The film "For Jonathan" was created as a simple requiem for a friend, and a gift to a family that had just lost their son to cancer. The film is a seven-minute portrait of Jonathan Hicks, a close childhood friend of photographer/filmmaker Chris Bennett.
Jonathan died at age 23, after being diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer called Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor. The film, shot entirely in Super 8mm, is of Jonathan and was filmed near his hometown of Lafayette, Indiana. It was filmed a few months after Jonathan had been diagnosed with cancer, still in good health and spirits.
After Jonathan passed away in October 2000, Bennett combined the footage of Jonathan with footage of clouds and landscapes. This, Bennett said, was to create an "ethereal portrait of Jonathan" which could serve as a keepsake for his friends and family. Bennett sent this film to various musicians in hopes that each would write a song that could serve loosely as "soundtracks" to the images he had created. The finished project became this beautifully combined compilation of songs all exclusive to this release, each honoring Jonathan's life and spirit.
The music from various genres lend themselves perfectly to this compilation. From the electronic beats of The Album Leaf and Mikael Jorgensen or the beautifully orchestrated piece from Dave Fischoff and the sometimes almost painful tones of bands such as Ativin and Jessica Bailiff, each song is a completely different take on the complex subject of death and loosing a close friend. The diversity of the music has made it hard to pigeonhole where exactly this compilation should be filed, but it has also attracted the interest of music lovers from all backgrounds.
Proceeds from the sales of this CD will be donated in Jonathan Hicks' honor to the Children's Inn, located in Bethesda, MD. This served as Jonathan's "home away from home" while he received treatment from the National Institute of Health for two and a half years. This beneficiary was chosen by Jonathan's father. You may find out more about this wonderful place by visiting the website at childrensinn.org.
you can purchase the CD here...
http://www.thegreatvitaminmystery.com/releases_tgvm06.php
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