‘Babies: Born To Be Good?’ Airs on CBC ‘s The Nature of Things

The Stormy Nights Productions documentary ‘Born To Be Good?’ will air on CBC’s The Nature of Things on Oct. 25th. Directed by Eileen Thalenberg and produced by Gail McIntyre and Amélie Blandchard, BABIES: BORN TO BE GOOD? is a lively look at the moral trajectory of children from the first months of life onward. This film asks the questions:  “Where does our moral compass come from?  Where do our notions of good and bad, our sense of justice and fairness originate?  How do we decide who to trust, who to help?" Blending scientific research and scenes of children in their own environments, the documentary reveals that children seem to have a moral sense from the very get-go.

Here’s a piece from the score by John Welsman:

BTBG CBC title.png

Vanishing Point to Open Banff Mountain Film Festival

Hot on the heels of the film’s successful Ontario premiere at TIFF Bell Lightbox at ‘Planet In Focus’ on October 12, 2012, the NFB feature documentary ‘Vanishing Point’, directed and produced by filmmakers Stephen A. Smith and Julia Szucs, is scheduled to open the ‘Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival’ on October 27, 2012.

Peter Wintonick, International Editor of ‘Point Of View’ magazine, describes the film: "Excellent film, finely observed. Subtle honouring of a disappearing culture and a disappearing Gaia/Earth… the central character is very strong and wise, and curious. Beautifully shot and edited, in a natural, almost real time way.”

VP_POSTER.png

The film’s score, by John Welsman, features two rare instruments played by Mark Korven - the sarello and nyckelharpa. John reflects: “While researching instruments that might help convey the cold, austere ‘other worldly’ aspect of the far north, I chose the Sarello, which is a cross between a cello and a North Indian sarangi, built by luthier Tony Duggan-Smith and designed by Tony and Mark. It’s a one-of-a-kind instrument that sounds quite unlike any other on the planet. Its set of sympathetic vibrating strings under the main three strings give it an indescribable sound.” On a number of themes, Korven played the Swedish nyckelharpa, which has been likened to a ‘bowed hurdy-gurdy’. Here's a link to the website for the film.

Here's a scene from the film that features both instruments:

‘West Wind’ in Canada’s Top 5 Highest Grossing Films of the Week

White Pine Pictures ‘West Wind – The Vision of Tom Thomson’ was in Canada’s top five grossing films in its first week at TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto, and has now been held over for a third week. The  feature documentary, co-directed by Michèle Hozer and Peter Raymont, examines the life and works of Tom Thomson, one of Canada’s most beloved artists. Performing on Welsman’s score for the film are Ireland’s Ronan Browne on pennywhistle, Winona Zelenka on cello, and Anne Lindsay on violin. Listen to the Opening Theme.

West Wind at Bell Lightbox April 20-26.jpg

"Oh Love" Nominated for Genie for Best Song

3 March 2010: Nurse.Fighter.Boy has received an impressive ten 2010 Genie Award nominations, one being for ‘Achievement in Music – Best Song’ – John Welsman and Cherie Camp for ‘Oh Love’.

key_art_nurse_fighter_boy portrait yellow.jpg

Modra Features Music by John Welsman and Winona Zelenka

30 Jan 2010: Modra, Ingrid Veninger’s follow-up feature to her indie mini hit ‘Only’ features a spare and understated acoustic score. As well as John’s guitar and ukulele playing, the score features a cello performance by Winona Zelenka. 

Nurse.Fighter.Boy Gets Theatrical Release

2 Jan 2008: Nurse.Fighter.Boy – Directed by Charles Officer, the feature film premiered at Toronto International Film Festival in 2008, gets it’s theatrical release in Canada in February. Its US debut will be in New York at MOMA in April 2009.