Katra Film Series Review: ‘A Woman’s New World,’ an Emotionally Compelling Documentary, Celebrates the Human Spirit and Cultural Impact of Music

“A Woman’s New World,” a documentary playing at the Katra Film Series, tells the inspiring story of Tianyi Lu. She is a female conductor following her passion in bringing a unique touch to the symphonies she conducts, and to the melodies composed by male music composers, flourishing in a field primarily dominated by men. While practice has made her perfect in the art of bringing her own identity and persona to a piece of music, the road to finding her own identity has not exactly been easy for Lu. She was born in Shanghai, but brought up and educated with great difficulty in New Zealand by Chinese immigrant parents; they themselves fought an uphill battle with an economic crisis that threatened to split the family apart as well.

The editing of ‘A Woman’s New World’ — as well as its background score — are impeccable…”

What’s most striking about the documentary is it allows Lu to ‘conduct’ her own story in her own unique voice; and she does an exquisite job of it, much like with her orchestral performances. It is impressive to listen to a maestro like her speak at length; she describes how a particular piece of music resonates to her and to her cultural upbringing and personal growth. This was an aspect that also made me nostalgic about my own musical upbringing, as someone who attended classical piano lessons up until my teens.

A Movie that Inspires Memories

When Lu discusses the cultural impact of Western pieces such as Dvorak’s “New World” symphony (a piece that’s the main focus in the documentary), especially recounting her parents playing it to her on a CD, it brought back fond childhood memories of my own experience. I can remember vibing to the same piece of music after hearing it in old HBO commercials on television. I even scrambled to find the physical sheet music (long before the Internet), along with my musically inclined siblings to learn the piece by heart!

The documentary also added to my knowledge of the behind the scenes of a musical concert; it highlights the hard work that goes into creating an impeccable experience for concertgoers. Lu also left me mesmerized with her childlike joy as she gleefully explains musical terms and the responsibility of each musician/soloist in the orchestra to the layperson. This is complete with sound effects for each musical instrument; the film highlights Lu as a thorough and passionate professional and connoisseur of her craft.

Top Notch Editing and Score

The editing of “A Woman’s New World” — as well as its background score — are impeccable; the deserve special mention as they help in elevating key points of Lu’s lived experiences. The film goes from an unsettling score to convey her sense of anxiety and stress before and after a rehearsal, to a rousing score that amplifies her joy and perseverance through personal battles. The film follows her through years of people around her (including her own family members) questioning her ability; she must balance her professional life with familial responsibilities, sexist comments, and other obstacles yet to deter or sideline Lu.

What’s most striking about the documentary is it allows Lu to ‘conduct’ her own story in her own unique voice…”

Lu’s journey feels nothing short of inspiring, and this documentary is a true testament to how anything is possible. With passion, devotion, and perseverance, it shows how anybody is capable of breaking through barriers in the masterful pursuit of creating their unique new symphonies.

 

 

 

 

“A Woman’s New World” is part of our coverage of the 2022 Katra Film Series. 

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