Review: The Seekers Guide to Harry Potter
| | Reality Films has produced a new DVD entitled The Seekers Guide to Harry Potter, and UK distributor Wienerworld kindly sent us some free copies to review and give away to you visitors as competition prizes.
Here is the official synopsis of the film:
The Seekers Guide to Harry Potter takes you on a journey and exploration into the underlying themes of J.K Rowling’s fantastically successful Harry Potter series. Drawing from her unique background and personal experiences, the author provides original insights into the mysticism, magic and symbolism within the world of Harry Potter. Dr. Geo Trevarthen is an academic who has painstakingly researched the Harry Potter craze. She goes far beyond the normal criteria and steps into a world of real magic and its shamanic past. In doing so she reveals the origins of many of the elements found within the novels and films. |
HPSupporters ReviewA Seeker's Guide to Harry Potter is an interesting exploration of the underlying symbolism, themes and messages in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. A small scale, intimate production, it is shot in the appropriate location of Edinburgh (where JK penned much of the series) and is presented to us by Dr Geo Trevarthen who comes from a background of Shamanism. The film, therefore, may not sit comfortably with everybody. Its author's ideas and beliefs as well as the style, imagery and music used throughout strongly convey this spritual Celtic discipline.Nevertheless, there were some fascinating elements examined in depth by this avid reader of our favourite story. She probes some real world magical and alchemic history and how they inspired JK's writing. For example I learnt about the ancient origins of characters' names, the symbolic nature and history of the golden snitch, the influences behind the four school houses, and the layers of meaning beneath these. Dr Trevarthen also makes intriguing parallels between different parts of the novels and gives her thoughts on how some of Rowling's messages can connect with our own real world lives. One of the interesting issues she raised is that of love, a key feature in Harry's life, and something that she says is hugely important in the early stages of real-life childhood, bringing her in line with today's psychological and socialogical theories. Further themes she explores include the moral neutrality of magic, following true will over whim, and Death and the triangle of the three Hallows.With future re-reads of the HP books I'm sure I shall now view many components of the canon in much more depth than I previously have. The film reinforces for me what a triumph of storytelling J.K. Rowling has created and the incredible expanse of meaning behind her stories. For those Harry Potter fans with spiritual inclinations like those of this film's author and want to look at the novels from that perspective, or for those merely with an interest in getting beneath the surface of the books, this is a film you'll very much appreciate. For me, the DVD shall fit nicely in my collection of all things Harry Potter.If you like the sound of this DVD then tomorrow evening on
Twitter we will be giving away a copy to a lucky follower. Unfortunately, for postal reasons, the competition will only be open to people from the UK.
Feb
24
Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 took home the Excellence in Fantasy Film when the Costume Designers Guild Awards were announced Tuesday night. The guild represents costume designers, assistant costume designers, and costume illustrators working at the highest levels of skill and expertise in motion pictures, television and commercials.
A big congratulations goes to Jany Temime and the rest of her team for this wonderful honor. The complete list of winners can be seen below.
Get the whole story »
Feb
24
The UK publishers of the Harry Potter series, Bloomsbury, has announced the release of an illustrated version of the seven book set. It is unknown whether it will be similar to the US edition of the books where Mary Grandpre’s drawings start each chapter. Bloomsbury had this to say of the new book set.
We are pleased to announce that as part of our long term strategy for Harry Potter we intend to publish illustrated editions of all seven Harry Potter books in a rolling program from 2013 onward in addition to our partnership on e-books with the Pottermore website.
Unfortunately, there is no update on when the BETA testing for Pottermore will cease and no time frame for when the e-books will be released. We will keep you informed of any new information when it becomes available. Thanks to Snitchseeker for the breaking news!
Feb
23
The Blair Partnership, JK Rowling’s literary agency, have just officially announced the massively exciting news that JK Rowling will soon be releasing a new book for adults! They don’t give much away, saying “Further details will be announced later in the year.”
And a handwritten note from Jo on their site reads:
Although I’ve enjoyed writing it just as much, my next novel will be very different from the Harry Potter series.
Stay tuned for more news on this in the weeks and months ahead!
Update: We’ve now learnt from Publishers Lunch that the book will be published by Little, Brown. Get the whole story »
