The Singing Revolution parents guide

The Singing Revolution Parent Guide

Inspiring from start to finish, "The Singing Revolution" has a wealth of value for use at home or school.

Overall A

There is more than one way to over throw a super power. The Singing Revolution documents how the people of Estonia raised their voices in song to regain their freedom from Russia.

Release date December 1, 2007

Violence C
Sexual Content A
Profanity A
Substance Use A

Why is The Singing Revolution rated Not Rated? The MPAA rated The Singing Revolution Not Rated

Run Time: 94 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

In a day when documentaries are becoming more focused on entertainment than information, one must dig a little harder to find a film that tells its true story using investigative interviews, careful research and emotional pictures. The Singing Revolution generously fulfills these requirements. It also gives a very personal perspective of what it would be like to have your country suddenly invaded and swallowed up by a larger aggressive power with a completely different political agenda.

Estonia, the northernmost country in the Baltic States, is separated from Finland by just a few miles of water. Near the start of the World War II, it was invaded by Russian troops. Then the Germans came. Then the Russians came back. And when the end of the war finally arrived, Estonians became pawns in a global game of chess. Forced to live under the umbrella of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), a cloud of despair—along with thousands of Russian immigrants and soldiers—covered the little country.

Needless to say, Soviet rule changed life in Estonia, and nowhere was this felt more than in their culture. As a people, they had a long tradition of using music as a binding force. Each year the citizens gathered by tens of thousands for a massive song festival to sing the music of the generations of people who preceded them. After the communist occupation, the music took on a more, shall we say “red” tone. But the Estonians had the perseverance to continue singing the music they loved, including the country’s national anthem—even with the disapproval of thousands of government observers.

This musical fortitude spilt into all aspects of their life. And this film documents decades of peaceful actions during which Estonians pushed, pulled and sang their way toward winning the freedom they once enjoyed. Meeting face-to-face with Russian military forces that could have easily overpowered them, these patriotic people demonstrated how principles and courage could hold back tanks and bullets.

Inspiring from start to finish, The Singing Revolution has a wealth of value for use at home or school. (The 3 DVD “Collector’s Edition” includes a license allowing the film’s use in K-12 classrooms, schools, churches and community organizations.) Parents and teachers of young audiences should be aware however of the inclusion of archival footage showing “real” people being shot by invading troops, along with scenes of bodies lying on the ground. Other moments of conflict are included, but end peacefully.

It seems there is never a period without political turmoil somewhere in the world. Yet, thanks to the people of Estonia and the husband and wife team who produced this documentary, we are strongly reminded that while we aren’t in control of what other people choose to do, we are in control of how we choose to react. Who could have guessed something as gentle as a song could have such a powerful force for change.

Directed by James Tusty, Maureen Castle Tusty. Starring Heiki Ahonen, Gustav Ernesaks, Linda Hunt. Running time: 94 minutes. Theatrical release December 1, 2007. Updated

The Singing Revolution
Rating & Content Info

Why is The Singing Revolution rated Not Rated? The Singing Revolution is rated Not Rated by the MPAA

This excellent documentary demonstrates how a nation of people challenged the occupation of their country with very little violence. Opening scenes of the film feature historical footage and stories about the many people who were displaced from their homes. The most explicit footage is in the first chapter of the DVD, which includes a scene of a soldier shooting a man in the head and pictures of bodies lying on the ground. Later in the production, scenes of demonstrations show thousands of people coming into conflict, however there is no overt violence shown.

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The Singing Revolution Parents' Guide

How can we, as individuals, apply the examples shown by the Estonian people in our everyday lives? How could their attitudes change your family or community?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of The Singing Revolution movie is October 10, 2008. Here are some details…

The Singing Revolution comes in either a single-disc version or a 3-disc DVD set with scads of additional features, including extensive interviews with many of the documentary’s subjects. The interviews are organized by topic to make their use in the classroom very easy. Additional historical footage, propaganda films, printable historic documents, chronologies and maps showing the ever-changing political landscape of Europe (in Microsoft PowerPoint format) are also on the additional discs.

Both DVD versions (single disc and 3-disc) may be ordered directly from the producer’s web site at www.thesingingrevolution.com. The single-disc version will also be made available at Amazon.com and can be ordered by clicking here.

In conjunction with the release of this documentary, The Singing Revolution book is now on sale through The Singing Revolution website. Based on the film, and written by Pritt Vesilind with James and Maureen Tusty, this printed work enhances the film’s exploration of the history and spirit of Estonia.

 

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Attempts to use peaceful means to bring about change can also be seen in Gandhi (which is dramatizes the life story of the man who helped India gain its independence) and Freedom Song (based on events form the Civil Rights movement in the USA).