the red violin

what a great movie! i've seen this one before and recently rewatched it. the story follows the life of a violin that was made in the 1500s as it goes up for auction. there are many people bidding on it and the film flashes back through the violin's 500 year journey to see where it has been. we start by learning about the man who made it with such loving care. then we go through and see some of the different people who have played it over the years and how those stories are a driving force for some of the different people who are bidding on it at the modern auction. we see a monastery bidding because it was a part of their collection for over one hundred years and plays an important part in the life of that church, a museum wants it because it was an inspiration for a famous composer, a chinese family wants it because it was a part of their family's anti-communism past, and a rich man wants it just because he's greedy! each of these flashbacks give so much life and depth to the journey of the violin and its importance. the stories are compelling and draw you in to care about each of the people who are bidding on the violin at the auction that by the end you dont really know who to be rooting for. an amazing story (well, stories) fantastically told.