Private Project

SHU-DE!

Following in the footsteps of Paul Pena (Genghis Blues), Beatboxer, Shodekeh, travels across the world from Baltimore, MD to Kyzyl, Tuva, Russia to take part in a festival celebrating the 50th Birthday of the legendary musician, Kongar-ool Ondar. While there, he collaborates and competes with some of the worlds best Tuvan throat singers in pursuit of a goal to create an oasis of unity with music. Music is the language in this exploratory documentary filled with rare recordings and open landscapes.

  • Michael R Faulkner
    Director
  • Michael R Faulkner
    Producer
  • Trey Hudson
    Producer
  • Dominic Shodekeh Talifero
    Key Cast
  • Michael Faulkner
    Writer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Genres:
    Travel, Music, Culture, Asia, Hip Hop, Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 25 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    April 11, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    160,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Russian Federation
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Nashville Film Festival
    Nashville, TN
    United States
    April 16, 2016
    World Premiere
    N/A
  • Maryland Film Festival
    Baltimore
    United States
    May 8, 2016
    Maryland
Director Biography - Michael R Faulkner

Director’s Bio
Michael is a Baltimore based filmmaker, photographer, and performer. He grew up riding horses and singing choirs in Michigan. He later moved to Baltimore and fell in love with the city while working as production assistant on John Water's films and later as a location scout for HBO’s "The Wire." His journey with Shodekeh began late one night at a local cabaret when he heard the beatboxer do an impossibly long vocal drum roll.
Shu-De! is Michael's first feature.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

In SHU-DE!, which means "Let's go!" in Tuvan, we document an extraordinary journey of exploration and cultural exchange in such a way that audiences feel present amidst the landscapes and music performances as the story unfolds. The production was filmed during two month long visits two years apart to the Republic of Tuva which is situated in Siberian Russia. All of the music featured in the film and on the soundtrack was recorded live on location. The result is a road trip concert film with breathtaking sound and cinematic visuals. Lost in a new world, each moment holds the potential for discovery. From the heights of sacred mountains to the stunning expansive steppes of Central Asia, sound and rhythm are the language and guide in this musical adventure that offers to take viewers on a journey to fantastic places unexplored.