The documentary
Between 1939 and 1945, in the middle of the Second World War, civilized nations were tearing each other apart. In Trinidad and Tobago (Caribbean), gangs from disadvantaged backgrounds stole oil drums from American bases. They invented a new musical instrument: the Pan.
In the space of a few years, the pan has taken the world by storm and steel bands have sprung up in every corner of the globe.
Every year in Trinidad, philharmonic orchestras of 100 musicians from all over the world compete in the world’s biggest event for the instrument: the Panorama.
The film is the story of a fight against authority, of those who risked everything to make their art exist, it is also the story of the challenge of French, Japanese, Americans, of different generations who meet in the Caribbean to live their passion, a human, universal adventure.
This docu-drama, broadcast on France Télévisions and PBS-USA, traces the history of the inventors of the most famous instrument of the Caribbean. The film has won numerous awards worldwide: Best Documentary at the Reelworld Film Festival (Canada), Special Jury Mention at FEMI (Guadeloupe). The film was also nominated at numerous festivals such as the Washington DC International Film Festival and the St. Barth Film Festival.
Technical information
Runtime: 1 x 80’
Broadcast: France Télévisions, PBS
Author: Kim Johnson
Format: Docu-Fiction
Directed by Jérôme Guiot and Thierry Teston
Produced by Barthélémy Fougea, Jean-Michel Gibert and Kim Johnson
Coproduction : WINDS, Maturity Production with the support of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
The set
By the producer of the singer Calypso Rose, who won the 32nd Victoires de la musique 2017 (World Music Award) with the album Far from home.
The box set consists of a DVD containing a docu-drama that brings to life the turbulent history of the PAN as well as a CD of the film’s original soundtrack plus a few bonus tracks. You can hear PAN in instrumental tracks, solo and in a variety of orchestral arrangements, but also married to the electro of Jamie XX, and of course with Calypso Rose, the queen of calypso.
This boxed set also includes a copious 60-page booklet tracing the history of the instrument.
Publisher: World Village – Harmonia Mundi
