World Premiere
2021 Illuminate Film Festival
Collaboration
The immersive score Dreaming of Whales by Christel Veraart, commissioned by ILLUMINATE’s curatorial team, was originally meant as a stand-alone meditative soundscape. However, just three weeks prior to the festival when director Sebastian Jobst first heard and was overwhelmed by Veraart’s Dreaming of Whales score, he immediately set out to create a second film as a visual companion to Veraart’s sonic creation. Presented by ILLUMINATE Film Festival and Sedona Conservatory, the free June 27th composer/conductor conversation and Q&A at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre will include the world premiere presentation of this highly-anticipated collaborative short film, Dreaming of Whales.
Christel’s Inspiration
It feels like whales have been guiding my journey forever. Years ago, when living in Mexico near the Pacific ocean, I woke up every morning to the sights and sounds of their spouts on the horizon, their heaving breaths, their giant presence. When walking on the beach I could almost touch them when they came to shallow gravel shores to rid themselves of their barnacles. It was then I learned that whales in the Pacific migrate to Mexico, to Hawaii, and even Alaska. I joked at the time that maybe I should do the same thing. Careful what you wish for. As it turned out, that is exactly what I ended up doing. And now, for the first time, while living in the desert far away from the sea, I find myself longing for these beautiful creatures, so they called me again.
Blogposts
ILLUMINATE Film Festival and Sedona Conservatory present Dreaming of Whales
ILLUMINATE Film Festival and Sedona Conservatory present DREAMING OF WHALES: Film/Music Premiere & Conversation with Composer Christel Veraart and Russell Fox on Sunday, June 27…
Dreaming of Whales – Review by Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher Doris Iding
Doris Iding is a yoga, meditation and mindfulness teacher based in Munich, Germany. Below she captured her first impressions on my…
Dreaming of Whales – Elevating Music and Film from Entertainment to Art by Conductor/Lecturer Russell Fox
RUSSELL LAWRENCE FOX, conductor and music director of the internationally broadcast Hollywood Bowl Easter Sunrise Service 1983-2006, was Founder/Director of Performing…
Musings with a Marine Biologist on Whales
Being married to a marine biologist has opened worlds that weren’t known to me before. Among many other intriguing wonders of…
Review of Christel Veraart’s New Single: Dreaming of Whales by Vivek Kumar
More Reviews Vivek is a music enthusiast from India. He works as a writer and translator. Passionate about good and meaningful…
Ama’ara and Dreaming of Whales at Sedona’s Illuminate Film Festival
One of this year’s selections at ILLUMINATE, a five day film festival dedicated to elevating human consciousness through cinema, is Ama’ara –…
Reviews
Movie
World Premiere of Dreaming of Whales – A Healing Journey by Christel Veraart & Sebastian Jobst will be presented at Mary D Fisher Theater in Sedona, on June 27 at 2 PM PST Purchase Free Tickets
Original Soundtrack
Official release of Dreaming of Whales – The Original Soundtrack by Christel Veraart on June 14, 2021 when it will become available on most digital platforms.