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.
Apr
27
This past Sunday, Killer Films announced the end of principal photography for the new murder-drama Kill Your Darlings, starring Daniel Radcliffe as Allen Ginsberg. Here is a quote from Killer Films Facebook page:
That’s a wrap on principal photography of KILL YOUR DARLINGS! Thanks to a great cast and crew! #Partyatyourhouse
The photos below are courtesy of Snitchseeker.com and show Radcliffe being filmed in a New York City park as Ginsberg and at the wrap party thrown by PR team Fully Branded Media.
The film is set for release in 2013 and is rumored to debut at Sundance and Cannes film festivals.
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Apr
24
In a recent presentation at a London Book Fair conference, Pottermore CEO Charlie Redmayne discussed a lot of different topics to do with Harry Potter, JK Rowling and mainly Pottermore.
Among many interesting points, one of the most notable things he said was that the next books after Philosopher’s Stone would be released “over the next few weeks and months”. He also says the site is “currently very limited… not amazing yet” but will get “better and better” as more books and content are made available.
Listen to the whole thing right here:
Here is a summary thanks to Hypable.com: Get the whole story »
Apr
19
Tom Felton, the actor who played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter series, just recently became the newest campaign ambassador to END7. The mission of END7 is to see the end of 7 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) by 2020. Below is a photo of Tom in his END7 t-shirt.
Felton had this to say about his involvement with END7:
I was inspired to support the END7 campaign when I learned how easy it was for young people to get involved. By donating just a few pence, anyone can help get these treatments to people who need them most and hopefully change the future for the millions of children growing up in developing countries around the world.
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