Swiss Yodelling: 30 Years Later 2013
Distributed by Documentary Educational Resources, 101 Morse Street, Watertown, MA 02472; 617-926-0491
Produced by Hugo Zemp
Directed by Hugo Zemp
DVD , color, 89 min. (theatrical version); 56 min. (classroom version)
Middle School - General Adult
Music, Storytelling
Date Entered: 11/22/2016
Reviewed by Brad Eden, Ph.D., Dean of Library Services, Valparaiso UniversityIn the early 1980s, the director of this film documented a particular style of yodelling called "yootz" in the Muotatal valley of the Swiss Pre-Alps. Thirty years later, he decided to go back to see whether it had survived into the 21st century. Zemp found the 7-year-old boy he had recorded (now 37), but discovered that "yootz" had disappeared from the culture. Zemp's appearance in the village, and the subsequent reshowing of the 1980s films, invigorated the village to relearn the yodelling tradition that had been lost. This film is the documentation of that rediscovery, the founding of a traditional yootzing group called Natur Pur, and the subsequent effects on the culture of the village. The language is Swiss and German with English subtitles, and related resources and a study guide are available from the distributor. The original 1980s film can also be viewed for context. The extra feature (21 min.) shows the performers discussing the old recordings, their recent CD, and problems of innovation.