Sunday, 9 October, 2005
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There's a long history of films that involve just toting a camera around the world and seeing what develops -- from the comically lurid '60s "Mondo" films to artfilms like Gambling, Gods And LSD that invariably trace the meaning of life to India. Mana: Beyond Belief -- a U.S./ Dutch/German/French co-production from American filmmakers Peter Friedman and Roger Manley -- seems to serve notice that it will follow in the steps of the latter with its opening lecture from a Maori tribesman on the subject of "mana." Mana turns out to be a kind of universal energy shared by objects, animals and people (and entirely based in our belief on the power of the object). It's clear we're to embark on a quest for mana, but it's worth noting that the Maori grins mischievously during his spiel, suggesting the whole concept has an element of humour. It all seems to be a rationalization for a plain and simple absurdist's-eye view of the world. But who really needs an intellectual underpinning for footage of Japanese businesspeople getting wasted on sake at a Cherry Blossom festival? Or of a Hindu making "offerings" to Ganesha on a website by dragging icons of food. Or of extreme personalities on display at an Elvis convention in Memphis, or of a nutcase who's invented a giant electric generator to transport people on beams of magnetic energy? That stuff's just funny all on its own. One segment is so satirical it belongs on The Daily Show: A North Carolina congressman distributes flags certified to have "flown over the Capitol," which are raised and lowered in a production-line frenzy. Other segments evoke other moods. There's a scene of celebrants at a mass in the presence of the Shroud of Turin that even this cynic found moving. And I found myself feeling sorry for a painting called the Golden Helmet, a supposed work of Rembrandt so famous it was called "the male Mona Lisa." Until it was revealed as a fake. Now it sits, forlorn and ignored in a corner of a German gallery. Even the curators who blew the whistle on it seem regretful. That these stories tell themselves so well is a bit of a surprise. Still, the narrationless approach is a bit of a fraud, implying, as it does, that the filmmakers are objectively removed. In fact, some scenes involve actors. And there is the odd moment that begs for a response -- as when a collector of famous dead people's body parts claims to have "Amelia Earhart's finger." That would've interrupted the flow of mana, I guess. Mana: Beyond Belief. Believe it! Mana is a wacky travelogue. MANA: BEYOND BELIEF * * * 1/2 What: Documentary written and directed by Peter Friedman and Roger Manley Classification: PG Where: Hyland Cinema, 240 Wharncliffe Rd. When: Oct. 7 to 13; for show times, call 913-0313 or visit www.hylandcinema.com Tickets: $9; $6.50 for members (annual membership fee $10) Today Headlines
Sunfest concerts keep hot music coming all winter longEntertainment Buzz Wilson still a redneck, despite success CD Reviews Thumbsucker true look at teen's world Mana a wacky adventure Savoury Semillon a secret no longer Chicken crepes hit any time Top 10 Books Simple Plan to play JLC as part of Canadian tour Walpole uses own idols at first headlining show Cocaine a fact of life in fashion world, insiders say
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