Watch The Singing Revolution

The Singing Revolution is a powerful, emotional documentary that explores the incredible story of how Estonia gained its independence from the Soviet Union in the late 1980s through the unique form of peaceful protest that became known as the Singing Revolution. Directed by James Tusty and Maureen Castle Tusty, the film takes the viewer on an unforgettable journey through the history of Estonia and its people, showing how they used music and song to defeat a tyrannical regime and achieve their freedom.

At the heart of the film are the voices of the Estonian people, as they recount their experiences of living under Soviet occupation and the various forms of oppression they faced. Throughout the years, many Estonians had been arrested, tortured or killed by the KGB for expressing their national identity or for staging protests. Yet, despite this brutal reality, the Estonian people never gave up hope for a better future, and they found a powerful symbol of resistance in their singing tradition.

The documentary tells the story of how the Estonian people, after being forbidden from expressing their national identity for decades, began to sing together in public around the time of their independence movement in the late 1980s. Together, they created a voice that was too powerful for the authorities to ignore, and this eventually led to the fall of Soviet rule in Estonia. By using their choral singing traditions as a peaceful means of resistance, the Estonian people were able to transform their country and their culture, and inspire the world with their courage and determination.

The film includes interviews with a diverse range of participants in the Singing Revolution, including singers, musicians, politicians, historians, and ordinary people who were there at the time. Among the most notable figures featured in the documentary are Heiki Ahonen, an Estonian singer and songwriter who wrote many of the songs that became anthems of the revolution; Gustav Ernesaks, a legendary Estonian composer and conductor who led the mass choirs of the Singing Revolution; and Linda Hunt, the narrator of the film, who provides insightful commentary on the events depicted.

One of the strengths of The Singing Revolution is the way it combines archival footage, contemporary interviews, and dramatic musical performances to help the viewer understand the complex historical and cultural context of the events being portrayed. The documentary features a wide range of music, from traditional Estonian folk songs to classical compositions, pop music, and even rock and roll. Each musical genre represents a different aspect of the Estonian experience, and the film shows how these different forms of music were woven together to make a powerful statement about freedom and democracy.

Throughout the film, the themes of freedom, resistance, and cultural identity are explored in depth. The viewer comes to understand how the Estonian people's love of song and their deep connection to their land helped sustain them during the difficult years of Soviet occupation. The film also deals with the challenges that came with achieving independence, as the Estonians struggled to build a new nation from the ashes of the Soviet regime.

Overall, The Singing Revolution is a moving and inspiring documentary that shows how the power of music and the human spirit can bring about profound change in the world. It is a testament not only to the courage and determination of the Estonian people, but to the universal human values of freedom, justice, and dignity. Whether you are interested in music, history, politics, or simply in learning about some of the most remarkable events of the 20th century, this film is sure to captivate and inspire you.

The Singing Revolution is a 2007 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.4.