Argentine composer Gustavo Santaolalla’s powerful theme “De Ushuaia a la Quiaca” is used to stunning effect at the very end of The Motorcycle Diaries (2004). Based on Ernesto Guevara’s [amazon text=eponymous&asin=0007172338] memoirs and on his companion Alberto Granado’s book [amazon text=Traveling with Che Guevara: The ... [Continue Reading]
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Dustin O’Halloran: Opus 37
Dustin O’Halloran (b. 1971) is a Californian-raised pianist and composer now based in Berlin. Influenced by classical composers like Erik Satie, Claude Debussy and Frédéric Chopin amongst others, Dustin O’Halloran is also associated with modern musicians like Arvo Pärt, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Nils Frahm or Peter Broderick. ... [Continue Reading]
Dinah Washington & Max Richter: This bitter earth/ On the nature of daylight
"This bitter earth/On the nature of daylight" is the song that concludes Martin Scorsese’s 2010 psychological thriller Shutter Island. None of the music for the film’s soundtrack was actually composed for the film but it was (expertly) curated by musician and long-time collaborator Robbie Robertson, whom Martin Scorsese ... [Continue Reading]
Julie Delpy: A waltz for a night
Before Sunset (2004) is an independent American film by Richard Linklater starring Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke. Both actors have also co-written the scenario. Having met nine years previously as students on a train journey between Budapest and Vienna but without exchanging addresses or phone numbers (see the 1995 prequel Before ... [Continue Reading]
Tony Gatlif: Vengo
Tony Gatlif (b. 1948) is a French film maker born in Algiers of a Romani mother. This family connection probably explains why almost every film by Tony Gatlif is concerned with the social, political and cultural alienation of gypsy communities across Europe. And why music as a way of life plays a central role in his film making. ... [Continue Reading]
Max Richter: The haunted ocean
Waltz with Bashir (2008) is a groundbreaking animated documentary by Israeli film maker Ari Folman. One night at a bar, an old friend tells director Ari about a recurring nightmare in which he is chased by 26 vicious dogs. Every night, the same number of beasts. The two men conclude that there's a connection to their Israeli ... [Continue Reading]
Nomad Soul Collective: Murmuration
"Murmuration" is an uplifting and unusual track with a 7/8 time signature by Nomad Soul Collective, a young London-based British band. Influenced by The Cinematic Orchestra, the collective came to prominence in late 2011 when the tune was used as the soundtrack to a short video which went viral on ... [Continue Reading]