Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts (2007)
Scott Hicks won an Emmy and a Peabody for his work writing and directing documentary pieces for the Discovery Channel. He has also been noted for his more fictive leanings with Shine (1996) and Snow Falling on Cedars (1999). While his portrait of Glass doesn’t push the boundaries of documentary or creative filmmaking, it is, nevertheless, an engaging and humanistic portrayal of the artist. The film was also shown as part of the PBS American Masters series.
Hicks undertook the project to commemorate Glass’s 70th birthday, shadowing the composer with a hand-held HD camera for18 months. The result? A very accessible film that borders perhaps on being a little too chummy, about a rather complex and often inaccessible artist and his art.
The DVD, released in the US by indie distributor Koch Lorber, includes over three hours of extras including deleted scenes, extended interview sequences, live performances, and director commentary.
Other documentaries on Philip Glass that may be of interest include Music With Roots in the Aether: Opera for Television - Tape 2: Philip Glass - produced and directed by Robert Ashly (1976), Philip Glass from Four American Composers, directed by Peter Greenaway (1983), A Composer's Notes: Philip Glass and the Making of an Opera, directed by Michael Blackwood (1985), and Looking Glass, directed by Éric Darmon (2005).
Jennifer Dawson
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Grading
- Story NA
- Acting NA
- Visuals B+
- Originality/Innovation C+
- Enjoyability B+
- Overall B
- DVD Extras B+
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