Laya Project

Posted by Darren on 16 July 2009

Laya Project

Laya Project is a non-verbal film dedicated to the survivors of the 26th December 2004 Asian tsunami.  Laya Project is a musical and visual journey through coastal and surrounding villages in the path of the December 2004 tsunami in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Myanmar and Maldives. 

The film uses music and singing as the common language of all of the people and communities featured.  There are some spoken words in the film, translated with subtitles.

Visual & Audio

As the music is such a part of the people featured in the film, a level of association is established, which has not been so well explored in other films in the genre.  The film shows the recording of the music and singing featured in the musical score.  This is a lovely touch, adding real association between what you are seeing, and the people who live there, that have shared the music and song that have got them through their recovery from the tsunami. 

Some of the performances such as in Aceh, Indonesia, are recorded outside the huts, in the jungle.  Whilst others, such as in India, are recorded in modern recording studios, featuring traditional hand made instruments, as well as modern bass guitars, and traditionally western instruments such as violins.

The quality of the musical recordings is superb, adding a real attachment to the performance on the screen.

The visual content concentrates on the people who live in the coastal areas affected by the tsunami, their fishing orientated lifestyles, and the beautiful landscapes that surround these areas.

Between performances/chapters landscape panning shots are used to show you the beautiful landscape that sits around the homes of the performers.  There are often glimpses of inspiration from other films in the genre, and on this website.

One Thai man, from the island of Ko Phi Phi, talks of his experience when the waves struck, his fear for everyone in this village, and his joy to find his distressed wife - because she was still alive.

The People

Laya Project shows how life is with the people, not how life looks from afar, through a lens.  The people of the tropics go about their daily lives in the monsoon rain.  They do not always have the choice to wait inside until the weather suits them.

I have traveled extensively in many of the countries featured in Laya Project, and I found the images and sounds resurrected strong feelings, memories and desires to return to these countries.

Laya Project spans continents, countries, religions, languages and environment, but retains its theme of unity through song, throughout.

The tsunami of 2004 was devastating to so many communities around the world.  Laya Project does not show the devastation from these tragedies.  Instead it shows the beautiful and strong people of these regions, their rich cultures, their amazing music and songs, and how their lives by the sea continue.

Images

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Video

You can see various videos from the Laya Project Gallery

The DVD

Each song has a separate chapter on the DVD.  This emphasis each performance and each location.

The DVD 'Extras' include 7 short films with songs and clips that did not make it to the main film.  These short films are equally entertaining, including clips of modern life.

Buy The DVD

You can buy the beautiful Laya Project Box Set, which includes 1 DVD, 2 CDs and 1 Booklet, in NTSC or PAL format, for US$38 from:

Websites

Credits

  • Executive Producer - Sastry Karra
  • Producers - Sonya Mazumdar and Joanne de Rozario
  • Film Director - Harold Monfils
  • Music Director - Patrick Sebag
  • Sound Design, Music & Recording - Yotam Agam
  • Editing and Post-Production - Arturo Calvete, Henrik Sikstrom, Jose Garrido
  • Line Producer & Research - Ernest Hariyanto
  • Still Photography - Timur Angin
  • Stage and Light Design - Jackie Shemesh
  • Director of Photography - Cheong Yuk Hoy, Agung Dewantoro
  • Mixed & Mastered at Clementine Studios, India

Thanks to Michael Genrich (Live & Distribution Manager, EarthSync, Clementine Studios, India) for sending me a copy of Laya Project, for his email conversations during my travels, and for his patience in waiting for me to add Laya Project to this website.  Please watch it.

Samsara Blu-Ray & DVD

Samsara Blu-ray and DVD
Buy from Amazon using the links below

» USA : DVD - Blu-Ray
» UK : DVD & Blu-ray (dual pack)
» Canada : DVDBlu-Ray
» Germany : DVD -  Blu-Ray

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This website is made with love, and does not make any money.  Anything received from my wishlist will help to make the website better,  Thanks, Darren.

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