One film in the Victoria Film Festival will be premiering in a special way at Alix Goolden Hall this week.
Ari’s Theme was filmed in Victoria and follows Ari Kinarthy, a 34-year-old composer with a rare genetic condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2.
This tragic condition causes Ari’s muscles to deteriorate, which will ultimately cut his life short.
By the time Ari was 16-years-old, he had already lost the ability to move his arms, but he found some solace in this through a music therapy program which introduced him to music composition.
This program allowed Ari to find his life’s purpose.
Eighteen years later, Ari has a diploma from Berklee College of Music, but sadly feels the progression of his condition worsening.
This film, Ari’s Theme, is focused on his legacy while he sets out to create the soundtrack of the most impactful memories of his young life before it is too late.
Victoria Film Festival has a special presentation of the film for its premiere in the city where it was filmed in, which members and students of the Victoria Conservatory of Music will be live scoring the presentation of the film on Sunday, February 16th.
Although this week is the film’s Victoria premiere, it has already been shown across North America and received high praise wherever it has been shown.
It was selected as an opening night film at the Vancouver International Film Festival where it was also live-scored, but this time by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra to a sold-out crowd, for which the film received three standing ovations.
Ari’s Theme has also been nominated for two Vancouver Film Critics Awards for Best Canadian Documentary and Best BC Film.
Following its Victoria premiere, Ari’s Theme will be made available across the country on TELUS Optik TV Channel 8 in BC and Alberta, and it will be available for free online.
“This film not only celebrates the extraordinary talent and resilience within our region but also highlights the profound impact of family support,” says Cameron Zinger, Director, Local Content and Executive in Charge of Production for TELUS originals.
“We’re thrilled to bring Ari’s inspiring journey to audiences across Canada through TELUS Optik TV and online platforms, perfectly timed with Family Day. It’s a testament to the creative spirit of BC and the kind of meaningful content we’re proud to deliver to our viewers.”
The production for Ari’s Theme was done by Salazar Film, who have produced a number of award-winning documentaries across 21 countries in the last 10 years.
Tickets for the premiere of Ari’s Theme can be found on Victoria Film Festival’s website.
