Around the World in 80 Anthems

Many lucky enough to live without too much fear and want in prosperous countries take their national anthems for granted, observes Capri Everitt in filmmaker Gordon Michael Woolvett’s buoyant documentary. This is not the case in other nations where—despite deprivation and great challenges—people deeply feel their national anthems to be a source of pride in all they’ve survived and built. At the age of 11 in 2015, the Vancouver B.C.-based aspiring singer and her family embarked on a project to raise money for a children’s charity by traveling to 80 countries. In each host country, Capri would quickly learn each national anthem and sing it publicly—often with other children—in the original language. The film zips through most places (with a glimpse or two of each location, of the kids Capri meets, and of impoverished or unsanitary conditions where they exist). But more detailed segments take place in Laos, Greece, and Israel, where Capri and her kin have particularly powerful experiences. As the Everitts beat a path through the Americas, Asia, Eastern and Western Europe, Africa, etc., finally ending at a Toronto Blue Jays game, they never seem to run out of steam, although Capri’s mom is on crutches for a few stops (where, of course, elevators are scarce). A thoroughly enjoyable and unusual travelogue, this inspiring documentary about a Guinness World Record-setting youngster is recommended. Aud: P. (T. Keogh)