SPES - CANTUS & FRODE FJELLHEIM TOVE RAMLO-YSTAD(2016)

Christmas at Westminster: An Evening of Readings and Carols(en)

Westminster Choir College presents their yearly holiday music concert in WESTMINSTER CHOIR COLLEGE: AN EVENING OF READINGS AND CAROLS. Recorded in the Princeton University Chapel, the program features more than 400 musicians in five different choirs. The musical numbers performed in the hour-long special encompass a variety of styles, including traditional Christmas carols with audience participation, beloved choral works, a diverse array of holiday standards, and contemporary arrangements that both surprise and delight. Together with a number of secular readings, the evening brings beauty and comfort to viewers at this special time of year.

Going My Way(en)

Youthful Father Chuck O'Malley led a colorful life of sports, song, and romance before joining the Roman Catholic clergy. After being appointed to a run-down New York parish, O'Malley's worldly knowledge helps him connect with a gang of boys looking for direction, eventually winning over the aging, conventional Parish priest.

Songs of Mashangva(en)

In the deep hills of northeast India, Christianity and pop culture have taken over the lifestyle and imagination of the Tangkhul tribes. Rewben Mashangva from Choithar travels through the remote villages of the Tangkhul Naga to talk to the old people and collect songs and instruments. The rhythms, melodies and lyrics form links to his own music, which he describes as Naga Folk Blues. In his traditional 'Haokuirat' hairstyle and western boots along with his 9 year old son Saka, he performs across India and South-East Asia spreading the message that some songs have no end.

Big Voice(en)

BIG VOICE captures a tumultuous year in the life of a visionary high school choir teacher and his students as they overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to become one big voice in this inspiring musical documentary.

As It Is in Heaven(sv)

A musical romantic tragedy about a famous composer who moves back to his small hometown after having had heart troubles. His search for a simple everyday life leads him into teaching the local church choir which is not easily accepted by the town yet the choir builds a great love for their teacher.

The Drive to Sing(en)

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced musical activities to shut down in March 2020, singers searched for ways to stay connected and sing live music together. Online solutions such as Zoom helped groups socially, but did not allow a choir to rehearse and perform together. Several tech-savvy musicians turned to old-school audio technology to organize parking lot choirs, with each singer safely isolated in their own car. The idea spread through social media across the US and Canada, and reached the attention of the New York Times, the Today Show, and NPR. "The Drive to Sing" tells the story of the parking lot choir, the cast of characters who worked together to develop and refine it, and the singers who kept their musical communities going during this time of fear and isolation.

Watoto Children's Choir MAMBO SAWA Life is Good LIVE(en)

Watoto Children's Choir gives an energetic performance of "Mambo Sawa" which means "Life is Good" -- Recorded Live at Springs Church in Winnipeg, Canada

Mr. Krueger's Christmas(en)

Willy Krueger, a lonely and aging widower, lives in a basement apartment with only his cat George for company. Finishing his work for the day as the custodian for the building, he ventures out on Christmas Eve to buy a tree and on the way, he imagines he is a well-dressed gentleman while peering at some fine tailoring in a shop window along the snowy street. Returning home, he falls asleep listening to an LP by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, dreaming that he is conducting them in carols of the season. Awakening to find some carollers outside his window, he beckons them to visit him offering hot chocolate, but they leave after only one song. In trimming the tree, he places upon it the mittens left behind by Clarissa, the youngest of the carolling group. Handling figures of the small nativity beneath his tree, Willy finds himself in the manger for the very first Christmas.

Kevin Davidson & the Voices: Overflow(en)

Award-winning gospel act Kevin Davidson and the Voices deliver an uplifting evening of music in this memorable full-choir concert, recorded live in Memphis, Tenn. An inspirational set list includes the songs "This Is Your House," "God Will Work It Out," "It Is Your Season," "The Tabernacle," "Overflow," "God Wants to Heal You," "I Will Call Upon the Lord" and "I Know What Prayer Can Do."

Song for My Children(id)

An elderly choir group brings back erased violent history by singing songs that were written in prison and have been silenced for more than 50 years.

Harmony(ko)

Jeong-hye gives a birth to a baby boy in the prison. Her and other inmates create a women's choir to compete in the national choir contest, to meet and greet their families and loving ones.

Sing Salmon Sing(ja)

High school student Kasumi Ogino is a member of the school choir and after years of praise for her singing voice thinks she is the absolute bee’s knees. When the object of her desires, classmate and photographer Junichi Makimura, asks Kasumi is he can photograph her singing she accepts, thinking this means she is beautiful as well. However the end result is a comical shot of Kasumi with her mouth wide open, which Makimura likes to a hungry salmon! Distraught by the ensuing humiliation, Kasumi quits the choir, until she is encouraged to return by an unlikely counsel - the brutish leader of thuggish rival all male choir, Hiroshi Gondo.

S piesňou do života(sk)

Old Harp Singing of East Tennessee(en)

A short musical film on the Old Harp tradition from East Tennessee, shot around a gathering in a church of the Smoky Mountains

Ritardando(es)

At a music academy, veteran Professor Victor faces challenges as he prepares to conduct his final concert with a choir of children who lack passion for music. The arrival of the academy director complicates matters, and Victor learns of his dismissal just before the performance. Determined to overcome adversity, Victor, with the help of former student Angelica and the child Albert, manages to lead the choir to a heartfelt performance, rekindling their connection with music.

Kesäillan valssi(fi)

A story built around the music of Oskar Merikanto, tells the love story of the poor musician Lauri Alanko and the daughter of the rich Grahn family Annina. Annina’s family doesn’t approve of the relationship, and the couple’s happiness is also threatened by Lauri’s worsening eye disease.

Heaven on Earth(sv)

A life-affirming story about how the power of love, music and dance can change people. This is a standalone sequel to "As it is in Heaven" by director Kay Pollak.

Steal Away(en)

An HBCU warrior choir fights the Ku Klux Klan's reign of terror against their schools with songs of faith and freedom, and after conquering the world must then conquer their own demons.

Our Hearts – One Sound(de)

A great symbiosis of music and documentary film which creates a true-to-life impression of the sense of community what singing in a choir means. Their film finds humanity in art and magic in music. A moving and immersive cinematic experience of great warmth, emphasizing the unstoppable power of community in times of isolation and understanding how music brings people together.

Choir. Conductor. Kamēr…(lv)

A documentary about the well-known Latvian youth choir “Kamēr...” and its journey to the Tolosa Choral competition. A debut from a 20 year old singer of the choir, the film offers a deeply personal insight into the most difficult challenge the choir has ever faced. After the head conductor leaving, the choir has just 2 months to get used to a new leader. A test for the new conductor who has to prove his worth at one of the most important competi-tions of the choir’s history. It’s do or die, as nothing less than a victory will be accepted. Following the choir every step of the way, the director puts the audience in a first-row seat at rehearsals, performances, discussions and spectacular moments that can only be seen through the eyes of a singer. An unprecedented view of the personal battles and achieve-ments, that lead up to a real-life story, never captured before.