'Sing Street' notes the power of music

Writer-director John Carney follows “Once” and “Begin Again” with another celebration of the uplifting power of music, this time drawn from his youth in 1980s Dublin.

With “Sing Street”, director John Carney takes us back to 1980s and being in love with what music can unleash in its characters and we the audience will get to experience it when it screens this weekend at the Panida. A song can take you back to specific moments in time, connecting you to a younger self, memories and dreams in a continuum.

Dublin seen through the eyes of a 14-year-old boy named Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) who is looking for a break from a home strained by his parents’ relationship and money troubles, while trying to adjust to his new inner-city public school where the kids are rough and the teachers are rougher.

Conor finds a glimmer of hope in the mysterious and beautiful Raphina (Lucy Boynton), and with the aim of winning her heart he invites her to star in his band’s music videos. There’s only one problem: he’s not part of a band … yet. She agrees, and now Conor must deliver what he’s promised — calling himself “Cosmo” and immersing himself in the vibrant rock music trends of the decade, he forms a band with a few lads, and the group pours their heart into writing lyrics and shooting videos.

Inspired by writer/director John Carney’s life and love for music, “Sing Street” shows us a world where music has the power to take us away from the turmoil of everyday life and transform us into something greater.

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including strong language and some bullying behavior, a suggestive image, drug material and teen smoking.

The film is showing at the Panida Thursday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, June 10, at 5:30 p.m. (“happy hour” starts at 5:01 p.m.); Saturday, June 11 at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; and Sunday, June 12, at 3:30 p.m.