While You Live, Shine

  • 80'
  • Ireland
  • 2018

This documentary takes us back to one of the oldest forms of Western music, using Chris King’s collection of 78 RPM LPs. King is an American music expert fascinated by early recordings of melancholy blues and folk from the start of the twentieth century. One of his favourites: the sad violin music of Greek Alexis Zoumbas, who emigrated to New York in 1910. It doesn’t get any better. “Everything recorded after 1949 is rubbish", King opines.

Duane’s title derives from the Seikilos song, the world’s oldest recorded piece of music, from Greece. The transcendental music carved into the stone remains alive in Epirus, where Greeks gather every summer to play, dance and sing. King travels there to experience the enchanting phenomenon that rekindles his love for this art form.

After the screening, stick around for a Q&A with the filmmakers and a performance by 78 rpm records DJ Blue Flamingo. 

Scopitone Café, free admission

  • 80'
  • Ireland
  • 2018
Director
Paul Duane
Countries of production
Ireland, Greece, USA
Year
2018
Festival Edition
IFFR 2019
Length
80'
Medium
DCP
Language
English
Producer
Paul Duane
Production Company
Screenworks
Sales
Screenworks
Screenplay
Paul Duane
Cinematography
Patrick Jordan
Editor
Tony Cranstoun
Sound Design
Leon O'Neill
Music
Costas Verdis, Stephanos Verdis, Michalis Verdis, Vangelis Verdis, Gregoris Kapsalis, Thomas Chaligiannis, Kostas Karapanos, Photis Papazikos, Tasos Daflos, Giorgos Gouvas, Giorgos Chalkias, Demetris Chalkias, Costas Chalkias, Apostolis Melis, Christos Chalkias, Demetris Chalkias
Director
Paul Duane
Countries of production
Ireland, Greece, USA
Year
2018
Festival Edition
IFFR 2019
Length
80'
Medium
DCP
Language
English
Producer
Paul Duane
Production Company
Screenworks
Sales
Screenworks
Screenplay
Paul Duane
Cinematography
Patrick Jordan
Editor
Tony Cranstoun
Sound Design
Leon O'Neill
Music
Costas Verdis, Stephanos Verdis, Michalis Verdis, Vangelis Verdis, Gregoris Kapsalis, Thomas Chaligiannis, Kostas Karapanos, Photis Papazikos, Tasos Daflos, Giorgos Gouvas, Giorgos Chalkias, Demetris Chalkias, Costas Chalkias, Apostolis Melis, Christos Chalkias, Demetris Chalkias