http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=852437

The jury commented: “In her directorial debut, which explores the journey of a jazz drummer determined to meet a shaman and grandmaster musician, Emma Franz connects with two very different worlds in such an imaginative and compelling way that deepens our appreciation of diverse cultural forms and shows us how we can become immeasurably enriched when we open up ourselves to different cultural experiences.”

The Australian premiere screening at the Melbourne International Film Festival was a memorable and moving occasion. The 400-seat theatre at Greater Union sold out well in advance and the entire audience sat riveted as the credit roll ended and Pansori singer Bae Il-Dong’s voice tore through the darkness; initiating an intense and unforgettable performance from himself, Kim Dong-Won and Simon Barker. The standing ovation and encore was true testament to these incredible musicians. One only wishes there was the possibility to have them present at every screening…

Further screenings for Melbourne and Sydney are being planned, so stay tuned and remember to book early!

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“Intangible Asset no. 82 gives us the rare pleasure of witnessing a world of true musical love and commitment. From Australian jazz giant Simon Barker’s quest for expanding his musical and personal universe, to the tale of the Korean shaman drum master Kim Seok-Chul whom he sought out, Emma Franz weaves a tale that is both classic and of our time. In this secret world of visionaries and spirits, a new story unfolds that shows us that today’s musical community is as strong as it’s practitioners beliefs are.”

- Greg Cohen (bassist; Ornette Coleman group, John Zorn’s Masada Quartet, Tom Waits)

“In my opinion, it may be the most profound film of its kind that we will ever show on the channel.”

- Michal Shapiro (Link TV, U.S.A.)

“Intangible Asset Number 82 is a fantastic film. A look into a world I never knew existed. Totally inspiring. It blew my mind. Thank you.”

- Bill Frisell (Grammy Award winning guitarist)

“Intriguing debut feature by budding documaker Emma Franz. The climactic meeting with visibly frail Kim Seok-Chul is genuinely affecting.”

- Joe Leydon (Variety Magazine)

“A fascinating trip from the very first stop. 4 and ½ stars.”

- Jay Seaver (efilmcritc)

“Wow… this film absolutely blew me away! Even if you’re not a drummer, or musically inclined, there is an important message in this film for you, too. I cannot recommend this documentary enough! Awesome! and then some…”

- Austin Daze

“A masterly conceived and filmed documentary, ‘Intangible Cultural Asset No. 82′ represents a beautiful balance between an educational document and a moving human drama.”

- Dr. Nathan Hesselink (Ethnomusicologist, University of British Colombia)

“Sensitive, confident, but also demonstrating a deeper understanding of music, and the creative process in general. So many discussions on Art today focus on what and how art is being done, but Franz manages to go beyond this to ask a more important question – why.  Why is music an essential part of life? The film deals with this without implicitly telling us the answer. We discover it through a kind of participation which all art initiates; a participation of the viewer. It is beautiful and inspiring.”

- Rafi Segal (Architect, Author)

“[Intangible Asset Number 82] blew my mind away. It takes the viewers on the journey, involving them more and more. I found it quite fabulous, moving and unexpected.”

- Paul LePetit (Film Critic, Sunday Telegraph)

“Intangible Asset 82 has deeply touched me ever since I saw it for the very first time. Beyond words, the film dives into the mixing pot of cultural diversity, bringing to the audience a wonderful insight into the similarities and synchronicities of different cultures through the unique and most universal language of music. Thru the eyes of director Emma Franz, we can feel that believing in art and intuition is still one of the best roads one can take.”

- Rodolfo Stroeter (Music producer, award winning Bassist with Gilberto Gil, Joyce, Tutty Moreno and others)

“A very deep and unique film, [Intangible Asset Number 82] manages to capture those slight but significant moments which are so difficult to portray in cinema.”

- Ryota Kotani (NHK, Japan)

“It’s not often we’re given an opportunity to experience life and music through the eyes and ears of people who perceive them so utterly differently from the way we do ourselves but Emma Franz’s film tries to make it possible—and succeeds admirably.”

- Bill Leak (painter, cartoonist, writer; excerpt from review in Extempore Jazz Literary Journal)

“[Franz] is clearly a dedicated documentarian, with the ability to suss out narrative in a complex story.”

- Katie Alderman (Walrus Magazine, Canada)

“In the true tradition of transformative filmmaking, Emma Franz has documented an artist’s personal odyssey that results in a universal cultural epiphany. Intangible Asset #82ʼ is that rare work of alchemy where the power of music and film combine to transform character and transport an audience through art.”

- Richard Lorber (Lorber HT Digital)

“A sublime ending.”

- Chris Knight (National Post, Canada)

“[Intangible Asset Number 82] had a flow that resonated with the subject matter in a most glorious fashion… Incredibly entertaining on its own, [the film is] also a special gift for those who are wise enough and aware enough to grasp its import.”

- Dony Wynn (Drummer; Robert Palmer, Steve Winwood, Patty LaBelle)

“Franz does an incredible job. Her lighting (mostly natural) is beautiful and her images are powerful. She is able to capture a singer perched on a waterfall and a private shamanic ceremony, both difficult circumstances under which to film, and disappears into both scenes easily so that the audience feels like its participating in the action… I found myself totally captivated by Barker’s journey and Franz’s strong imagery.”

- Ellen Spiro (University of Texas)

“[Intangible Asset Number 82] is a testament to the power of music and mysticism.”

– Justin Mover (Washington City Paper)

The Australian premiere of Intangible Asset Number 82 is part of the 2009 Melbourne International Film Festival program. The screening will be followed by a special performance by Simon Barker and Korean musicians Bae Il-Dong and Kim Dong-Won who have flown from Korea for this one-off event.

SUNDAY 2^nd AUGUST, at 4:30pm

Greater Union Cinema, Melbourne

(131 Russell Street – between Little Collins & Bourke St)

Tickets can be booked via the Melbourne International Film Festival website

“Looking back now, I don’t know how I lived like that. But I believe in reincarnation, and I believe I was born with this destiny.”  - Bae Il-Dong [Korean pansori singer, recalling the seven years he spent living by a waterfall learning to sing]

What lengths will people go to for their music? How do they discover the tools of self-expression and develop an individual voice? Where does the calling come from? What does it mean to be a musician in modern times?

Tackling these questions and more, Australian singer Emma Franz documents long time friend and colleague, Simon Barker – an Australian drummer acclaimed as one of the most persuasive and individual voices in drumming today – as he searches for enigmatic Korean Shaman, Kim Seok-Chul; a man he believes to be one of the world’s great improvisers.

After hearing a recording some time ago, Barker made a commitment to find and learn from the shaman. Yet despite his official designation as South Korea’s 82^nd Intangible Asset, Kim Seok-Chul had remained elusive. After seven years of setbacks and obstacles, and with the shaman in his eighties, Barker’s commitment had intensified and he returned to Korea for a seventeenth time. It is at this point that the film commences, his ongoing search creating the narrative against which his personal and musical transformations are revealed. Barker’s journey becomes a rite of passage, as he has meaningful encounters with the engaging and exotic characters who will eventually lead him to the shaman under portentous circumstances.

Franz documented the journey observationally in High Definition, later utilising the intimacy of a thought diary, various concert footage, interviews, and super 8 elements to examine a deeper philosophical search for the tools of self-expression. The result is a layered story that provides intimate insight into the life of a creative musician, as he is inspired and transformed, and showcases music as a universal language.

After debuting at the Sao Paulo International Film Festival in Brazil, where it was nominated by the audience for Best Documentary, Intangible Asset Number 82 has gone on to screen at some of the worlds most respected film and documentary festivals including AFI SilverDocs and South By South West in the U.S.A., and Hot Docs in Canada. It is now headed for Egypt, Israel and South Africa, with European dates to follow.

Intangible’s North American debut at South By South West in Austin, Texas went off with a bang. Nice couple of pretty full houses at the Alamo; a beautiful old theatre with loads of personality and food and drink service throughout the film (though it can be distracting with some of the foil wrapped dishes!). It was an honour to screen at the huge cinema space at the convention centre on the closing night of the festival. ‘Intangible Asset No. 82′ followed ‘Saint Misbehavin’ – the Wavy Gravy Story’ – one of my personal favorites of the festival. An entertaining, moving and inspirational film, Saint Misbehaving is a wonderful portrait of a creative and unique man who has lived his life spreading a message of peace and offering a helping hand to others with unfailing good humour and positivity despite numerous personal hardships.

The launch in Sao Paulo, Brazil, was really a beautiful time for me. The festival itself had a wonderful team, a great line up of films, and good audience turn out. Intangible Asset did well, being voted in the top 6 documentaries by the audience and having 4 repeat screening at the end of the festival as part of the best-of-fest – a wonderful outcome for the film’s debut.

Always having wanted to visit Brazil, this was really a great way to do it, with immediate introductions to creative, active, talented and generous people. Music every night and loads of laughter, dancing, mayhem and fun, I can’t wait to get back there, and I’m working hard on achieving just that. I can’t thank everyone enough for their generosity of spirit and for making the trip something that will be eternally etched in my memory and my heart.