THE OVERTURE is a thrilling and totally engrossing film about both an artist’s passion for his music and his unrelenting commitment to protect the human need to express that passion.

THE OVERTURE is a fictional biography inspired by events in the life of legendary Thai musician Luang Pradit Pairoh. Divided in two parallel stories, THE OVERTURE covers two separate epochs in Sorn’s (Luang Pradit Pairoh) life: the first story is set during the musician’s early years and the second covers the final moments of his life.

Born in remote rural Siam in the late 19th century, Sorn, the youngest son in a family of musicians, displays a remarkable passion for music and an astonishing facility for playing the wooden xylophone known as the ranad.

As a young child, Sorn chases a butterfly which lands on the ranad and he begins to play instinctively. Following a family tragedy, Sorn is forbidden by his father to play; however, the young prodigy studies in secret.

As he matures into a young man, Sorn’s musical gifts win him great regional acclaim, but his adolescent pride also leads him to an early defeat when he attempts to challenge Thailand’s legendary ranad master, Khun In, to a musical duel during his first visit to the bustling capital city of Bangkok.

Returning home haunted by his defeat, Sorn redoubles his dedication and develops a revolutionary new ranad technique that eventually wins him national respect, appointment as a royal court musician, and another shot at his old nemesis Khun In. Sorn’s greatest challenge, however, comes in the final years of his career, when political change in Thailand threatens to outlaw the musical traditions to which he has dedicated his life.

Filled with exhilarating musical performances and set against a backdrop of sweeping historical change, THE OVERTURE reminds me of a saying that usually applies to sports: “Never underestimate the heart of a champion.” In this case, I would add the words “passionate artist” to that sentence. In a time when it was literally life threatening to be different and to even express his music, Sorn refused to bow to the societal pressures. He heard only the whisperings of the music muse in his heart who compelled him to defy even his beloved father in search of a new sound only he could hear.

This Month's Spiritual Cinema Circle Films

MRS. PARUZEL: What would you do if you died in an awkward and somewhat compromising position? Well, if you could, I bet you’d rearrange yourself before the family arrived! Lovingly written and directed by Australian filmmaker Annika Glac. (12 min.)

THE FACE: Based on the traditional Zen story, The Magic Seed, this fable takes us to far away places while conveying an important message about honesty and compassion. An old man tells stories to the neighborhood children until his age and health dictate that he must find a replacement storyteller to hold The Face. A wonderful tale for the whole family, directed by Iain McCaig, the brilliant mind behind the art concepts of the last three Star Wars films. Written by James Baldwin, directed by Iain McCaig. (23 min.) 

FULL CIRCLE: A gentle, sweet story of love from afar set in the commercial district of an Irish village. While she keeps shop, all day long Phillipa dreams of the bank guard across the street, wondering if he sees her too. How long can she live yearning, dreaming and wondering, before something happens to answer all of her questions? An affirmation of the validity of our inner feelings, and the courage it takes to act upon them! Written and directed by Simon Fitzmaurice. (15 min.)

FEATURE FILM: DELIVERING MILO: A movie we’ve been waiting a full year to bring to The Spiritual Cinema Circle, this feature is worth the wait! Starring Bridget Fonda, Campbell Scott and Albert Finney in a wonderful tale of birth, life, death and all states in between. Milo is supposed to be born…any minute now. But he’s not quite convinced that being in the body is where he wants to be. This film is a beautiful journey through the trials and tribulations of this glorious experience that we call life, reminding us all why we’ve chosen to be here. Written by Heidi Levitt, David Hubbard and Diana Wagman, directed by Nick Castle. (94 min,)

BONUS! CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD: “behind the scenes” video diary. See the casting process, including who gets the final roles. Filming movie on location in Ashland, Oregon. (6 min.)

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