An Oscar Winner's Profile of Yo-Yo Ma

"The Music of Strangers" might be the next "20 Feet from Stardom."

By Curtis Cook

Within the first few moments of this film, some of the world's best musicians are seen playing an eclectic tune in an open-air market adjacent to the sea, defying any notions one might have had about an orchestral documentary. Morgan Neville (director of 20 Feet From Stardom) returns to a musical theme while following Yo-Yo Ma's unlikely international supergroup through the struggles of war, bigotry, isolation and cultural exchange. As the musicians devise new takes on old traditions, they also find themselves questioning art's effectiveness against man's capacity for evil and passivity toward hate.

Rated PG-13. Playing at Fox Tower.

Critic's Grade: B.

Willamette Week

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Curtis Cook

Curtis Cook

Curtis Cook is a writer and standup comedian. Follow him on Twitter at @Curtis_Cook.

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