Watch Wandering Muse

Wandering Muse is a documentary film that chronicles the lives of various musicians who come from different parts of the world. The movie captures the essence of music as a cultural, social, and emotional expression, and how it serves as a common language that bridges gaps of ethnicity, race, religion, and background. The film is directed by Tamás Wormser, and it takes the audience on a journey that explores the lives of different musicians from Hungary, Cuba, India, Palestine, and Ukraine. The documentary boasts exceptional cinematography and captures the sights and sounds of each musician's daily life with precision and empathy.

The movie starts with a glimpse of the Bethlehem Music School in Palestine, where young children are taught how to play different musical instruments. The school is a reflection of how music helps create a sense of normalcy in the lives of people living in conflict-ridden areas. The documentary then moves to Hungary, where Laszlo Goz is shown playing his Hurdy-gurdy in a traditional Hungarian village. The camera captures the almost hypnotic sound of the instrument, and the musician's expressions highlight the joy he feels while performing.

In Cuba, the movie follows the lives of several musicians who play a variety of instruments, including the bata and the tres. They talk about their love for music and how it has helped them cope with the various challenges they have faced in life. Rafael Ábalos, who plays the tres, explains how music helped him deal with the loss of his father, who was a musician himself. He describes how music helped him find his father's voice and presence even after he was gone.

In India, the movie showcases the life of renowned tabla player, Zakir Hussain. Hussain is shown in his hometown, where he reminisces about his childhood and how his father helped him start his journey in music. He also talks about how his music transcends boundaries, and people from different parts of the world can connect with it. The film also features a section where Hussain and other musicians from India collaborate with Grammy-award winning percussionist, Giovanni Hidalgo, from Puerto Rico. This section showcases the universal language of music and how it can bring people from different parts of the world together.

The documentary also features Ukraine's Gypsy band, DakhaBrakha, who are known for their Bohemian style of music, which features traditional folk instruments such as the cello and the accordion. The band talks about how they are preserving their culture through music, and the challenges they face in a country that is still grappling with its own identity.

Throughout the film, the audience is exposed to a wide variety of music genres, from classical Indian music to Cuban jazz, and from traditional Hungarian folk music to Gypsy punk. The documentary showcases how each musician has his/her unique style and interpretation of music, and how they have overcome cultural and personal obstacles to make music their life's passion.

Wandering Muse is a beautiful and thought-provoking film that celebrates the power of music and its ability to unite people from different cultures and backgrounds. The documentary effectively captures the essence of each musician's life, and how they have used music to express themselves and connect with others. The film is a testament to the fact that music truly is a universal language that transcends boundaries and brings people together in ways that nothing else can.