An outreach idea for the older generation
Damaris Trust offers a free community resource based around the film ‘Quartet’, to be released on DVD on May 6.
Directed by Dustin Hoffman, Quartet is a joyous and entertaining film about redefining old age and growing old with hope, demonstrating how art illuminates life and the human spirit remains undimmed even as the brightest stars start to fade.
About the film
Lifelong friends Wilf (Billy Connolly) and Reggie (Tom Courtenay), together with former colleague Cissy (Pauline Collins), are residents of Beecham House, a home for retired musicians. Every year the residents unite to give a concert to raise funds for their home. But when Jean Horton (Maggie Smith), a former grande dame of the opera and Reggie’s ex–wife moves into the home to everyone’s surprise, the plans for this year’s concert start to unravel.
As old grudges threaten to undermine past glories and theatrical temperaments play havoc with the rehearsal schedule, it becomes apparent that having four of the finest singers in English operatic history under one roof offers no guarantee that the show will go on.
Quartet is a joyous and entertaining film about redefining old age and growing old with hope, demonstrating how art illuminates life and the human spirit remains undimmed even as the brightest stars start to fade.
Damaris Trust is delighted to provide two sets of free community resources (available here) which will enable groups to make the most of Quartet:
Knowing the Score. A discussion guide built around montages of clips from the film that combine one of the styles of music with some of the main characters, in order to explore the themes of ‘Love and Loss’ (in relation to Classical Opera), ‘Life and Hope’ (in relation to Light Opera) and ‘Fun and Fulfilment’ (in relation to Music Hall).
Living This Life. A discussion guide built around a special video feature that combines clips from the film with comments from Dustin Hoffman (director), Ronnie Harwood (writer), Finola Dwyer (producer), Maggie Smith and Billy Connolly. This explores how we might make the most of our life – no matter what age we are.