Film series celebrates Daarstad's Academy Award win, nominations

Folks, I have been all nervous for the last week or so, and here’s why. Recently, Erik Daarstad stopped by my house on his way to the airport wearing a determined look on his face. I asked where he was headed and he replied, “To Los Angeles to shoot a priest.” Now I think that is enough said for you to know why I was so nervous.

In his frame of mind, I was afraid he would not get back to Sandpoint in time for the next “Visit with Erik” planned for today, Feb 26, at the Panida’s Little Theater. I knew Mr. Daarstad was planning on all of us coming to visit him to see four of his short documentaries and this being Oscar season he had chosen one of his films that won an Oscar and three others that received Academy Award nominations.

I am glad to report that my fears have been allayed and all is well. Erik is home and is looking forward to seeing you today at 2:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. for a visit.

Take a minute and read below what is in store for you, but before you do, I need to tell you that the priest he went to shoot is the subject of Erik’s next documentary. His name is Father Gregory Boyle and he has dedicated his ministry to working with at-risk and former gang involved youth.

I am sure you will be seeing this documentary at a future “A Visit with Erik.”

The winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film in 1968, “Why Man Creates” was produced and directed by Saul Bass.

A beloved classic of the short film genre, “Why Man Creates” is a series of explorations, episodes and comments on creativity by a master of conceptual design. Humor, satire and irony are combined with serious questions about the creative process and how it comes into play for different individuals.

The film begins with a humorous history of the world man has created with ideas, indicating how ideas begin in the free play of creativity, then shows the sheer labor of the creative process itself.

Society’s judgment leads to a parable of the “oddball” creative mind in the form of a literal, nonconformist bouncing ball.

A conversation in which two snails discuss radical ideas versus institutions is followed by a look at scientific research and the creative mind’s acceptance of commitment regardless of time and disappointment.

Finally the connective thread among creative people past and present is suggested. The film ends by emphasizing the uniqueness and creative potential of each individual.

Nominated for Best Live Action Short in 1977, “Notes on The Popular Arts”, was also produced and directed by Saul Bass.

This series of lighthearted episodes illuminates the fantasy lives of those who daily watch, listen and dream in the worlds of television, movies, popular music and print.

By turns lyrical and funny, it shows how the popular arts serve as vehicles for self projection, experience, expansion and fantasy fulfillment. The film utilizes a variety of techniques - live action, animation and special effects - to communicate some trenchant ideas on our American involvement with popular culture.

“Never Give Up”, nominated for best Documentary short in 1995, tells the extraordinary story of Vienna born musician and conductor Herbert Zipper who survived Dachau, Buchenwald and a Japanese concentration camp to become one of the great music educators of the world, continuing at 92 to bring music to the inner city schools of America.

“We see in the attentive eyes of the pupils that Herbert Zipper teaches more than music.

“Never Give Up” is an elegant tribute to the indomitable character of this 92 year old composer and conductor” — Kathy Kavanaugh, San Francisco International Film Festival.

Nominated for Best Documentary Short in 2001 and directed by Freida Lee Mock, “Sing!” tells the story of the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus and how a community group, amid severe cutbacks in the arts, is able to develop a children’s chorus that is one of the best in the country. Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson thinks every child needs to sing and can be taught to sing beautifully. “Sing!” is about the importance of art and music in children’s lives.