The rediscovery of a long-forgotten artist is, by now, a well-worn narrative, but there is something vital and new about Vashti Bunyan: From Here to Before, directed by Kieran Evans.
To be sure, the film would never have been made were it not for a new generation of musicians like Animal Collective and Devendra Banhart who cite Vashti Bunyan’s among their influences. The movie, which centers on a concert Bunyan held in London just a few years ago, puts that influence into a larger context, helping us to understand how a musical icon like her was almost forgotten.
Bunyan’s trip to London is an apt metaphor for her life, as the singer/songwriter has always been more interested in finding happiness than achieving success. Evans underscores this point by filling the screen with lush landscapes of England and Scotland. His chronicle of the nomadic life of a folk singer (who once abandoned music to travel the British Isles in a horse and carriage) flows naturally, like a cool breeze. The film is more a tribute to life than a cautionary tale. Bunyan has no need to seek redemption, as she never fell from grace–like many musicians of her time. And unlike her contemporaries (such as the tragic singer/songwriter Nick Drake), Bunyan’s quest for happiness was fulfilled.
Vashti Bunyan: From Here To Before will be presented at Hot Docs on Saturday, May 2 and Monday, May 4.
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