Screening of “I am not a rock start” and recital
A rare and candid look inside the classical music world, where we discover the elusive alchemy of talent, sacrifice and luck required to make it to the top. We witness Marika Bournaki mature from child prodigy to adult before our eyes, experiencing her incredible musical talent evolve, as well as the bittersweet sacrifice one family makes over time to help her become a star.
Screening of “I am not a rock star”
Shot over eight years, I Am Not A Rock Star is the coming-of-age journey of fiery, Juilliard-trained pianist Marika Bournaki, who will stop at nothing to become a world-class concert pianist. Marika’s parents never realized their own youthful dreams in music and ballet; but they saw their daughter’s raw talent as early as age 5. Her father-turned-manager risked everything – including his career, family and marriage – to make Marika into a star. From child prodigy accolades at age 9, to backstage tears and moving alone to New York City to study at Juilliard at age 14, the film includes behind-the-scenes footage at concerts, airports, auditions and in hotel rooms around the world. On the cusp of international stardom at age 20, Marika has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Verbier Festival, had an audition with a major recording label, and found her first love – but also finds out her parents are divorcing and begins to question her path. With over 130 hours of footage in nearly a dozen international locations, this is a process film shot in cinema veritթ style about chasing an elusive dream and the cost that comes with it.
Generously supported by Pepper and Michael Jackson.
- More information on offcial website of Napa Valley Film Festival
- San Francisco Classical Voice interview with Marika Bournaki (PDF)
Screening of “I am not a rock star”
Canadian child prodigy Marika Bournaki plays the piano like God, but is starting to rebel against expectations and family pressure. A raw ritual of rupture and disenchantment: from 12 to 20 years old, from girl to woman, and from genius to person.
Possibly the most thorough examination of the phenomenon of child prodigies that ever was. Uber-gifted Canadian pianist Marika Bournaki has been playing the instrument like God since a very tender age, guided through the academic voyage by the firm hand of her father and teacher. I Am Not a Rockstar sets about documenting a coming of age process (from 12 to 20) that soon unravels unexpected circumstances, and the crude process of rupture (in both family and professional spheres) that explodes in a hurricane of teenage rage and angst about personal freedom. A genius that claims to be more than just that, and demands the restoration of her humanity and normality. The film investigates the causes of this disenchantment (expectations from frustrated artist parents (violinist father and ballerina mother), non-existent childhood, aspiration overload…) and registers every bend in the rocky road to fame. The end result is an accurate examination of the duality of passion/business (“I love music, but I don’t like playing for people. I’m not a rockstar”), and a crystalline analysis of family conflicts and the wear and tear produced by growing up in the public eye. From girl to woman, and from genius to person.
Bobbi Jo Hart is an award-winning Canadian director, producer, photographer, writer and researcher. She’s also versatile: some of her previous works deal with women’s tennis, nurses in Pakistan and mothers with nervous depression.
Bobbi Jo Krals-Hart will introduce the film on Saturday 3th at 22:30h at Aribau Club 2
Screening of “I am not a rock star” and recital
Benefit Concert for Mental Illness Foundation
Moi, j’en parle… is a Musical Benefit Event for the Mental Illness Foundation, featuring international pianist Marika Bournaki. This young artist will hold you spellbound from the moment she starts to play. A passionate, talented and somewhat defiant pianist, she distinguishes herself from her peers with her fresh, spontaneous performances coloured by remarkable musical sensitivity.
Marika chose to perform the greatest classics for piano in order to support the Mental Illness Foundation and its youth program Partners for Life, which helps raise the awareness of over 60,000 teens on depression every year.