Shaping Bamboo

For the 'Are'are people of the Solomon Islands, the most valued music is that of the four types of panpipe ensembles. With the exception of slit drums, all musical instruments are made of bamboo; therefore the general word for instruments and the music performed with them is "bamboo" ('au). This film shows the making of panpipes, from the cutting the bamboo in the forest to the making of the final bindings. The most important part of the work consists in shaping each tube to its necessary length. Most 'Are'are panpipe makers measure the leng...

Funeral Chants from the Georgian Caucasus

A short film set in the mountainous province of Svaneti, documents the performance of polyphonic men’s funerary laments common to the region.

'Are'are Music

A documentary about the traditional music of the 'Are'are people of the Solomon Islands.