DOCUMENTARY FILM THE SINGING REVOLUTION TO BE PRESENTED IN THE GE THEATRE AT PROCTORS, MAY 17-18, 2008
Schenectady, NY- The documentary The Singing Revolution will be presented at The GE Theatre at Proctors on May 17-19, 2008. On Saturday, May 17th the film will be shown at 7:30pm, with a theatre talk before the film. On Sunday, May 18th screenings will be at 4pm & 6:30pm, with Q & A’s after both films. And on Monday, May 19th screenings will be at 3pm, 5:15pm & 7:30pm.
In 1991, after nearly fifty years of rule by a brutal Soviet occupation, the small Republic of Estonia confronted their occupiers by announcing their independence to the world. Their charge heralded the collapse of the Soviet Union and the freedom of now-suddenly former Soviet republics. Music played a pivotal role in these historical events. The Singing Revolution tells the story of one country’s undeniable thirst for self-determination and its unshakable belief in what it means to be free, to be Estonian.
First occupied by the Soviets in 1939, then by the Nazis, and then by the Soviets again, Estonia lived through decades of terror. By the end of World War II, more than one-quarter of the population had been deported to Siberia, been executed, or had fled the country. Music sustained the Estonian people during those years, and was such a crucial part of their struggle for freedom that their successful bid for independence is known as The Singing Revolution.
The Singing Revolution is the first film to tell this historically vital tale. “This is a story that has not been told outside Estonia,” said filmmaker James Tusty, who is of Estonian descent. “We felt it was time the rest of the world knew of the amazing events that happened here.”
In 1999, Tusty and his wife and co-producer Maureen lived in Tallinn, Estonia, while teaching film production at an Estonian University. The experience sparked their interest in The Singing Revolution, and in 2001 they returned to Estonia to teach and also to begin the meticulous research that would anchor their stunning documentary.
To make the film, the Tustys interviewed more than forty movement leaders, Estonian statesmen, and average citizens. They also combed through archives around the world...unearthing rare, forgotten footage of life under Soviet rule.
Four years in the making, The Singing Revolution is a moving, intensely human testament to the sustaining power of hope and the motivating strength of song. The film reflects the indomitable human drive for personal freedom, political independence, and self-determination.
James Tusty and Maureen Castle Tusty are the primary filmmakers of The Singing Revolution. They conceived the film, meticulously researched the subject matter, and worked collaboratively as Producers/Directors/Writers on the project. This is the Tusty’s first feature film. Prior to The Singing Revolution, they have separately and together produced hundreds of programs, including television programs, TV commercials, and corporate films for some of the largest corporations in the world including Coca-Cola, GE, and IBM. Both have extensive international experience, having shot films in over thirty countries around the world. Maureen’s work has been seen on U.S. public television and she is an adjunct faculty member of Tallinn University in Estonia, where she teaches film production. Jim has prior experience with Eastern European production. He produced several Russian language programs for McGraw-Hill that were shot in multiple locations in Russia in 1986 and 1988, and immediately after the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, he produced a fifteen-part series on free market economics for Hungarian television. Maureen Castle Tusty and James Tusty together run Mountain View Productions, Ltd., under which banner The Singing Revolution was produced. Both James and Maureen will be present for Q & A’s Saturday, May 17th and Sunday, May 18th.
This film is one of six Emerging Pictures films to be presented at the GE Theatre at Proctors throughout the summer. Emerging Pictures is a filmed entertainment company for the digital age. Representing the fusion of independent film methodology and the latest digital technology, Emerging Pictures is a major supplier of original content to traditional media outlets and a pioneer in aggregating content for future delivery systems, including its own network of digital theaters that are being created inside of existing arts Institutions--Emerging Cinemas.
The use of digital technologies creates cost efficiencies in distribution and exhibition that enable Emerging Cinema outlets to present specialized content such as international film festival presentations, first run independent/international films, high definition productions of concerts, operas, live theater, documentaries, as well as children's programming and other educational programs.
The Emerging Pictures films will be presented on the GE Theatre’s massive screen that is 56 feet high and 34 feet wide, the same screen used for Proctors iwerks films. The GE Theatre is acoustically tunable with moveable draperies along the rear and sidewalls. When drawn across the walls, they deaden the reflection of the sound off of the walls, as is required for motion picture presentation.
- The Schedule for the Emerging Pictures films is as follows…
- Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 7:30pm: The Singing Revolution
- Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 4pm & 6:30pm: The Singing Revolution
- Monday, May 19, 2008 at 3pm, 5:15pm &7:30pm: The Singing Revolution
- Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 7:45pm & 10pm: The Other Side of the Mirror: Bob Dylan Live at the Newport Folk Festival
- Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at 7:30pm: The Band’s Visit
- Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 3pm, 5:15pm & 7:30pm: The Band’s Visit
- Friday, June 6, 2008 at 8pm: Bruce Springsteen With the E-Street Band: Live in Barcelona (Special Ticket Price $10)
- Thursday, June 12 at 3pm, 5:15pm &7:30pm: Pete Seeger: Power of Song
- Friday, June 13, 2008 at 7pm & 9:30pm: Pete Seeger: Power of Song
Tickets for The Singing Revolution at the GE Theatre at Proctors on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 7:30pm (with a pre show Theatre Talk), Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 4pm & 6:30pm (with 2 post show Q & A’s) and Monday, May 19, 2008 at 3pm, 5:15pm & 7:30pm are $6. Tickets are available at Proctors Box Office (518) 346-6204 and online at proctors.org. This film has a total running time of 96 minutes. The film is in English, Estonian and Russian with English Subtitles.
This performance is made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state Agency.
Both Jim Tusty and Maureen Castle Tusty are available for interviews. If interested please contact Leslie Anne Finn at lfinn@proctors.org.