Since the fall of the Soviet empire in Eastern Europe, it's become commonplace to assign revolutions catchy nicknames, such as the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia, and the Orange Revolution in Ukraine. The term “Singing Revolution” was invented by Estonian artist-activist Heinz Valk to describe his Baltic nation's liberation from Soviet control in the late 1980s. Valk is one of the interviewees in James and Maureen Tusty's informative and moving documentary The Singing Revolution, which melds talking-head excerpts with archival footage, newly-filmed location shots, and linking narration from actress Linda Hunt to chronicle how the people's love of music—embodied in their singing of nationalist songs in defiance of official prohibitions at huge outdoor festivals over the years—served to express steadfast resistance to foreign oppression and encouraged decisive action to reclaim independence when the opportunity presented itself. While telling the inspiring story of individuals who placed themselves at risk in service of a national cause, The Singing Revolution also offers a primer on Estonian history (particularly emphasizing the periods of Nazi and Soviet occupation), nicely balancing its coverage of political events with an appreciation of the larger cultural context that fueled the movement. DVD extras include interviews and audio commentary with the filmmakers, additional extended interviews, and newsreel footage. Highly recommended. [Note: a three-disc collector's edition is also available from www.singingrevolution.com for $79.95 (high schools & public libraries) or $249.95 (colleges & universities) with the aforementioned extras, plus more extended interviews arranged topically, a Soviet propaganda film, musical performances, historical documents, maps, and an instructor's guide.] Aud: H, C, P. (F. Swietek)
The Singing Revolution
(2008) 97 min. DVD: $26.95. Docurama (avail. from most distributors). ISBN: 1-4229-2271-5. Volume 24, Issue 2
The Singing Revolution
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