The Grand Rapids Press, June 14, 2008
Waterfront Film Festival: 'The Linguists,' 'Karma Generator,' 'Half-Life,' 'Man on a Wire'

John Serba

'The Linguists'/'Karma Generator'
Well, my plans to take in a 9 a.m. screening of "An Unlikely Weapon" were derailed by my desire to appreciate the movie rather than sleep through it.

So Saturday began a couple hours later with "Karma Generator," local photographer Brian Kelly's 25-minute documentary about the making of Brian Vander Ark's latest album, packaged with "The Linguists," the world-tripping chronicle of two language scientists.

"Karma" is a must-see for fans of Vander Ark - it offers insight into his songwriting process, and the unique creative relationship he developed with famed producer Bill Szymczyk. Two revelatory moments from this film: One, Szymczyk, who's famous for having produced Eagles records in the 1970s, is such a fan of Vander Ark's, he was afraid to offer his production services to him. Two, Szymczyk, while working on the last Eagles album, played a Vander Ark song three times for the rock legends, calling it "perfection."

In other words, Szymczyk is finally catching on to what we West Michiganders have known for a long time. Kelly's film is informative and engaging, especially with those of us familiar with the subject.

"The Linguists" stars the Indiana Joneses of the science of languages: David Harrison and Gregory Anderson, who trek to places that are sometimes literally off the map to research and attempt to preserve dying languages. They go to points obscure in Siberia, India, Bolivia and Arizona to track down the last individuals to speak these languages, and while the locations are visually compelling and the culture shock tangible, what's most interesting about the film is how it makes a statement about conformity, and how it can crush cherished heritage.

"The Linguists" plays again at 11:30 a.m. Sunday at Saugatuck High School. Check out a trailer and more info about the film.