Happy Dox

Singing with Angry Bird

Hyewon Jee
Screening time  
02.03. / Thursday, 20:00 - 22:00 Theatre 1  
Korean opera singer nicknamed Angry Bird started the Banana Children’s Choir for children in the slums to introduce them to music from outside their daily reality.

Jae-Chang Kim is a temperamental Korean opera singer nicknamed Angry Bird. Five years ago in the Indian city of Pune, he started the Banana Children’s Choir for children in the slums – not to train them as professional musicians, but to introduce them to music from outside their daily reality. The choir changed the children’s lives: it gave them self-confidence and structure, and for some the opportunity to visit Korea. But much to Angry Bird’s frustration, many parents aren’t convinced of the choir’s value. The film follows him for a year as he attempts to involve the parents by having them rehearse for a joint concert with their kids. The project often drives Angry Bird to despair, because for people who have trouble making ends meet, work is always more important. Nevertheless, music provides a vibrant contrast to life in the slums. It moves both parents and children, bringing them closer together in the process.

Hyewon

Hyewon Jee

Hyewon Jee is an International Emmy nominated director who has been working in Korean TV industry for over 20 years. She started her career at a prominent documentary production company in 1995 and later briefly worked as a commissioning editor for TV Chosun, a nationwide general broadcasting network. In 2008, she established a production company, Upright Media with her producing partner Wooyong Song. Singing with Angry Bird is her first feature-length documentary.

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Singing with Angry Bird

South Korea
2016, 88'

Directed by:
Hyewon Jee

Screenplay by:
Hyewon Jee

Cinematography:
Sungduk Won, Wooyong Song

Edited by:
Hyewon Jee, Wonjung Bae

Producer:
Sunah Kim

Produced by:
Upright Media Productions

Festivals & Awards:

IDFA 2016; Tempo Doc Festival 2016