The Stonecutter

Producers and the director get an A for the courage to add intimations of what could be ethnic differences for the purpose of describing what is unique about Polynesian culture.

From the beginning of this film, I was bothered about the obvious roles of "Anglos" in this story, initially assuming that type of casting was crass marketing commercialism. This challenged me all of the way through the story, even after I considered the historical authenticity of the mix and admitting to myself that I just didn't want "whites" elevated what I assumed was above others in the story, but then the story itself showed me the errors of my assumptions about its own characteristics, by revealing the people and the culture it portrays.

Important aspects of the Polynesian culture itself is how that happens, the joyous choral music, simple details of their daily lives, dancing communities, diverse physiognomies, detailed clothing, all given generous lens-time by the director to allow us to feel the organic bounty.

I admire the challenge to conventional identity assumptions that this film presents, but its truest, most valid, self is in how the whole of it and the story that it blossoms out of is greater than the sum of its parts.

I always ask myself the key question about a movie first, was the film entertaining. The Stonecutter was entertaining. I also felt very good after watching the show.

This film's storyline allows the viewer to go on a real "head trip" and that is what I did when I first viewed it. There is a lot of symbolism that one can glean from this film. The next time I viewed it I just went along for the journey.

Pop/Art Film Factory has done it again. Director and producer Daniel Zirilli once again brings another film to life. The camera work captures the pure tropical beauty that is the setting for the Stonecutter. Narration of the story is excellent and the voice is most tranquil. The soundtrack tugs your heart strings and pulls you into the main character's moment in time.

A good show that one can certainly relate too. No surprise that the Stonecutter was the winner of the Visionaries In Film Award of the Bahamas One World Film Festival.

Bill Shaffer

Director Daniel Zirilli has fashioned an engaging and moving film in his recent adaptation of the popular story of the same name `The Stonecutter'

This poignant tale of a humble stone cutter, who wishes for more, relates a valuable life lesson about the difference between wanting and having. The story, which is told through the observation of a simple villager and his daily toil to feed his family, reaches deep into the depths of the search for self-satisfaction. This story examines the age-old questions `Who am I? What more could I be?

The Stonecutter brings this personal struggle and zeal for more to fruition with it's breathtaking photography and peacefully moving soundtrack.

Zirilli uses genuine performances juxtaposed with a tropical paradise to show the beauty of ordinary existence and all the simple pleasures we take for granted. During these times of uncertainty, war and an abundance of `ill feelings' The Stonecutter is a welcome reminder of the essential elements that true happiness is derived from.

My advice would be to turn off CNN for the night and huddle with the kids on the couch and watch a movie that offers some good old-fashioned entertainment.