A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Rehearsing a Dream

Date Viewed: 2/20/07

Details:

Produced & directed by: Karen Goodman & Kirk Simon

Score: ++

The Review: As a science geek, I am in full sympathy with the talented high school artists & performers who are the core of this excellent documentary.

The NFAA (National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts) sponsors an ARTS Week in Miami to which are invited the best artists from high schools around the country, where they have the chance to train with luminaries in their fields, to meet their fellow students, and to get a massive dose of motivation and interest. Scholarships are available. This film follows a variety of students in dance, jazz, photography, classical music and a selection of other disciplines. As an example of the strength of those who are involved as tutors, Michael Tilson Thomas was overseeing classical music performance.

The comments by the students as they go through their total immersion week are telling: "I learned I'm not weird" and "this is one week of art utopia!" For many, it was this chance to have their artistic interests praised and fed, something that motivated them working toward an art career -- after all, the general high school student body appears more concerned with sports than with art or science. ARTS week provides a powerful validation for their interest.

The program is not that dissimilar from the (now defunct) NSF-sponsored summer schools back in the mid-60's and 70's: an opportunity to learn, to get scientifically juiced, to develop a feel for advanced study in the sciences or mathematics, and to have fun with other like-minded students in a different geography. As the attendee of one of these summer sessions back in 1965 at Humboldt State College, I found the total immersion experience in oceanography, marine biology and mathematics a fascinating experience. It was a summer that I still remember fondly -- as I'm sure the NFAA ARTS week students do as well.

Recommended.

One of the 2006 Academy Award nominees for documentary short feature; others included The Blood of Yingzhou District, Recycled Life, and Two Hands.

(17-Mar-07)

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