sing, they all said, just sing
Sing, they all said, just sing is the story of the CeleBRation choir which gives voice to participants who have a range of neurological conditions. The choir was launched in 2009 by the University of Auckland's Centre for Brain Research with the aim to investigate the benefits of choral singing for the neurological population of New Zealand. It was the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere and has received national and international interest.
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Sakshi ChadhaDirector
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Sakshi ChadhaWriter
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Sakshi ChadhaProducer
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Sakshi ChadhaEditor
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Sakshi ChadhaCinematographer
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Kaitiaki RodgerCinematographer
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Shuting XiaCinematographer
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Project Type:Documentary, Student
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Runtime:15 minutes 40 seconds
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Completion Date:February 4, 2019
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Country of Origin:New Zealand
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Country of Filming:New Zealand
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Language:English
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:Yes
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Music Therapy Week New ZealandAuckland
New Zealand
September 16, 2019
Sakshi is a Mass Communication graduate and current film student in the University of Auckland graduate SCREEN programme. Sing, they all said, just sing is her documentary directorial debut as she aspires to work in the film industry and flourish as a storyteller.
When I decided to make a documentary about the CeleBRation Choir, I did not anticipate that it would be a profound learning experience and give me an opportunity to grow, not just as a filmmaker but as a person.
Sing, they all said, just sing is an expository and participatory documentary that aims to depict the therapeutic and social importance of the choir in the lives of its participants. Interviews with a speech scientist and a music therapist provide an insight into the medical and scientific methods that back the programme. However, the main focus of the documentary is the personal experiences and struggles of Roger, Ross and Tony - three long term choir participants. Their stories are framed within the choir as a group who showcase the sheer joy of singing together in a way that most of them thought would never be possible.
I struggled with finding the film’s heart - it could have been a scientific insight into the choir’s process but it is not as much about science as it is about the relationships and personal journeys. All the participants have equally enthralling and significant experiences to share. I started this project with a fear of not being able to be trusted with their deeply personal stories and ended with fifty new friends whose quiet courage will continue to inspire me.