The Documentary Edge Festival Cultures Vultures programme is a celebration of riveting, enchanting and mysterious tales of music, magic and literary phenomenon. The Festival is on in Auckland (February 17– March 6) and Wellington (March 10 – 27).

The Sound of Mumbai — A Musical

The Documentary Edge Festival Cultures Vultures programme is a celebration of riveting, enchanting and mysterious tales of music, magic and literary phenomenon. The Festival is on in Auckland (February 17– March 6) and Wellington (March 10 – 27).

The Sound of Mumbai — A Musical

UK 2010 / 65min.
Director Sarah McCarthy.
Producer Joe Walters.

The Sound of Mumbai — The Musical captures you immediately with its contrast of the sprawling, cramped Mumbai slums with the cheerful voice of Julie Andrews. Director McCarthy follows a group of slum children rehearsing for a performance of the world’s favourite musical at the prestigious and affluent National Centre of the Performing Arts.

Ashish dreams of a wealthy patron and perhaps even a beautiful upper-class girlfriend after he wins the glory of a few solo lines. His family hopes that Ashish, with his command of English and new exposure can be the one to take them out of the slums. However, India’s rigid social structure isn’t going to be overthrown overnight by a musical but for those few involved it represents a precious opportunity to just maybe better their lives.

The Sound of Mumbai — A Musical overflows with emotion. For Ashish, songs like “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” or “I Have Confidence” speak directly to his experience.

Director McCarthy is careful not to let the film become swept away in optimism. The film is always aware of the distance between dreams and reality. Put to a timeless Rogers & Hammerstein score, this film celebrates the very human attempts to bridge that gap.

Documentary Edge Festival 2011 | Culture Vultures