13 October 2011

Korean film and live band

| NFSAnews
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korean film

Presented by the Embassy of South Korea, a free screening of the documentary feature film Intangible Asset Number 82 followed by a performance by Korean-Australian band Daorum will take place at 6.30pm this Friday 14 October. Bookings are essential – phone 6248 2000.

In 2005, Australian musician and director Simon Barker was presented with the opportunity to travel throughout Korea to meet performers of traditional music in order to discuss physical and spiritual aspects of Korean music practice. He met some of Korea’s greatest musicians including the late Kim Seok Chul, a Grand Master of Shaman music.

Film-maker Emma Franz documented the journey and the resulting documentary feature film, Intangible Asset Number 82 was released internationally in 2009. The film follows the extraordinary journey undertaken by Simon Barker as he travels throughout Korea on his search for enigmatic shaman Kim Seok Chul. Along the way, Simon is introduced to Bae Il Dong, an extraordinary pansori artist who’s inspiring life story is featured in Emma’s film.

Created by Simon Barker in 2005, the band Daorum features Korean pansori singer Bae il Dong, Kim Dong Won, Phil Slater, Carl Dewhust, and Matt McMahon. Daorum incorporates Korean traditional rhythms and contemporary improvisation, creating an exciting high-energy cultural exchange.

Traditionally, in order to master the various elements of pansori, singers would spend long periods in isolation practising on waterfalls. Bae Il Dong is one of the few contemporary singers to follow this harsh tradition. While still a student, he travelled to Mount Chiri and spent many years living by a waterfall, practising up to 18 hours a day in order to reveal “the voices”.

With improvisation, collaboration and mutual understanding as our guides, Daorum is an exploration of musical possibility by a group of musicians with varied backgrounds. Each time we perform, our musical and personal friendships deepen, as does our appreciation of the diverse musical traditions of our two countries.

— “If volcanos could sing, then they would sound like Bae Il Dong. The Korean’s voice has such breadth that it not only fills physical space like a lava flow but seems to stretch back across time.” John Shand – Jazz/new music critic, Sydney Morning Herald.

— “Daorum is an exceptional example of musical fusion at its best. Steeped in the conventions of modern jazz but celebrating the traditions of Korean pansori singing, Daorum is a rare musical treat. It is new, original, and very exciting.” Dianna Carroll, The Independent Weekly.

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