Burma Cyclone Relief Benefit Screening
May 14th, 2008 by Gilbert Seah
Mystic Ball
A film by Greg Hamilton
Wednesday 4 June 2008 Bloor Cinema - 506 Bloor St. W.
7:00pm
Admission: $10
This is a special benefit screening with proceeds going directly to aid the people affected in Myanmar.
Myanmar (formerly Burma) was hit by Cyclone Nargis on May 3, 2008. The far south of the country was hit the worst and Yangon, the capital, was also hit badly. Over 60,000 people have died and 1.5 million people are at risk.
Directed and narrated by Greg Hamilton.
Produced by Matthew London and Greg Hamilton
Special Jury Award for Best Canadian Feature Film – Hot Docs
Most Popular Canadian Feature Film – Vancouver International Film Festival
Audience Award – Chicago Documentary Film Festival
People’s Choice Award for Best Feature Film – Whistler Film Festival
“Mystic Ball is a remarkable and uplifting film that provides an extremely rare and penetrating view into the lives of the people of Myanmar”.
—Terry McEvoy – Vancouver International Film Festival
What would drive a man to devote his life to a sport that no one else plays? At least nowhere outside Myanmar, one of the most inaccessible and mysterious countries in Asia.
Mystic Ball is the story of filmmaker Greg Hamilton’s journey deep into the culture of Chinlone, Myanmar’s traditional sport. Chinlone is a sport that is also dance and meditation. It combines the explosiveness of martial art with the elegance of ballet. It features extraordinary acrobatics and foot skills that would dazzle any soccer player.
The object of the game is to keep a woven rattan ball up in the air using only the feet and knees. But the real aim is to create something beautiful. Though very much a team sport, there is no opposing team, and no winners or losers.
See an example: http://www.mysticball-themovie.com/trailerclips.html
Beautifully shot, this intimate film follows Greg as he pursues his dream of becoming an accomplished chinlone player, while subtly capturing his search for family, community and love. This inspiring story will give you a sense of the mystical, and encourage a closer look at your own journey.
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We have just watched the beautiful movie Mystic Ball.
It came to our home as we are members of the Spiritual Cinema Circle. After seeing the movie, where the beauty of the people and the culture in Myanmar is so well portrayed, I felt moved to want to do something to help the cyclone victims. I actually thought of showing the film as a way to raise money for the victims. I was happy to see your site on line, and wonder how the showing went. I also wonder, where you got the film, as I don’t think I would have the right to show the film that I have. Do you know how I would go about getting a copy to show here in Stratford? I also wonder if you know if Greg Hamilton has had any luck bringing his chinlone players to Canada. I think it would be a great way to raise funds for the cyclone victims.
Thanks . Anne-Marie
For more details on the film, the director, set up interviews, request screeners:
Hi Anne-Marie,
Thanks for your kind reply. Here is some information that might help you contact Greg Hamilton.
Greg Hamilton: h/o: 416-595 9017
Official Site & Trailer: http://www.mysticball-themovie.com