“Music of Survival is a testament to the enduring power of art and the human spirit, even in the face of the greatest of horrors. Its music uplifts, informs and indeed transforms the spirit and the mind, shedding much needed light on a story of cultural survival that resonates even more deeply today.” Jesse Wente, Director of Film Programmes, TIFF Bell Lightbox, Toronto, Canada
“An extraordinary story that I am grateful to be a part of … a story very dear to my heart; the idea of what’s going on now in Ukraine needs attention – and sometimes it needs attention that’s indirect, that makes us think in deeper ways and look at our history – our shared history as Canadians. It gives me an enormous amount of pleasure, and not a little pride, to be a part of it.” Colm Feore, Narrator
“The film traces the history of the Ukrainian bardic tradition which uses a special zither-like instrument called the bandura. It was powerfully moving, beautifully filmed, and certainly one of the best music-themed documentaries I’ve ever seen–right up there with “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Genghis Blues,” David Badagnani, Ethnomusicologist
“Music of Survival weaves together a visually rich narrative with compelling interviews and an emotionally taut soundtrack that brings out the deepest roots of our traditions and the very best in our Ukrainian national character. Through music, it celebrates the resiliency of a culture that has survived centuries of political repression and genocide.” Oles Kuzma, Hartford CT
“…Very moving – an amazing story. When one has lived a complacent middle-class life in Canada, where nationalism, political crisis and warfare are pale echoes of some unimaginable past, it’s quite easy to forget the immediacy and the ‘life-and-deathness’ of cultural histories. This film brings that reality painfully alive. It’s a story well-told, and well worth telling. The music seems to have a kind of essential lament at its core, and is woven organically into the narrative and honestly serves the story-telling. It’s rather haunting in a mystical way. While it’s true that a general audience might be unfamiliar with this music, to my mind it’s not in any way alienating, and speaks to the ‘otherness’ of the Ukrainian culture, and to the deep emotion at the heart of that culture.” Jonathan Goldsmith, Composer
“It was really a fantastic evening! I enjoyed every single moment of it. As for the film Music of Survival – it’s like a cultural bridge connecting three peoples and two continents. The whole story proves time and again that only united we will survive and overcome all difficulties, only together, shoulder to shoulder we can preserve our rich culture for future generations. More and more people should see this film. “ Oksana Kobets, Ukrainian Consulate, Düsseldorf, Germany
“During the screening, a pin dropping could have been heard. The attention level was at a maximum, everyone was taken in by the story, the music, the tragedy of war and were hanging in there hoping for a happy ending. When the film finished there was a spontaneous outburst of applause. Then no one got up, everyone remained seated till the very end when the screen went blank and again applauded.” Vera Kostiuk Busch – Düsseldorf, Germany
“Я – від нього у захопленні! Глибоко змістовний.Несе саме ту правду, яку сьогодні далеко не всі знають. Ще одне свідчення про невмирущу глибину Української Духовності , Сили та Нездоланності ! І знання про яку інколи у суспільстві не вистачає… Я також дізнався багато нового ! Перебуваю у захопленні від професійної майстерності. Щиро бажаю успішної премєри в Україні. Не маю жодних сумнівів – вона має бути дуже успішною ! З найщирішими вітаннями та побажаннями, З глибокою повагою” Ihor Sagach – Ambassador of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Sweden Надзвичайний Повноважаний Посол Ігор Сагач – Посол України в Швеції
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