Sonic Mirror
Sonic Mirror
| 25 April 2008 (USA)
Sonic Mirror Trailers

The multi-award-winning Finnish documentarian Mika Kaurismäki, brother of Aki Kaurismäki (The Man Without a Past), helms the nonfiction work Sonic Mirror -- a protracted exploration of rhythm as one of life's driving forces. Revered drummer Billy Cobham serves as host, taking the audience on a long musical journey around the world and through a myriad of musical genres and styles. Cobham, Kaurismäki, and co. segue from Western concert halls and stages to the music of African tribes performed by Brazilian street children to the distinct music of autistic patients. Along the way, the filmmakers raise serious questions about the function of music as an identifying force, a means of communication, and an emotional release; they also probe the enduring connections between group awareness and self-awareness. The film ultimately builds to a hugely affirming and cathartic expression of music as collective expression that unifies its performers in spirit.

Reviews
FilmCriticLalitRao

Famous Finnish director Mika Kaurismaki's documentary film "Sonic Mirror" is a good documentary film about the positive effects of music on society.He shows us that it is due to music that children from disadvantaged backgrounds in Brazil are able to overcome prejudices in order to do something worthwhile in their lives.We are shown young kids who are deeply engrossed in music as they believe that it would provide them with a platform to grow in their future lives.The tone of this film is absolutely positive in nature as neither poverty nor any kind of controversial issues such as violence are depicted in a manner to sensationalize these issues.Apart from music lovers,"Sonic Mirror" will surely please those viewers who would like to see a film based on music in order to have a rough idea about music as a therapeutic experience. The theme of Autistic people being healed by music is featured in Austrian segment of this film.Sonic Mirror speaks to us directly as it has been shot through a multifaceted journey undertaken by legendary drummer Billy Cobham who travels to countries such as Austria, Brazil,Finland and Nigeria.

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