Brian Levesque – Nodas. Launeddas at the Time of Crisis

Directed by: Andrea Mura and Umberto Cao (2020)

Duration: 29:52

Link: https://boap.uib.no/index.php/jaf/article/view/2918/3052

Keywords: Folk music; Economic crisis; Italy; Youth; Education

On the Italian island of Sardinia, conditions are bleak. Poverty is rampant, school dropout rates are high, and many young people are unemployed. During this time of economic crisis, an unusual revitalization of a traditional Sardinian instrument has begun to take place. They are called Launeddas. The film follows several young men who are very passionate about these Launeddas, showcasing their mastery of a near-lost instrument even in the context of the economic crisis.

Formally speaking, the film is not very exciting. The cinematography, especially with regards to shot choice and camera angle, is quite simple. Much of the film is interviewing the Launeddas players, and this can feel a little stale or played out. Despite this, it does not feel tedious to watch. It would have benefitted from some more interesting shot choices, like more dramatic angles. There are a number of decent shots, but overall the film is not exactly innovative in shot composition. It feels a little mundane. There are plenty of interview scenes in which we just see the workspaces of the musicians and they seem to drag on. However, what the images do highlight is a sense of bleakness that seems woven into the day-to-day life of Sardinia. There are quite a few shots that show the high-density living areas, as shown in the photo presented above, and there is almost a quiet desperation about them. These scenes are some of the most interesting, compositionally speaking. One in particular (included above) shows a dense alley. The cross creates an interesting focal point that contrasts interestingly against the claustrophobia of the alley behind.

The entire film is subtitled in English; the dialogues being in Italian and Sardinian. The subtitles’ direct translations do leave a little to be desired; early in the film, one of the players mentions playing “leaks” from other players. From the context, it probably means passages or “quotes” from other pieces and musicians, but the subtitles do not make it perfectly clear. Despite this, subtitles are generally easy to follow along, as the translations are simple. There are also times during interviews where we may be missing out on some nuance, but it is easy enough to understand. The subtitles do allow us to hear the musicians speak with passion about their instruments which are so meaningful to them.

In terms of content, this film is quite interesting, especially to those with an interest in folk music. The Launeddas players, who at the beginning are called “sons of the economic crisis,” have not completed their studies or held steady jobs in their twenties. Because of this, they have had time to sit with the Launeddas and truly become masters of the instrument. Lots of these players, as well as some other people interviewed, are frustrated with the school system in Sardinia. It does not make room for music; the young players, having found their passion for the instrument, find the school system incomplete. They feel as though their schools should have left them with a more well-rounded education. Even the ex-undersecretary of the Italian Ministry of Education talks in the film about how the system neglects some important subjects, stressing the importance of a holistic approach to schooling. The Launeddas are now becoming more popular among Sardinian musicians, and the hopes of the new generation of players will hopefully take the instrument closer to the mainstream. The economic crisis in Sardinia underscores the film as well; the young players all mention aspirations of a musical career, but they have little opportunity to do so. Instead, they mention different career paths; one player returns to school to get his high school diploma, and another takes a job as a bus driver in order to avoid manual labour (which he feels would interfere with this ability to play the Launeddas.)

Overall, the film is certainly worth a watch if you have any interest in the global music scene. The Launeddas is a fascinating instrument and it is exciting that they are experiencing such a resurgence. The economic crisis which underscores Sardinian society serves as an interesting backdrop to the lives of the young men who are mastering the instrument. The film is really a window into the lives of Sardinians, through the wonderful lens of music.