Young@Heart...touching hilarious documentary inspires! Old-time choristers a hoot...

"Young@ Heart", a new documentary release will not only touch - but just maybe - bring a tear to your eye.

Soon-to-be released by Fox Searchlight, the novel offering is an up-close behind-the-scenes gander at a chorus of vocalists who tour to sold-out concerts around the Nation and abroad.

What sets 'em apart from other stage performers?

They're mostly an octogenarian bunch, for starters.

Unlike other entertainers pining for fame and glory on Tin Pan Alley,  the troupe is a tight-knit band of seniors - ranging in age from 72 and upwards - who crave the exhileration the joy of singing brings!

And, for a topper?

Forget about Bible-thumping hymns and sappy love songs; their repertoire consists of ballsy with-it pop ditties from the musical realms of top 40, rock 'n roll and even punk!

Yes, when the first scenes open, and the choristers belt out a lyric or two from a "Clash" cover, it jars the sensibilities, at first.

But, in moments, the audience is up, and enthralled by the whim of it all.

What a human interest story!

These choristers are darn good, I tell 'ya.

Their success is partly due to their insightful task master (Director Bob Colman) who pushes them to the limits with remarkable heart-warming results.

In fact, a lot of the footage is devoted to the weekly rehearsals - and a rip-roaring insightful zoom in on the engaging seniors - as they try to wrap themselves (and - in a couple of instances - sluggish grey matter) 'round tough tongue twisters and a musical sound that is light years from what they once waltzed to.

But, through the course of the documentary - as the filmgoer roots 'me on from the footlights - you just betcha, they nail 'em..

Some say that Beethoven and Bach - Mozart, too - composed musical compositions to heighten learning capability.

So, what is the attraction here?

"Well, it's good for the lungs," one elderly gent noted with a gleam in his eye.

Notwithstanding, the obvious benefits of the virtual act of vocalizing itself, clearly the rigorous schedules (challenging rehearsals, traveling on the road, gearing up for heart-pounding concert dates) have revved the folks up and - in the process -  bestowed a purposeful intent sure to add longevity.

Occasionally, the probing lens of the documentarian focuses on a couple of the individual chorus members; when it does, the results are often hilarious.

One old goat (forgive me for saying it, Sir!) noted that the reason he and his wife stayed together for 54 years was obvious.

"Because we kept romance in our lives. Twice a week we'd go out on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. She on Tuesday, me on Wednesday."

And, in a solemn tone, he underscored that the loving relationship lasted because it was based on faith and trust.

"Her faith in me and my lack of trust in her."

Hee-Haw!

But, there are touching moments in the film as well.

When the chorus performs for a handful of prisoners incarcerated at a local jail, the first up-beat number gets the guys hooting and laughing, and slapping each other on the back with mirth.

But, when the singers note there was a recent death in the group - and dedicate a song (Forever Young) to their lost band member - the mood noticeably changes.

The gang of burly tattooed thugs gets a little sullen, teary-eyed even.

In that one poignant moment it's evident the inmates are inclined to reflect on their plight, ponder mistakes they've possibly made, and wonder how it is that they've come to this way station in life.

The director has also included a couple of promotional clips of video montages which elicit a lot of whoops and hollers from the theatre-goers, too.

To the tune of "Stayin' Alive", a big hulk of a man strides through a bowling alley in a white suit, effecting a hip stylish swagger that John Travolta would be envious of.

Another beautifully-crafted segment - to the endearing strains of David Bowie's - "Golden Years" - is fun, heart-warming, and entertaining.

"Young@Heart" is top notch bill-of-fare bound to appeal to young and old alike.

Catch it, when it arrives at a theatre near you!

 CD available online

http://www.julianayrs.com

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Footnote

When I first wrote this review, YOUNG@HEART   was not released yet.

I have reposted this article now that "Young" is taking the country by storm.

Myanmar...child soldiers; 10 yr olds forced into military!

News sources are reporting that the spirits of the Monks in Burma have not been broken, in spite of a brutal regime in power, which stomped hard on protesters in recent weeks, stormed sacred monastries, and arrested religious leaders en masse...

In the small town of Pakkoku, there have been signs that the Monks remain undaunted; in quiet desperation they chant and openly pray in the streets - signaling dissent, no matter how subtle.

Pakkoko is known as the heartbeat of the religious center...

Although the days are still bleak for many, there has been a bit of a respite for a few. On the heels of Ibrahim Gambari's four-day visit in early October, members of the National League for Democracy, along with monks and other protesters, have been freed from jail.

The UN failed to indicate if any significant action would be undertaken in the trouble spot to ensure rights are protected in the future, but it appears that U.S. sanctions have impacted the region.

Air Bagan, owned by a high-profile member of the corrupt regime, discontinued air service to Singapore after the bank stopped doing business with the carrier.

In spite of this headway, there is a shocking and disturbing practice underfoot in Mayanmar, which must be curtailed as swiftly as possible. Human Rights Watch, a lobby group, said that the junta is actively recruiting young boys for the military.

According to inside sources, the Burmese military have been forced to take this action in order to meet unrelenting demands for new recruits due to continued army expansion, high desertion rates, and a lack of willing volunteers. Apparently, morale is low due to poor living conditions and abuses by Senior NCOs and officers.

Children are being threatened into enlisting because of the need to replenish the ranks.

"Military recruiters and civilian brokers allegedly receive cash payments and other incentives for each new recruit, even if the recruit clearly violates minimum age or health standards," said Human Rights Watch.

A widespread desperation feeds on the mercenary behavior of recruiters who prey on the destitute men and boys who are easy targets. At the direction of high-ranking officials, sources allege that soldiers are urged to lurk at public meeting areas - such as train stations and cinemas - to apprehend vulnerable youths to coerce into the Burmese military, or Tatmadaw.

To this end, there is often a fabrication of facts on enlistment documents, especially in respect to age. Human Rights Watch says the lists may register the children as 18, the minimum legal age for service. In one case, they allege a boy was forcibly recruited at the age of 11, though he was only 4 feet, 3 inches tall and weighed less than 70 pounds.

Once inducted, the youngsters are rarely allowed to contact families.

Child soldiers are typically given 18 weeks of military training, then sent on to combat zones. Usually, the youths are posted in dangerous outposts in the hinterland.

The Boys are used to fight ethnic insurgents, burn villages, mete out punishment to civilians, destroy crops, and act as porters to support frontline troops.

"Those who attempt to escape or desert are beaten or imprisoned," said a spokesman for Human Watch.

Ye Htut, Deputy Director General of Myanmar's Information Ministry, said the charges were, "another example of biased reporting by news organizations, which based reports on the baseless accusations and exaggerated lies of insurgent groups on the border."

The junta has long been accused of other abuses, including brutal treatment of ethnic minority villagers caught up in counterinsurgency campaigns, and the use of forced labor in Myanmar.

"Myanmar's armed forces have had regulations in place since 1973 forbidding the recruitment of minors as well as others forced to enlist against their will," said the Information Ministry's Ye Htut, in response to a summary of the report.

Enforcement of the regulations was strengthened in 2004 with the establishment of a Committee for the Prevention of Recruiting Underaged Children from Military Recruitment, he reported to Associated Press.

"If the authorities find out that an applicant was recruited against his will or he is under 18 years, the responsible personnel will be tried according to the military law," Htut added.

Between 2004 and August 2007, some 141 minors were dismissed from the military and returned to their parents, and disciplinary action was taken against nearly 30 military personnel for violating recruitment rules, according to Information Ministry Office.

Human Rights Watch said the government committee has failed to effectively address the problem and has subsequently devoted most of its efforts to denouncing outside reports of child recruitment.

It is almost impossible to place a figure on how many children under 18 are in the Tatmadaw, but there are certainly thousands, informed sources say.

Despite strong official regulations within the Tatmadaw prohibiting the use of child soldiers and frequent promises to the United Nations that the SPDC is serious about curbing the practice, child soldiers in clandestine contact with the Human Watch note that the practice remains rampant.

The Tatmadaw fights large-scale conventional wars and brutal counter-insurgency operations against Communist and ethnic insurgents who were well armed and motivated. Almost all the soldiers and officers are volunteers and child soldiers were rare. They were common, however, in ethnic opposition forces, and over 30 non-state armed groups in Burma still use children in combat.

Recruitment of minors into the military bolster critics' claims that Burma’s deteriorating social and economic conditions have advanced the effort. Unemployment is high, corruption is endemic, poverty is the norm, and inflation, raging at over 30 percent, places even basic food items beyond the reach of many people.

In my mind's eye, there is a sinister underbelly to the recruitment...undoubtedly, the junta's secret agenda is to brainwash the youths, prep them for military stance - and ultimately - turn them into fighting, killer machines...

What troubles me is the loss of innocence at an impressionable age, the denial of a nurturing home life, and a basic right to be free - to pursue an education, a meaningful exchange of ideas with peers, and the opportunity to interact with others in a positive social climate.

Its been suggested that an arms embargo and additional financial sanctions may be needed to hamstring the military. Without hardware, equipment, and funding, it is theorized Myanmar will be unable to train a military populated by young, underaged boys.

Although Governments in the United Kingdom, as well as Security Council members, are pursuing the matter as a number one priority at their upcoming meeting on "Child Soldiers" to protect a generation of boys from the evil clutches of the Tatmadaw, is it not possible for a contingent of North American humanitarians to engage in the effort, too?

There is an urgent need, before the youths are scarred permanently, and unable to function mentally, emotionally, and rationally, in the civilized world.