From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China

If you are a classical music enthusiast, the name Isaac Stern should already exist in your musical vocabulary. His name rings recognition and great stature. I first came across the documentary when I was looking through the shelf at my local library in Washington state. I read his name and smiled. Eventually, I purchased the DVD due to my liking.

As I watched the documentary, I came across another familiar name - the famous Yo Yo Ma. I was able to learn about a favorite cellist - Jian Wang. The focus of the film was to follow Stern's trip in China as he taught a new modern way of playing to Chinese orchestra players. China opened their doors for new thinking.

The players were on a rigid regime of precise and perfection on their note playing. Yo Yo Ma and Jian Wang were young students during the filming.

Stern came in and showed how to play with the emotions and creativity. There was a struggle for the players since they are based on a certain techniques and musical methods. The Western thinking meeting the Eastern methods made the film remarkable and pivotal on changing cultural thoughts and education.

I had the pleasure of seeing both Yo Yo Ma and Wang in their performances. My heart always stops and enjoys their movements and breath through the cello.

Best Boy

The subject of the documentary is a handicapped 52 years old man who lives his life under the care of his parents. They have been his caregivers and raised him without teaching viable life skills. After being warned, the film displays the progression of a dependent man on becoming independent once his elderly parents die.

At the time, I didn't have a magnetic attraction to the contents. I am far removed from any disabled or handicapped people. I do have a caring heart for ones who I do meet. Now, I believe that I somehow have a connection. The past week, I have been bedridden with limited restrictions of movement and unable to walk more than 1000 feet. I cannot even walk up and down the stairs without stopping. I become very dizzy and weak.

I, myself, became physically disabled. Unfortunately, I lost an overwhelming, dangerous, and severe level of blood which in return could have caused a heart attack or stroke. There were three times that I thought that I was going to blank out and die. Adding to the dire situation, I asked for someone to watch over me in case I needed emergency help. Unfortunately, there is no one near me to do the good act. At the same time, I am terribly stubborn and independent when it comes the time when others must take care of me and going to the emergency room. This incident gave me the realization of developing stronger relationships with nurturing, caring people around me. I value what I have in my life now. I hold on to dear life. I look forward to recovering and healing 100% in the next week. I am lucky that I didn't become permanently disabled.

Perhaps, I need to do more charity work and have good friends who are nurses, volunteers, and doctors. I have those types of friends in the northwest, Hawaii, Oregon, and Boston. All who wanted to help are from areas outside of California. I find the latest documentaries on the Academy list on helping the less unfortunate is an amazing, unselfish and altruistic act that someone chooses to do in his or her life. I admire the parents who will do anything for their children to provide them a good life.

Being bedridden and thinking about life, I really value the love and care of my parents and the friends who always have been there. I could say that the film displays the affection and responsibilities of one has for their child. In return, they were able to care for the man to live independently. I feel the same about my parents. I would like to view the contents again to truly feel the love of a child even at an adult age and limited conditions.

Scared Straight!

The film follows a group of troubled teenagers as they visit a local prison. The focus of the program is to literally scared the teenagers from leading down a criminal path. They are shown where prisoners live in dire conditions. The prisoners even use scared tactics and threats so the children do not end up in the same place.

The documentary should be a requirement in the classroom for students whether they possess good or bad behavior. I know a few parents who are battling with teenaged children who are addicted to drugs and alcohol; then run away from home. They live a criminal life on the streets. It is heartbreaking to hear these stories. The parents are completely helpless and live steady lives from being a nurse to owning companies. After viewing the film, sometimes, I wonder if I should recommend the film. Majority of the time, they have to spend money on a rehabilitation center for the child. But unfortunately, the teenager ends up back on the streets.

Although I hear heartbreaking, struggling stories, I believe that the documentary really demonstrates a successful intervention program. At the end, they interview the teenagers before and after. Many of them steer away from crime. They do not want to live rest of their lives in prison. Some wasn't so lucky. Overall, the program does help many teenagers as they interview them as successful adults.