Big Voice

Has music every touched your soul? How about an educator or mentor?

Big Voice masterfully uses the art of documentary to remind us of the the power and importance of arts education. We experience a school year with the struggles and joys of students in their challenging high school choir. Their teacher/director, Jeffe Huls is tough but inspirational, serious yet fun. The dramatic turns of the film are weaved together with a masterful skill by director Varda Bar-Kar that reminds us just how very much we actually had on our shoulders in high school. Music and art and aspiration adds to that load for the students here, but they more importantly provides an escape, a passion and camaraderie unique to the choir room.

Documentary so often excels as a catalyst for important discourse. See this movie, share it with others, and then discuss the importance of music education in schools with all who will listen. Budget cuts and apathetic politics have been threatening and dismantling arts education for years.

Help to use this film about inspiration and education as a tool to educate and inspire.

I love this movie.

Watched this award winning film at the South Dakota Film Festival and loved it. Especially enjoyed the personal moments with the students and their mentor/teacher Mr. Huls. This film captures yours attention and tugs at your emotions, you will find yourself rooting for the cast or at least some of them. Technically this film is excellent, fantastic sound, lighting and cinematography. Although I love music documentaries,I am not a huge fan of high school choirs and was not sure what to expect however I thought the story line was very interesting and included just the right balance of humor and serious moments. I am really looking forward to seeing what this film maker leaves her mark on next, whatever project that might be.

I have experienced Big Voice in a festival in Sao Paulo, it was screened with the presence of Varda Bar-Kar, that discussed aspects of the movie after the screening. It has changed how I think of my students, how I think of their development as individuals and how as a teacher I can connect in a way that many professions don't. Connect with people. Not only connect, but bonds that are carried with love. Mr Huls teaches us not how to teach, but teaches us what teaching is. Thank you Varda for one of the best experiences I've ever had watching a movie! Teacher or not, it will change how you respect, acknowledge and see people.

Big Voice is a wonderfully uplifting documentary about teenagers striving for excellence and the choir teacher who demands it. This film offers a glimpse into a world that most people know nothing about. I was completely drawn in by the teacher, the students and their stories. This incredibly demanding pursuit is only one of the many activities they each juggle and yet each time the bar is raised, they strive to meet it. The filmmakers did a wonderful job of making the audience feel like we were at the choir rehearsals and part of what was happening on screen. I was incredibly inspired by the students and wold love to know what they are doing now.

This documentary focuses on the true trials and tribulations of adolescence. A team of high schoolers must learn to work together and learn the important values of what it means to set goals and the hard work it takes to meet them. Their choir director is a sage - he's seen it all before, but still, with each new school year, he is challenged to his maximum. Competition docs are interesting because they have a clear finish line, but this doc is special because it doesn't shy away from the grit and process that it takes to get to that award winning performance. The cast of high schools is vibrant, as are their parents. A great film to watch with your family!