I Am: Céline Dion
Irene Taylor
2024, 103 mins.
Warrior of Song
Canada’s most famous chanteuse courageously steps up to the lens to both celebrate her extraordinary art and boldly reveal the ravages of SPS (Stiff Person Syndrome). With the odds of contracting this debilitating disease (1-2 per million), it’s an extraordinary example of how incredible talent can be thwarted by nature’s challenges.
Forget about the singing (we all know what an extraordinary talent she has) but savour the honesty and courage of a “blessed” one (don’t be deceived, voices such as hers have to be nurtured, trained and rehearsed—no such thing as “natural” singers).
Do enjoy the songs, wardrobe visits (especially the shoes), interactions with pets and offsprings, but never lose sight of the main thrust: all of us can be subject to health issues that know nothing about careers, fame or fans.
Bookending this marvellous film with excerpts from Carmen, (a character doomed by choices in life but, nonetheless, with a marvellous voice), succinctly underscores Dion’s dilemma even as it celebrates her extraordinary life.JWR
The Boat
Luke Morgan
2024, 16 mins.
What’s worse than dying?
In just a few short minutes, the plight of those with leprosy and those who are, sadly, ignorant of the cure, is lovingly sent to the screen.
At the centre of it all is young Dhuckia (Tejuswee Ram Dahal quietly innocent) who handily beats her two elder sisters as they compete for “closest to the fire marshmallow” competition. But, alas, she wins thanks to the near total loss of feeling in her feet.
Secretly wishing an elderly man who's missing many digits from his ravaged body good luck as the prize for her own fireside feat, the irony is hard to ignore, even as Dad (Shree Ram Dahal) does what he thinks is best for all.
Many levels of food for thought. JWR