Genghis Blues

Released Jul 9, 1999

1h 28m

Documentary

List

75%

Tomatometer

12 Reviews

90%

Audience Score

1,000+ Ratings

At once whimsical and profound, "Genghis Blues" chronicles the journey of blind blues legend Paul Pena as he discovers the ancient art of Tuvan throat singing and participates in the national competition. Belic's brand of freestyle filmmaking brings an infectious energy to this documentary, which is both a powerful, personal portrait of a musician and the story of a unique cultural exchange.

Read More

Read Less

Prime Video

Rent Genghis Blues on Prime Video, or buy it on Prime Video.

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B+

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Rated: 3/4

Mar 19, 2002

Full Review

Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 4/5

Mar 21, 2001

Full Review

Michael Szymanski

Zap2it.com

Rated: 1/5

Jan 25, 2003

Full Review

Jon Niccum

The Pitch

The film, like the music it spotlights, begins to drone.

Rated: 2/4

Nov 13, 2002

Full Review

Paula Nechak

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Rated: B

Apr 3, 2002

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

Es una gran historia aunque no muy bien llevada por los realizadores. Aún así es una permanente sorpresa, una vuelta por lo desconocido para casi todos. Pudo ser mejor es verdad, y hay evidentemente escenas que sobran, pero la sola intención vale la pena.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It's unfortunate that the only two highlighted reviews here on RT are from ignorant assholes with zero empathy. It's one of the most heart-felt documentaries I've ever seen. I question the authenticity of those who apparently have never experienced sadness and true joy.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Genghis Blues es un documental de dos mundos que jamás debieron encontrarse. El de un músico ciego americano, cantante de blues, que en tardes de ocio descubre una de las mayores manifestaciones artísticas humanas. Se trata de la música proveniente de la pequeña Tuva, una region al sur de Rusia, cerca de Mongolia, donde con el poder de la voz construyen una serie de sonidos que nada envidian a instrumentos occidentales. Desde entonces, Pena buscará conocer la cultura, y tendrá el viaje de su vida. Recomendable.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A low budget production, but an interesting story about a blind blues singer from San Francisco who teaches himself the almost inhuman sounding techniques of Tuvan throat singing, and which takes him on a very unlikely journey. Immensely human. Worth watching.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An extraordinary tale of music, acceptance and personal drama, it shows signs of being made of amateur filmmakers but the human drama is undeniable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the most unique documentaries out there.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Roko Belic

Director

Kongar-ol Ondar

Self

Paul Pena

Self

B.B. King

Self

Richard Feynman

Himself (archive footage)

Adrian Belic

Producer

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

92%

80%

Dancemaker

87%

87%

Calle 54

82%

83%

Beyond the Mat

83%

88%

Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony

80%

85%

Divine Trash

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

At once whimsical and profound, "Genghis Blues" chronicles the journey of blind blues legend Paul Pena as he discovers the ancient art of Tuvan throat singing and participates in the national competition. Belic's brand of freestyle filmmaking brings an infectious energy to this documentary, which is both a powerful, personal portrait of a musician and the story of a unique cultural exchange.

Director: Roko Belic
Producer: Roko Belic
Distributor: Roxie Releasing
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 9, 1999, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 20, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $323.9K
Runtime: 1h 28m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby

Most Popular at Home Now