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by Mark Maxwell Abushady, NYC Film HEMPSTERS
It has never made sense to me that planting a seed could be considered an illegal, criminal act. Hempsters considers the question of how this has come about, and how, and why, it should be changed. Although it does touch upon the marijuana legalization issue, this is a small part of a film about a plant with great potential on many other fronts. Exploring the wonders of the hemp plant, its historical significance, and its potential to solve, in Ralph Nader’s words, “…the global depletion of forest resources, the harmful effects of petrochemicals, the excessive use of pesticides for fiber crops and the economic depression of farming communities…”, the film presents some very good arguments. Indeed, the film educates the viewer to the difference between high THC marijuana and the plant known as hemp which, though of the same species, is of a strain which has such a low level of THC as to be useless to the drug trade. Suggestion is made as to the vilification of hemp to protect the interest of the petrochemical industry’s oils and synthetics and pharmaceutical companies, one of which holds a patent on a THC derivative. Both Thomas Jefferson and George Washington are mentioned as growing hemp, which is a legal farm crop in England, Australia, Germany, Poland, Ireland, Italy, Hungary, Belgium, and more. A great clip from a1943 short “Hemp for Victory” describes the war effort growing of hemp in this country for the military and industrial needs during WWII. One disturbing scene shows the DEA’s (Drug Enforcement Agency) destroying hemp crops on the Pine Ridge Reservation, even though in that sovereign Indian Nation hemp farming is legal. Among many eye-opening quotes is this by Henry Ford: “why use up the forests, which were a century in the making, if we can get the equivalent of forest and mineral product in the annual growth of our fields.” Hemp is the plant for such a task.
Wake Up is a documentary following the search of Jonas Elrod for sense and meaning to the visions he spontaneously finds himself experiencing. Angels, orbs of color, swirling energies, an alien face and similar sights are described by Jonas as he seeks help from a psychiatrist, metaphysicians, research scientists, healers, Native Americans, a Buddhist monk, a Sufi mystic and more. The film’s approach to its subject is fairly straightforward, yet I’d be surprised if anyone involved in a quest for a deeper connection with his/ her own spiritual essence didn’t get emotionally caught up in one or more of the many paths Jonas takes. Wake Up is a film that will creep up on the viewer and draw him/her in to a search that is ultimately relatable to us all. A special nod goes to the music, composed by Jonas himself, which unobtrusively accompanies his compelling story.
Music
Gaia’s Garden is gentle and beautiful music, orchestrated and executed with skill and feeling. A rich tapestry of sound is created by the inspired combinations of popular and lesser known world instruments, including sarod, santoor, oud, Cretan lyre and more, with acoustic guitar providing a cohesive element to the whole album. Chinmaya Dunster brings together artists from Israel, Hawaii, Crete, UK, New Zealand, Canada and India. While at times I was reminded of Anthony Phillips poetic compositions, Gaia’s Gardens is its own work of art.
Peace, beauty and gentleness seem to be hallmarks of Danny Wright’s musical compositions, which he performs with admirable skill on grand piano. Romantic in style, and with a passion tempered by serenity and sweetness, Wright’s compositions have a fullness of sound and a completeness that requires no other instrumental voice. A truly charming and enjoyable collection of pieces.
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WAKE UP
GAIA’S GARDEN 
SOUL2SOUL