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kirty-90586
Reviews
Fiddlin' (2018)
What a Moving Portrayal of a Living Piece of American History!
Have you ever wished that you could claim the heritage of descending from the founding fathers of America? I left FIDDLIN' wishing I was one of the close-knit Semones family, whose daughters grew up in the area and attended the Fiddlers Convention in Galax, Virginia every summer. I wish I could share their sense of heritage which I sensed watching this glimpse of living history. The Semones sisters have truly invested their hearts in this film, as evident in the dignified portrayal of these beautiful people and their uniquely musical heritage. There were no professional actors, nevertheless the production and post-production staff created a well-done documentary that not only kept my interest, but also ignited my imagination and compassion for the hardships that go with living in an economically depressed area. My heart was captured by the humble, plain-spoken folks I met through their interviews. And the entertainment was truly extraordinary! I caught myself trying to figure out the footwork of swift flat-footing dancers, and the talent of even the youngest fiddler was jaw-dropping. I loved how some of the youth walked around introducing themselves and joining in friendly jam sessions with strangers. They have a quiet confidence rarely seen in kids these days. I was moved to tears to hear one musician talk of her discovery of her musical talent, which miraculous pulled her out of a manic-depressive life of darkness into a life of joy and new friendships with other musicians. The Fiddlers' culture and Galax lifestyle reflects a simplicity that eludes most Americans today. I drove wistfully away from the lovely Reeves Theatre & Cafe in Elkin NC, less than two hours' drive from my home. I felt that I had gone back in time. I look forward in time to my opportunity to attend in person the Galax Fiddlers Convention next summer, come hell or high water. Thank you to Vicki and Julie Semones for your very important contribution to American history. I do hope you plan to release this documentary publicly for purchase so that we can help you share this little bit of happiness even further abroad across America and beyond.