Whose is This Song? 2003
Distributed by Documentary Educational Resources, 101 Morse Street, Watertown, MA 02472; 617-926-0491
Produced by Adela Peeva
Directed by Adela Peeva
DVD, color, 70 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Area Studies, Multicultural Studies, Music, Popular Culture, Storytelling, European Studies
Date Entered: 02/28/2006
Reviewed by Brad Eden, Ph.D., Head, Web and Digitization Services, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las VegasThis DVD, which has won numerous awards, documents the filmmaker and her travels across various countries as she tries to find the origins of a song that she remembers from her childhood. There is humor, tragedy, surprise, and even suspense, as she discovers that several individuals and countries claim the song as their own. From Turkey to Greece, Macedonia and Albania to Bosnia and Serbia and Bulgaria, the tune emerges in numerous guises: as a revolutionary anthem, a military march, a love song, and a religious hymn. The light-hearted investigation of the origins of this song becomes a sociological and historical detective story that focuses on the deep historical misunderstandings and mistrust among the Balkan peoples. This film is truly interesting, and the scenery and footage provided throughout of the Balkans is beautiful. A very funny and yet moving documentary of ethnomusicology explorations by one filmmaker.