The contemporary film explores the life of 20th-century Canadian violinist Kathleen Parlow, with a performance of Johan Halvorsen’s Violin Concerto from Dueñas
Directed by Sofia Bohdanowicz, Measures for a Funeral follows a musicology student as she researches the life and career of 20th-century Canadian violinist Kathleen Parlow and seeks to stage the violin concerto dedicated to her, Johan Halvorsen’s Violin Concerto op.28.
The film also features violinist María Dueñas as a talented young violinist named Elisa, drawing parallels with the determined spirit of Parlow. Although it is a work of fiction, there are autobiographical elements, as Bohdanowicz’s grandfather was in fact a student of Parlow – the same as the protagonist in the film.
It’s a highly introspective and artistic work, with a blurring between reality and the ghosts of the past, and yet in many ways it has the feel of a documentary. The film is overlaid with narrations of Parlow’s letters and diaries and juxtaposes photographs of Parlow in her house in Meldreth, UK, with footage of the house as it stands today. What’s more, the film does not cut away from Dueñas’s performance of the Halvorsen Violin Concerto, allowing viewers to watch the first two movements in full concert with conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain.
The Strad attended an exclusive preview of the film, with a chance to hear directly from Bohdanowicz and Dueñas.
‘It’s my first time working in a film in a movie, and at first I didn’t know what to expect,’ said Dueñas. ‘I didn’t feel like acting is my thing – I’m a violinist first of all, of course. But then I was sent the script and was told about how personal this story was for Sophia, and it seemed a very meaningful story to tell.’
‘This film is for musicians and for music-lovers. It was very much made in the spirit of remembrance and resilience, and it’s our attempt to revive the legacy of the violinist Kathleen Parlow,’ said Bohdanowicz. ‘María’s role in this film was absolutely invaluable: I think everyone would agree with me that she was the key ingredient to resurrect op.28 and Kathleen Parlow.’
Measures for a Funeral received its premiere at the 2024 Toronto Film Festival in September, and is expected to release to theatres in 2025.
Watch the trailer here:
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