Mountain Music of Peru

Produced by John Cohen. 60 min. Color. 1984. Available as: VHS and DVD Captioned: No Catalog #: 0048 Order this title Sale Price: $295.00 Apply for Discount

This classic documentary on the centuries-old music of the Andes demonstrates the importance or the region's musical heritage in preserving the cultural identity of the impoverished native peoples.

The musical thread that runs through the Andes extends back past the ancient culture of the Incas, and it is strong enough to have successfully resisted both the Spanish conquest and the forces of modern Western culture. This musical journey travels from small towns and remote mountain villages to the capital city of Lima, showing how Peru's popular music connects even the most isolated people.

This outstanding documentary will delight students and generate thought and discussion in classes in cultural anthropology, Latin American and Andean studies, ethnomusicology, popular culture, and global and development studies -- any class in which cultural identity is considered. It was produced by renowned filmmaker and musician John Cohen.

Reviews

"Superb.... Recommended for general audiences as well as for college courses in cultural anthropology, Latin America, and ethnomusicology." -- Choice

"Stands out as a beautiful, and often extremely moving portrayal of the vitality and importance of Andean musical culture in the lives of the Peruvian people. With great humanity, and an artist's eye, Cohen has captured the essence of a wide variety of Andean contexts." -- Prof. Thomas Turino, Univ. of Texas

"The simplicity of Mountain Music of Peru enables the viewer to be intimately drawn into the film and to become enthralled with the people." -- Joseph Bastien, in Anthropology

"Aglow with that special flourescence that colors take on above 14,000 feet, this breathtaking documentary records the struggle, pain and protocol of a living culture as exotic and elaborate as that of ancient Tibet." -- Naomi Wise, San Francisco International Film Festival

Awards

• Latin American Studies Assn. Award of Merit
• Margaret Mead Film Festival honoree
• American Anthropological Assn. honoree
• San Francisco International Film Festival honoree

Additional Material

For additional information on John Cohen and his films, photography, and music, please visit http://www.johncohenworks.com/.