This past week, ETSU celebrated the 10-year anniversary of “Banjo Romantika,” a film celebrating Czech Bluegrass music and its history. The film was shown at the Jackson Theater, accompanied by a live performance and a panel discussion.
Shara Lange, head of the Radio, TV, Film Program at ETSU, recounted the film’s history and her collaboration with Lee Bidgood, director of the Institute for Appalachian Music and Culture and professor in the Department of Appalachian Studies. The two connected around the idea of making a film based on Bidgood’s research into Czech Bluegrass music. The result was a film that celebrates history, culture and the ways music connects us to others.
“It’s such a great topic for so many reasons, including the importance of bluegrass music to this region,” Lange said.
The film features scenes in the Czech Republic, as well as concerts in the Down Home of Johnson City. Lange said this combination allowed the filmmakers to “connect the film to the place where we live and work, but also establish a link between our shared rich history and affection for the music.”
The film’s focus on cross-cultural connections and histories has made it a powerful story, earning recognition over the past decade, including a national broadcast on PBS in 2015. Patrick Adkins, who did color correction, and Martin Walters, who did the sound mix, were featured on the panel, as well as political science professor Dr. Michele L. Crumley, who Lange said was able to connect the film to history referenced in the film.
“I think people enjoy meeting all of the characters in the film,” Lange said.
The narrative weaves through Czechia, giving the audience an in-depth picture of the rich tradition of Czech bluegrass music. Lange went on to explain that in just 56 minutes, the audience meets “a banjo maker in the country, sit in on a recording session in Prague, visit a Czech legend, the ‘father’ of Czech bluegrass music, Marko Cermak and attend a rural music festival.”
Audiences connect with the characters and learn about the musical tradition and its connection to East Tennessee. After an impressive 10 years, “Banjo Romantika” is sure to have many more years of celebration ahead.
Those interested in the film can stream it at vimeo.com/ondemand/banjoromantika.
More information about the film is available at www.banjoromantika.com/.
