the album leaf – for jonathan
The film “For Jonathan” was created as a simple requiem for a friend, and a gift to a family that had just lost their son to cancer. The film is a seven-minute portrait of Jonathan Hicks, a close childhood friend of photographer/filmmaker Chris Bennett.
Jonathan died at age 23, after being diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer called Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor. The film, shot entirely in Super 8mm, is of Jonathan and was filmed near his hometown of Lafayette, Indiana. It was filmed a few months after Jonathan had been diagnosed with cancer, still in good health and spirits.
After Jonathan passed away in October 2000, Bennett combined the footage of Jonathan with footage of clouds and landscapes. This, Bennett said, was to create an “ethereal portrait of Jonathan” which could serve as a keepsake for his friends and family. Bennett sent this film to various musicians in hopes that each would write a song that could serve loosely as “soundtracks” to the images he had created. The finished project became this beautifully combined compilation of songs all exclusive to this release, each honoring Jonathan’s life and spirit.
The music from various genres lend themselves perfectly to this compilation. From the electronic beats of The Album Leaf and Mikael Jorgensen or the beautifully orchestrated piece from Dave Fischoff and the sometimes almost painful tones of bands such as Ativin and Jessica Bailiff, each song is a completely different take on the complex subject of death and loosing a close friend. The diversity of the music has made it hard to pigeonhole where exactly this compilation should be filed, but it has also attracted the interest of music lovers from all backgrounds.
Proceeds from the sales of this CD will be donated in Jonathan Hicks’ honor to the Children’s Inn, located in Bethesda, MD. This served as Jonathan’s “home away from home” while he received treatment from the National Institute of Health for two and a half years. This beneficiary was chosen by Jonathan’s father. You may find out more about this wonderful place by visiting the website at childrensinn.org.
you can purchase the CD here…
http://www.interpunk.com/item.cfm?Item=49948&
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……. …
……. breathtaking. The only word that could catch all the meaning and love in this song, is beautiful. This is simply beautiful.
die can be …
die can be beautiful. lucky that i found Jonathan here.
Hi could you tell …
Hi could you tell me if its possible to film like this and how to get it onto the computer?? how was ths done likw u said with film? im a photographer but this video effect is amazing where could i find a camera and film like this to buy??? thanks im very interested
sounds like a synth …
sounds like a synth effect
5 stars
5 stars
what instrument is …
what instrument is at the beginning?
this is excellence. …
this is excellence. i too am very into black and white film. never actually tried it though. i’ve always wanted to. this is also pretty funny because ive always said that the album leaf is the perfect looking up at the clouds music. good job.
Utter Beauty, the …
Utter Beauty, the only way to describe the combination of film and music.
what song or songs …
what song or songs is this from the album leaf. is it called for Jonathon?
yes yes this i very …
yes yes this i very good, thanks.
I feel like I …
I feel like I deserve to die now
Btw, I love this …
Btw, I love this video,it totally presents the sense of gloom.
(sorry for my poor grammar,it’s not my native language)
How to describe my …
How to describe my feeling? i lost my senior br.he died many many years ago,
now, i am older than he for 9 years.
i am getting older ,when wind blowing,when rain pouring, when clouds flying even disappearing.
though i miss him, but i ought to value what i see and what i have now.
Jon, this is …
Jon, this is incredible. I dont think there could be a better fit for the music. And there is a lot of depth in the video making. I am a physician in St Louis and also make music for a good cause. Please see my channel and lets work together if possible. Cheers, Hamid
Music at it’s …
Music at it’s finest, art. Touching.
im jonathan,
thanks …
im jonathan,
thanks (-:
kudos FDA.
kudos FDA.
Beautiful film, …
Beautiful film, Beautiful music, very touching. You can feel the pain as well as the love.
Heard this through …
Heard this through Drive on FuelTV, and had to find it. It’s beautiful, the music is moving in itself, though knowing the story behind it makes it that more meaningful and that more enjoyable to listen to. Wonderful song, it made me tear up. Five stars! On a side note, it saddens me just to hear about anyone being taken by cancer. My grandmother is fighting with it now, so I know what it’s like to watch someone you love go through that. I wish you guys well, and please keep making music!
beautifully done. …
beautifully done. great video, wonderful music, very touching story. RIP Jonathan
i always loved this …
i always loved this song, but i never knew the story behind it, it is much more meaningful now with this knowledge certainly
it’s a stunning track & a stunning video
so touching, the …
so touching, the saddest and most amazing thing ever
songs amazing and …
songs amazing and sad.
may jonathan rest in peace and his family i wish you the best.
very sad, very …
very sad, very touching. May God bless Jonathon and his family and friends.
Just think if your …
Just think if your mother or father would die, or if you had a son/daughter that just died…
That made me cry for real…
I wish Jonathans parents a, I dont know what to say. It is so terrible.
Must be terrible to have him in your thoughts forever.