Extra Helpings of Love Today for the Planet

The opening scene in "Into Eternity." Photo Heikki Färm F.S.C. courtesy of the Tribeca Film Festival. "Oceans" photo from Disney Pictures. Razia Said CD covershot from raziasaid.com.

IMAGINE building a gi-normous tomb three miles below earth for some remains – remains of the 300,000 tons of nuclear waste variety. Incidentally, it must not be disturbed for at least 100,000 years, lest Armageddon ensue. That’s what the Finnish are doing to atone for their share of nuclear waste. Danish filmmaker Michael Madsen uses this example as a raison d’etre for “Into Eternity.” In the documentary, he ruminates about how future civilizations can be forewarned to not touch that!

It’s fitting that “Into Eternity,” one of the 132 films in the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival, will have a screening today – Earth Day (at 5:45 p.m. at the Village East Cinema).

All over the world Earth Day is being celebrated and commemorated through film, talks, art exhibits, recycling initiatives, marches, protests, music, etc. This is the humble list that is capturing the imagination of Yours Truly.

Also showing at TFF today is “Climate of Change,” which I led off with yesterday in my TFF preview (at 5 p.m. SVA).“COC” puts the spotlight on various little people who are trying to make the earth a better, cleaner place where they live.

First, Disney brought us “Earth.” Today, the studio offers “Oceans.” Narrated by actor Pierce Brosnon, it takes us with directors/divers Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud into the ocean deep using state-of-the-art underwater technologies to explore the harsh realities therein and to observe the fascinating creatures that call it home. The film promises an “unprecedented” snapshot.

Razia Said, on of my favorite Gotham-based singer/songwriters, is celebrating Earth Day with a release party for her latest CD, “Zebu Nation” (at 9 p.m. at S.O.B.’s). RS conceived this record to help raise awareness about the devastating effects “of slash and burn agriculture and climate change” in her
native Madagascar. The Boston Globe says of “Zebu Nation” that "insistent, hypnotic rhythms share the bill with ethereal ballads ...” I’m inclined to agree about a record that pays homage to the rich musical culture of Malagasy.

Learn more about the Tribeca Film Festival and theater venue information at www.tribecafilm.com; check local movie listings for showings of “Oceans”; get tickets and reservations to Razia Said’s “Zebu Nation” CD release party at reception@sobs.com or contact S.O.B.’s at 212.243.4940; download a free song from “Zebu Nation” at http://razia.bandcamp.com/track/babonao-free-track-download; see a video link at http://razia.bandcamp.com/track/babonao-free-track-download, and purchase “Zebu Nation” at http://razia.bandcamp.com/.

CMJ Fest: A Few Films and a Ton of Music

Saul Williams plays the Blender Theater tonight during the 2009 CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival. Photo by Evan Cohen.

WILL Saul Williams stir things up tonight at the Blender Theater using a dash of electro hip hop with undertones of David Bowie? Who will win the all-metal battle of the bands tribute Saturday night at Le Poisson Rouge? In this corner is Tragedy giving props to the Bee Gees. Their opponent is the also aptly named Dangerous, paying respects to the King of Pop. Sounds like one of those see-it-to-believe-affairs.

And you will if you channel your body and energy into the 2009 CMJ Music Marathon & Film Fesitival, where through Saturday (24 Oct.), fans can have their fill of panels, showcases, more than 1,200 bands and a few films, too, in venues around Lower Manhattan and God’s country, Brooklyn.

Catch George Clooney, Ewan McGregor and Kevin Spacey tonight in “The Men Who Stare at Goats” about the convergence of a reporter, a special forces agent and a secret, psychic military unit. There’s a Q&A after. Stick around for “I Am A Man: From Memphis, A Lesson In Life,” a documentary about the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike in 1968. Some surviving members talk about the way it was. Closing out the film festival on Friday (23 Oct.) is “The Messenger” starring Woody Harrelson as an Army officer straight out of Iraq with lots of bad news to bear. Also closing the film component is Milla Jovovich in the fact-based thriller, “The Fourth Kind,” set in Alaska where people have gone missing under dubious circumstances.

The folks at CMJ claim that their music festival is the oldest music event in the country (film was added much later), and perhaps it is. For sure it is a five-day showcase for rising talent. And while it ain’t free, it’s cheap. Has a good pedigree, too. U2 played it long before Bono could get heads of state on the phone and before he could shame rich Western nations for their usury toward their poorer neighbors.

Saul Williams' show at the Blender Theater (127 E 23rd St./Gramercy) starts at 9 pm. Tickets: $22. “The Men Who Stare at Goats” starts at 7 p.m. “I Am A Man: From Memphis, A Lesson In Life” starts at 9:30 p.m. Both are showing at the Clearview Cinemas, 260 W. 23rd St./Chelsea.

Visit http://cmj.com/marathon/ for the complete 2009 CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival schedule, including: venues, times, admission and so forth.