Thursday June 19, 2014

Trius Winery

1249 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake

In a success-oriented society, “happiness” is normally defined as simply reaching the upper echelons of one’s field. But Mike Enns encountered a more personal definition of happiness when he met former Disney executive Randall Wyn Fullmer at the Los Angeles Winter National Association of Music Merchants show.

This meeting prompted Enns into a journey that will culminate on June 19, when Restrung gets a World Premiere at the inaugural Niagara Integrated Film Festival (NIFF) in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Trius Winery.

This feature documentary is a study of one-man’s epiphany in the name of art, and is the result of that chance meeting. A talented bass guitarist himself, Enns attended the event for his own reasons, but was immediately taken with Fullmer’s rich-sounding, handcrafted guitars (played soulfully for the crowd by internationally renowned bassist, Abraham Laboriel). A few words with the craftsman led Enns to what would become Restrung, and to a re-evaluation of his own creative process.

Randy had let go of his role as a “manager of artists” at the Disney Studios to become a “real artist” again, answerable to no committee save his muses.

“From my first conversation,” says Enns, “I realized that Randy’s process of creativity was exactly what I yearned to emulate in my own career.”

Eventually, Mike took a chance of his own, capturing Randy’s story on camera. He brought a crew to L.A. for a whirlwind week of filming Randy at work into the wee hours. The dedication for the comparative lack of financial reward was contagious and inspirational.

“Going against the grain, transcending common sense, overcoming fear of failure and embracing natural intuition… these are all things I learned from Randy and hoped to find in myself,” adds Enns.

The Restrung project is Enns’ most personal work, and he hopes it strikes a similar chord in audiences.

Filmalicious Dinner, Screening, Party – $150.00 – Doors Open @ 6:30pm
Screening and Opening Night Party: $25.00 – Doors Open @ 8:30pm
Tickets available on website