Screen
Paul Quarrington: Life in Music (May 2010)
A documentary feature, the film is a cinematic essay featuring Paul Quarrington, a renaissance artist whose works spanned many arts disciplines, as he comes to terms with a sudden development in his real life, all through the power of music. Along the way to these answers, he – and we – make discoveries about the human spirit. Produced by BookShorts Inc., in collaboration with CTV Bravo! and Canadian Television Fund; Directed by Bert Kish, Edited by Caroline Christie. National broadcast May 29, 2010.
Pavane (2008)
Pavane addresses the impact of how childhood memory affects adulthood. Spiritually aligned with Mystic River, delivered in his own voice both profound and profoundly funny, Quarrington delivers a jewel of a film with an ending that holds the fragile potential of a new beginning. Based on the novel The Ravine, also by Paul Quarrington.?? PlatinumRemi Award, Houston WorldFest, NXNE Film Fest, Chicago Intl Movies & Music Fest., BravoFACT and CBC National Television Broadcasts.
For more information, visit Moving Stories Film Festival?
Angel Takes All: No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em (2006)
In this send-up mockumentary, filmmakers Paul Quarrington and Bert Kish have figured out an rather ingenious way to raise the funds to shoot their prized ‘money shot’ – with the help of poker-playing guru Angel Largey. Who knew that Angel has aspirations of his own!
Based on the real instructional book by Angel, ‘No-Limit Texas Hold’em: A Complete Guide.’
Watch Angel Takes All: No Limit Texas Hold ?Em
Mann Over Moon (2000)
This is the 2000 story of a poet, Llewelyn Moon played by David Fox, who has achieved an unlikely success late in life. One of his poems — his most personal poem — was used in a Hollywood picture, and a slim volume of collected poetry has been selling well.
An enterprising publisher has arranged for a book tour. On one stop, Moon encounters Anne Mann, the rather straight-laced publicity person who has arranged all his interviews and intends that he show up for them. Moon has other ideas. Specifically, he wants to get drunk.
This is a story of their day, how they work their way through insults and acrimony and ultimately arrive at a place of human understanding.
Quarrington introduced Moon in the play The Invention of Poetry in 1990. In the inaugural production of the play, David Fox played Moon. This short film also stars Quarrington’s actress ex-wife, Dorothy Bennie.
The film features Try’n Like The Devil a Quarrington musical composition with long-time Quarrington musical partner and friend, Martin Worthy. The closing music – All The Mutant Starlings – is by Canadian icon Joe Hall, produced and arranged by Worthy. Quarrington wrote, directed and produced this film.
Whale Music (1994)
Shot around the breathtaking coastline of B.C.’s Howe Sound, Whale Music is the triumphant adaptation of Paul Quarringaton’s Governor General’s Award-winning novel about the redemption of a faded rock star through love and music. Richard J. Lewis’ exploration of the reclusive musician’s efforts to create a piece of music that will summon the whales is a sensory and emotional tour de force.
Quarrington adapted the novel Whale Music for the screen with writer, Richard J. Lewis, during a five-year period that Quarrington spent writing mostly movies.
Remarking in Maclean’s on this period and the difference between writing novels and screenplays, Quarrington stated that for him, screenplays are akin to concertos, rather than symphonies: “Beethoven, Brahms and those other people, they would never say, ‘Well I only write symphonies.’ But they saved that part of them that was most important for the symphonies. I feel a little bit that way. I can save what’s most important for the novels… Screenplays are important; they’re just not symphonies.”
