based Italian Film Club usually screening modern films that have received a lot of attention in Italy or at International Film Festivals. All films have English subtitles. Occasionally, a classic or retrospective film of importance is featured. The films are introduced by highly knowledgeable Italian Film-Buffs and a brief discussion follows the film.  Everyone is welcome. Lo Spazio Bianco (2009) An unexpected pregnancy and premature birth become a burden that Maria is unprepared for. Lacking control over events for the first time in her life, she retreats into an emotional space where she is alone, until the day arrives when she must learn to live again for her vulnerable child. Staring: Margherita Buy, Gaetano Bruno and Giovanni Luden

Cinema Insieme presents the controversial classic film  “Swept Away” (Travolti da un insolito destino nell’azzurro mare d’agosto) Monday, January 17, 7:00 p.m. Admission $10. A film by Lina Wertmüller starring Mariangela Melato & Giancarlo Giannini

Come see what happens when a rich, capitalist snob from Northern Italy is marooned on an island with a poor, communist chauvinist from Southern Italy. Reception and discussion following Film. Film is in Italian with English subtitles

“Vincere”. Cinema Insieme’s first film of the Italian Films season as part of Festitalia.  Monday, September 13th, 7:00 pm. $10 at the door. The powerful new film from acclaimed auteur Marco Bellocchio, ‘Vincere’ is a compelling drama based on the little known story of Benito Mussolini’s first wife beginning with their liaison in 1914; An official selection of the Cannes, Toronto and Telluride Film Festivals, Vincere is a gripping film that combines drama, archive footage, and music creating a highly cinematic oratorio of enormous emotional force. Professor Franco Gallippi will be presenting the film and leading the Q & A session afterwards.

Italian Film Night: Cinema Insieme: Monday, April 19, 7:00pm, $15 at the door:  ‘Caro Diario’: Nani Moretti directs himself playing himself in this wry look at life. Presented in three chapters, Moretti uses the experiences of traveling on his motor-scooter, cruising with his friend around a set of remote islands in search of peace to finish his new film, and consulting doctor after doctor to cure his annoying rash.  All in order to cast a humourous look at his life and those around him.

Tia McGraff: Saturday, April 24 at 8:00. $20 at the door. With a special guest appearance from Six Nations Musicians, Sakoieta Wildrick and Tewentahawiht Dawn Antone.
Writing and recording since the age of 19, Tia McGraff’s uplifting, heart-warming songs have been garnering her strong fan acclaim from the start. The Port Dover native headed to Nashville, where she and Tommy Parham quickly became a musical force to be reckoned with. Writing, performing and producing, they have captured the attention and respect of artists, producers and industry insiders.
“Tia McGraff is a fantastic singer with her own vocal personality which reminds me of an early Linda Ronstadt. She is a very intuitive songwriter who knows what a song needs to make it tick. A joy to work with.” – Randy Bachman
” I have seldom run into someone with a gift that needs to be heard as much as Tia. She colors outside the lines, and stands outside of the circle of tuned perfection. Tia McGraff is real and is really needed in today’s marketplace of music.” – Devon O’Day   www.TiaMcGraff.com

Cinema Insieme presents Open City [Roma, Citta Aperta] dir. Roberto Rossellini (1945)  Monday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m.- WWII during the 9 month Nazi occupation of Rome in 1943 – The Fascist dictatorship has begun its fall, although many sympathizers still remain. The Nazis have occupied several Italian cities and areas. The Italian Resistance movement is carrying out a clandestine battle against the Nazis, as they did against the Fascist dictatorship. Based on real life events, this landmark film focuses on the hardships and struggles of ordinary people and their fight for freedom. Rome, Open City, considered the mother of the Neo-realist film movement, ushered in a new film style that influenced audiences and directors throughout the world.

Four Films Celebrating Black History: Wednesday, February 24. 7:00pm. $10 at the door. Michael Williams (Radio / TV Personality) will be hosting a unique show of film and music. 1) 24 ONE MINUTE MOVIES ON “OUTSTANDING CANADIANS” 2) “THE OBAMA EFFECT ON BLACK CANADA” 3) “STILL BILL” A DOCUMENTARY about Bill Withers, the unexpected superstar. The songs “Ain’t No Sunshine”, “Lean on Me”, “Lovely Day” and “Just the Two of Us”, are only part of the life of a complex and fascinating character, an icon who left the industry behind but never gave up his soul. Featuring a tribute concert, a soundtrack with previously unreleased tracks, and a rare live performance. http://stillbillthemovie.com/ 4) SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTION tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music – the freedom songs protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, in paddy wagons, and in jail cells as they fought for justice and equality. The film features new performances of the freedom songs by top artists; riveting archival footage; and interviews with civil rights foot soldiers and leaders, including Harry Belafonte and Julian Bond. The freedom songs evolved from slave chants, from the labor movement, and especially from the black church. The music enabled blacks to sing words they could not say, and it was crucial in helping the protesters as they faced down brutal aggression with dignity and non-violence. Produced by Danny Glover.

Italian Film Night: Monday, January 25, 7:00 p.m. $10 at the door. Cinema Insieme presents “THE LAST KISS” “L’ultimo bacio” directed by Gabriele Muccino. Film is in Italian with English subtitles. The Last Kiss (2001) focuses on relationships in today’s society, from the 29 year-olds who fear commitment and responsibility, to the 50 year-olds who fear aging. With its multiple storylines and some amazing performances, the film creates a vivid and colourful fresco of modern Italian life.