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Home Subscribe About Us Features News Album Reviews Movie Reviews Past Movies Movie Resources Concert Reviews Book Reviews Top 10 Contact Us	The Singing Revolution Documentary narrated by Linda Hunt Directors: James Tusty and Maureen Castle Tusty Scriptwriters: Mike Majoras and James Tusty Composer: John Kusiak Cinematography: Miguelangel Aponte-Rios Mountain View Productions Rating: no rating but contains of war footage Running Length: 95 minutes www.singingrevolution.com So many countries were formed in the late 1990’s when the Soviet Union relinquished control over their satellite nations. Estonia has been an independent country, or occupied by foreign soldiers or gone back to being it’s own country. In the 20th century alone, Russia was there, then Nazi Germany, back to Russia and finally independence. Such is the documentary by James Tusty and Maureen Castle Tusty that took seven years to make. It shows us how peaceful means---and a love of music---can bring about political change. Interspersed with footage from WWII are scenes of people from Estonia getting ready for their cultural music festival that happens every five years. It’s called “Laulupidu” and will happen again in 2009. Film from rehearsals for the 2004 performance are shown in this documentary. Over 30,000 singers perform in this festival honoring Estonian heritage and pride. Can you imagine the anticipation of the conductor as he waits for 30,000 people to pause at the same time? Attendance can be 100,000 or more. Director James Tusty was present at one of the film screenings I attended. He is an affable man with wit and humor. Tusty’s father came to America in 1924 through Ellis Island from Estonia. He said narrator Linda Hunt was selected for her voice that is able to show emotion at the proper time. When Estonians came to Canada and America, they tended to settle in northern climates, similar to their Baltic country. The soundtrack for “The Singing Revolution” will be available after the film finishes its commercial release, about the beginning of 2009. Estonian government leaders who were interviewed showed the intricacy of diplomacy that endured as the country slowly began to wrest itself from Soviet control. This came at the end of Nazi Germany control. They tell stories of either their parents, grandparents, or themselves being sent to Siberian work camps as punishment for political activities. As a result of being batted back and forth by ruling countries, the population of Estonia in 1991 rose to 45% Russian and 55% Estonian at one time. Currently, it is 30% Russian and 70% Estonian. The capital is Toompea. Toward the end of negotiations with the Soviets, it was rumored that Estonia would forcefully form a country, so a sort of Soviet invasion occurred, complete with tanks. The Russians would try to quiet the people by silencing television and radio stations. It didn't work. During the 1980’s and 1990’s, Estonia kept its music festival and with it, the hope of freedom. No one government seemed to want to stop a song fest, but the undercurrent was keeping hope alive. In 1985, there was a protest in which over 100,000 people formed a human chain that stretched for miles. This made headlines around the world. Today, Estonia is a country unto itself and planning for the music festival next year. Josef Stalin is quoted as saying, “Death solves all problems. No person. No problem.” He didn’t take into consideration one extra word: music. Copyright 2008 Marie Asner