GLOBAL RHYTHMS, TED PEDAS AWARD
U.S. Premiere

The Essence of Eva

ALEX FEGAN, MALCOLM WILLIS
Ireland, 2025
82 minutes, Color

In Person: Director Malcolm Willis

When Sting admits that he "stole" the arrangement from the singer who recorded what is likely the definitive version of his own song Fields of Gold, he's referring to a world-class artist. The Essence of Eva is a revealing portrait of Bowie, Maryland's own Eva Cassidy, who left this world too soon. The picture that emerges through home movies and interviews with bandmates, family, friends, and the likes of Mick Fleetwood is akin to one of her signature songs, Amazing Grace. Eva labored in mostly local obscurity, once performing for an audience of one, before dying of cancer at only 33. The tragic irony is that after her death, Eva's albums sold millions in the U.K. and finally here. There is so much joy in Eva's voice that viewing this documentary will make you weep for what is lost—and feel the frisson of hearing an angel sing.—Dave Nuttycombe