Copyright 2026, Documentary Educational Resources https://store.der.org/thom-marina-c994all.aspx Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:57:58 GMT 60 Nexternal RSS 2.0 en-us https://store.der.org/the-sound-of-bells-p1012.aspx Product1012 Fri, 16 Nov 2018 12:09:00 GMT <div style="float:left"><a class="url" href="https://store.der.org/the-sound-of-bells-p1012.aspx"><img src="//cdn.nexternal.com/der/images/sound-of-bells.jpg" alt="The Sound of Bells" border="0" hspace="3"></a></div><span class="riRssTitle"><a href="https://store.der.org/the-sound-of-bells-p1012.aspx">The Sound of Bells</a></span><br><a href="https://store.der.org/the-sound-of-bells-p1012.aspx">Buy Now:</a> <span color="#990000"><b>$320.00</b></span> <br /><br /><div><div style=""><div>In the historic cities of Minas Gerais, Brazil, bell sounds set the pace of life, announcing time for work, rest, pray, and celebration. With over 40 different bell rings – a product of their Catholic origins and African influences – in the region, the practice has been nominated as Brazilian Intangible Cultural Heritage. This film brings to light the lives of the bell ringers and their young apprentices – men who have devoted themselves to performing this work as a daily commitment – and raises important questions about the nature of language and communication.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>The filmmakers travel to 9 cities in the region, one of the last to maintain the bell ringers' tradition, and question its impact on the lifestyle and identity of the people who live there. Going beyond the bell rings, the film looks deeper into the background of the Brazilian people and speaks about the history of their mining work, Afro-Brazilian exploitation, and faith. <i>The Sound of Bells</i> is a poetic representation of religious experience in everyday life.

</div><div><br /></div><div>The film&nbsp;is part of an expanded documentary project, which uses new media to support increased appreciation of cultural heritage, and to strengthen dialogue and understanding among cultures. The project combines new technologies, sound mapping, and community engagement in a transmedia production that includes an <a href="http://somdossinos.com.br/?lang=en" target="_blank">online multimedia platform</a> with sound cartography and innovative content, <a href="http://webdoc.somdossinos.com.br/" target="_blank">an interactive documentary</a>, audiovisual public interventions on churches’ façades, and an award-winning audio guide app for mobile devices.</div><div><br /></div></div><blockquote style="margin: 0 0 0 40px; border: none; padding: 0px;"><div style=""><div><div><i>“Part art piece, part documentary, The Sound of Bells centers on the dying art of bell ringing in Minas Gerais, Brazil and explores the bells’ past and present to a changing way of life. The documentary superbly shows rather than tells viewers about the bells’ history, religious connections, social importance, and artistry.”</i></div><div><i>&nbsp;– Amanda Jo Melchor, Reference &amp; Instruction Librarian, Texas A&amp;M University, Kingsville</i></div></div></div></blockquote><div style=""><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Selected Screeenings and Awards</b></div><div><div><i>Official Jury Award for Best Documentary</i>, 21st Florianópolis Audiovisual Mercosul, Brasil, 2017</div><div><i>Honorable mention</i>, 2nd Heritales - International Heritage Film Festival, Portugal, 2017</div><div><i>Best Cinematography</i>, 1st Mostra Sesc de Cinema Paulista, Brazil, 2017</div><div><div><div><div>Margaret Mead Film Festival, NYC, 2018</div><div>Festival Biarritz, Amérique Latine, 2018<br /></div><div>Boston Latino Film Festival, Boston, 2018</div></div><div>Finnish Anthropological Society, Film Programme, 2019</div></div></div><div><br /></div></div></div><br /><br />Visit <a href="https://store.der.org/thom-marina-c994all.aspx">Thom&eacute;, Marina</a> to see additional products in this category.</div>