2022 CAMDEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
On March 11, 2011 the largest earthquake in recent history occurred in Japan, and what followed was far worse. Tsunami, death, destruction, and more plagued the country; families were ripped apart, and things have never quite been the same for many residents of Japan. This documentary aims to connect each and every one of us through the things that have occurred on our planet, and it plans to level the playing field for every single person on planet earth. While some individuals have spent the last decade searching for lost loved ones or dealing with trauma, each and every one of us shares something–All of our Heartbeats are Connected through Exploding Stars.
All of our Heartbeats are Connected through Exploding Stars is slow-moving, and that’s intentional–because this allows viewers to absorb all of the information. The information present in the film is pertinent, whether viewers initially understand this or not; and the sentiment present throughout the course of the film is inviting. Its ability to reach viewers on an emotional level is an important part of why they will be able to appreciate the film.
The narration, to many, may appear to be incredibly boring. It took me some time to appreciate what the narrator was saying, because her voice is so low, so matter-of-fact, and void of any emotion whatsoever. Much like the rest of the All of our Heartbeats are Connected through Exploding Stars, the narration seems to move at a snail’s pace, and for the rest of the film that doesn’t necessarily work–but for the narration, it’s exactly what the film needs.
The subtle political undertones toward the end of All of our Heartbeats are Connected through Exploding Stars steals from the film’s narrative, undermining what Director Jennifer Rainsford had been trying to accomplish throughout the majority of her film. She veers ever so slightly from the point that she’s been trying to make throughout her film, the idea that we all experience tragedy and that we are all connected, and takes a moment to acknowledge the political climate of the United States. Had it been relevant to the rest of the film, it could have been overlooked or even appreciated–but it has no bearing on the overall film (and it seems that the only thing that it might do is frustrate viewers).
I’ve been told by my students that my reading voice puts them to sleep, not because it’s boring, but because it’s soothing and calming–that’s how I feel about All of our Heartbeats are Connected through Exploding Stars’ narrator. She, whoever she is, has such a calming voice–and it transports viewers to a place of solace and relaxation. She is the catalyst for the film’s success, and as she educates the world, clearly expressing its path from the beginning until now, viewers feel fully immersed in this titan of a journey. All of our Heartbeats are Connected through Exploding Stars is a stunning film, regardless of how slow it moves at times. The beautiful sentiment is moving, and, again, the narrator pulls everyone in and everything together brilliantly.
Directed by Jennifer Rainsford.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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