Movies: 'Saddest Music in the World' and 'Soldiers of Peace'

Ifc Films, Star Tribune

"The Saddest Music in the World"

By Andrew Newman, Special to the Star Tribune

Last update: June 11, 2009 - 5:49 PM

'THE SADDEST MUSIC IN THE WORLD'

Thursday: Times are hard, but they've been hard before. So what better way to cope with recession than some sadness and some beer, courtesy of director Guy Maddin's 2003 quirkfest "The Saddest Music in the World"? A search for the world's saddest music, led by a legless beer baron (Isabella Rossellini), leads viewers into an expressionist wonderland straight out of Murnau or Lang. Maddin will offer live commentary for the film, which is part of The Talkies series. (7 p.m. Thu., movie only; 9 p.m. Thur., screening with Maddin. Heights Theatre, 3951 Central Av. NE., Columbia Heights. $7-$22.)

'SOLDIERS OF PEACE'

Monday: Is an outbreak of peace upon us? It may seem unlikely, but Tim Wise's "Soldiers of Peace" seeks to explore the good work worldwide that's not being covered by the news media. Featuring interviews with Desmond Tutu, Sir Richard Branson, Prince Hassan of Jordan and more, the documentary suffers from being too broad -- veering from the war to Hurricane Katrina to global warming and back. But when it shows peace in progress (Jewish and Palestinian Arab students going to school together or a football game between two conflicting Kenyan communities), it is truly inspiring. (7:30 p.m. Mon., Heights Theatre, 3951 Central Av. NE., Columbia Heights. $25.)

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