Own Voice

For over a century ‘Carol of the Bells’ has been heard across the globe, but few know this song as ‘Shchedryk’, nor its Ukrainian origins. Own Voice delves into this history, and in so doing provokes a discussion about heritage and a changing world.

‘Carol of the Bells’ is perhaps one of the most iconic Christmas songs. In more than a century of its existence, it has been heard from all corners of the globe, in Hollywood classics as in South Park. But few know this song as ‘Shchedryk’ nor its Ukrainian origins. Before it became an international symbol of winter holidays, the melody served as a tool of national diplomacy in the Ukrainian struggle for independence. 


Own Voice tells one of the song’s many histories – about a children’s choir called ‘Shchedryk’, founded in 1971 and still active in the present. Immersing itself in the choir’s hard-work, the camera not only delves into the archives of the song’s history but also portrays the choir as a source of inspiration in modern times. Focusing on the curious expressions of the younger generation and their strict but enthusiastic teachers, the film serves as an optimistic story about growth and heritage.

The film’s title refers both to Ukraine’s hopeful young generation and to the song itself, which remains a resounding Ukrainian voice in the international cultural and political sphere. 

– Sonya Vseliubska

Trailer

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