Song From The Forest

Song From The Forest is a captivating movie that takes you on a unique, multidimensional journey where the borders between culture, music, nature, and civilization blur. Directed by Michael Obert, and released in 2013, the film presents an immersive experience that skillfully serves truth in a documentary form while also dipping its toes into the sea of mysticism, music, and the quest for identity.

The film's protagonist is an American ethnomusicologist, Louis Sarno, portrayed as an explorer of a different archetype. Almost three decades ago, he surrendered the comforts of his Western life to dive deep into the heart of the African rainforest in Central African Republic (CAR), driven by the calling of an enchanting Pygmy music that he heard on the radio. Here, he found a home among the Bayaka Pygmies, immersing himself into their society, and documenting thousands of hours of their music. Sarno built his life there, in the midst of immense natural beauty and an ancient culture steeped in song and dance.

However, Song From The Forest takes a turn from the quintessential narrative of an anthropological study. It introduces a fresh angle, turning Sarno’s journey into an intimate odyssey of self-discovery, human connection, and confronting unfamiliar territories, beyond geographical boundaries.

The plot escalates when Sarno promises to take his Bayakan son, Samedi Mathurin Bokombe, to America, the other world that his father often narrated about, a world that Samedi only knew in its sonical representation. The amplified sounds of an urban megalopolis like New York stand in stark contrast to the serene whispers of the African rainforest, creating a riveting cross-cultural exploration.

As father and son venture from the rainforest into New York City, we are presented with a fascinating juxtaposition between the ancient, secluded Bayakan lifestyle and the modern, hectic city life. There are humorous, heartwarming and sometimes awkward moments brought on by Samedi's curiosity and naivety about the new world, as well as Louis's struggle to fit back into a society that he once left behind.

The movie features American independent filmmaker, Jim Jarmusch, a longtime friend of Sarno, who adds an interesting perspective on modernity and urban life. Jarmusch embodies the spirit of resistance, questioning the ethics of this modern world, establishing a thought-provoking dialogue about identity, home, and the meaning of life.

Insightful and deeply moving, Song From The Forest is deeply entrenched in the ethereal sounds of the rainforest. Around the world, music often resonates as a universal language transcending boundaries and this movie beautifully captures that essence. The harmonious, rhythmic soundtrack intertwining with elements of nature provides a hypnotic soundscape that serves as one of the movie's major attractions. It’s a testament to the sonic fingerprints of cultures, captivating audiences and inviting them to reflect on the universal power of music.

Much like a beautifully composed symphony, Obert builds the narrative of Song From The Forest layer by layer, through actual footage, music, and personal reflections. Obert's portrayal of the Bayakan way of life with the highest regards for their customs and perspectives, is a significant strength of the film. He refrains from turning it into just another exotic display of an 'other' culture. Instead, he explores themes of belonging, contrasts and parallels between two worlds, and the idea of home, in a sensitive and respectful manner.

The cinematography is phenomenal, capturing the enchanting beauty of the CAR forest, the liveliness of the Bayaka tribe, the rhythm of daily life and ceremonies, as well as the stark and cold reality of the urban landscape of New York. The visual presentation of the film truly immerses the viewers in both settings, providing them with an experience of silent conversation with the natural and urban realms.

In conclusion, Song From The Forest draws a captivating portrait of an individual's journey into the heart of music and nature, while eventually bringing him, and his son, face to face with his past in the wilds of an urban jungle. This profoundly emotive quest straddles two starkly contrasting worlds - the Central African jungle and the urban sprawl of New York City - and uses music, the most ethereal of human expressions, to create a bridge between them. It transcends the conventional notions of a documentary, echoing the symphony of the human spirit and fostering a dialogue about culture, identity, and the essence of home. Truly, it’s not just a film but an unforgettable sensory experience.