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Genghis Blues

Play trailer Poster for Genghis Blues Released Jul 9, 1999 1h 28m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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82% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 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.

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Genghis Blues

Critics Reviews

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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 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 Jeremiah Kipp Filmcritic.com Rated: 4/5 Feb 1, 2001 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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
Genghis Blues

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Cast & Crew

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Roko Belic

Director

Kongar-ol Ondar

Self

Paul Pena

Self

B.B. King

Self

Richard Feynman

Himself (archive footage)

Roko Belic

Screenwriter

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Genghis Blues

Genghis Blues (1999) Genghis Blues (1999) View more photos

Movie Info

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
Adrian Belic, Roko Belic
Screenwriter
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
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