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A fascinating and inspiring documentary,
Genghis Blues is the story of blues musician Paul Pena and his musical pilgrimage to the Republic of Tuva, in 1995. Pena is a career musician (writer of the Steve Miller song "Big Old Jet Airliner") who has worked with the greats of Blues, from Muddy Waters and B.B. King to Bonnie Raitt. Listening to a short-wave radio, Pena encountered Tuvan throatsinging and was instantly obsessed. He taught himself the technique, which involves one voice simultaneously making two harmonic tones. He also translated Tuvan songs and written word into Russian, then into English (no Tuvan-English dictionaries existed) and all in Braille, so he could learn the language.
The film is a documentary on Pena's trip to Tuva, to participate in a contest of Tuvan throatsinging. I'll leave you in the dark as to whether he wins or loses. The thing that you'll come away from this film with is a major win: the beauty of two entirely strange cultures, joined by music. Pena's appreciation for the people he encounters is inspiring as well, and the reception he recieves is truly gratifying to watch. But the thing that struck me was that the Tuvan culture, nearly squelched by years of Soviet oppression, survived and was so valued by a blind blues musician from half a world away, and discovered by chance..... and the result is this shining combination of people.
This film is a beautiful and joyous experience, and so much more than a travelogue. I strongly recommend it.
9/10
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The film is a documentary on Pena's trip to Tuva, to participate in a contest of Tuvan throatsinging. I'll leave you in the dark as to whether he wins or loses. The thing that you'll come away from this film with is a major win: the beauty of two entirely strange cultures, joined by music. Pena's appreciation for the people he encounters is inspiring as well, and the reception he recieves is truly gratifying to watch. But the thing that struck me was that the Tuvan culture, nearly squelched by years of Soviet oppression, survived and was so valued by a blind blues musician from half a world away, and discovered by chance..... and the result is this shining combination of people.
This film is a beautiful and joyous experience, and so much more than a travelogue. I strongly recommend it.
9/10