Ashes and Snow

I had the privilege of visiting Gregory Colbert's Parisian studio this weekend and fell in love with his magnificent, oversize sepia images of people and children interacting, sitting, dancing, or swimming with Asian elephants, eagles, manatees, cheetahs, whales and more. I had seen his 2005 exhibit, "Ashes and Snow", in New York City and still have one of its posters hanging above my bed. I wanted to watch the film of the same name in its entirety and was spellbound.

For those who are not familiar with Gregory Colbert, he is a Canadian born photographer and film-maker, who traveled on expeditions to India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya and many more to document the incredible interactions between humans and animals. He exposes his work only in immense "nomadic" structures. Ashes and Snow attracted over 10 million visitors in NYC, Santa Monica, Tokyo and Mexico City, making it the most attended exhibition by a living artist in history. Colbert's Nomadic Museum continues its global journey indefinitely and has no final destination.

The movie, narrated by Laurence Fishburne, is stunning to say the very least. It is angelic, gentle and mesmerizing. Mostly silent, a simple, enchanting music plays in the background. From time to time a poem is read, telling the fictional tale of a husband writing 365 letters to his wife. The poems themselves are wonderful and divine, perfectly fitting into this symphony of sights and sounds and of perfect harmony between living beings. There are scenes of utmost beauty and precision that sent me into a dream-like state.

I highly recommend this film to anyone who is interested in art, photography or cinematography or simply to anybody who loves animals and wants to see something truly beautiful and unique. It can also be left on in the background and be watched over and over again for the striking, almost sacred allure of its images.

Gregory's next appointment is with the penguins and icebergs of Antarctica and I cannot wait to see what they have in store for us.

My rating: 8.5 Fabio's: 6 Total score: 14.5 For more movie reviews, please visit http://www.paulinasmovies.blogspot.com/

What a piece of Art! a real masterpiece. That was the first thing i said after watching this film, i even paused a lot of times just to enjoy the beauty of the shot in front of me. To me; it's a film about life or the world as i would like it to be, it really takes you away from all the chaos, the traffic, the rush and all what's forming our modern life as we know it, and puts you in a piece of heaven, giving u an insight on how humans can live bound to other creatures in harmony, real harmony and how it really feels like to be free and really enjoying the beauty of this world. i so can't wait to see Gregory Colbert's new film.

I was watching this asleep and awake, I enjoyed it in a completely different way than I enjoyed any other film - a meditation of another level.

The images which I saw were mesmerizing, and combined with the poetry I felt like I was floating over my life in a dream. From the very first shot, the cinematography was a killer and I thought the Sepia tones really added to the atmosphere.

I read the "poem" or words of this movie later, it reads especially well under Pink Floyd, Echoes. Try it, really worth a shot.

Ashes and Snow is a beautiful example of photographic mastery. Gregory Colbert is one of the top photographers of this generation and Ashes and Snow is a testament to his talent. The film is well shot, tremendously edited and all this to a soundtrack that is appropriate and spiritual: it simply is a joy to watch.

It is clear that Colbert has an extraordinary talent and patience. He is able to become a part of these animals' environment. The animals seem engaged and happy.

Plus, Lisa Gerrard and Patrick Cassidy's music is delightful. These two performers only enhance an already perfect experience.

I would recommend this film to anyone, young or old: everyone will find something to enjoy.

Ashes and Snow is a love letter to his beloved written on a film that unfolds a legacy of beauty in timeless moments. The photography and underwater filming demonstrates the excellence of the arts and craft at work and artist is both Nature and co-existent man. The poetic wall of sound and song blending in the pictorial landscape slows time making it stand still as the motion becomes e-motion. Gregory Colbert has created a work of art in the truest sense of the word. There is an earnestness in the quiet voice reaching out to stop the clock to somehow hold time as he presents the gift of his soul's eye. He asks her to burn the letters upon the snow and read the song upon his heart. Oh that each of us/those viewing would have an abiding love to create such a masterpiece.