From Celtic to African Gospel: discover the sounds of international cinema

"Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent" - Victor Hugo. 

The role of music in films; accentuating emotions, dialogue and even silence, creates an entire sensory experience for audiences.

To illustrate the breadth of music and its impact on films, we've listed a few genres of music from around the world, alongside a few select foreign films on CBC Gem that showcase these styles, which we hope will inspire you and take you on an immersive cinematic journey of your own.

Semba

If you're in the mood for something warm, breezy and uplifting, then Semba beats are what you need! A rhythmic form of music and dance from Angola, Africa, Semba originated from a creative culmination of African dance and colonial European influence.

Characterised by harmonies on the guitar accompanied by rhythms of the marimba, bass drums and rattles and shakers, Semba songs are usually sung in a witty rhetoric, the themes conveyed through the music are often related to everyday life and social engagements. The versatility of Semba enables an artist to convey a variety of emotions which is evident in its presence at events of celebration as well as at funerals. 

In the film Rebelle (War Witch), Semba plays an influential part in bringing out the emotions in this war drama narrative where a child soldier is forced into civil war in Africa.

Listen to the soulful voice of Angolan music artist Artur Nunes in this trailer for the film Rebelle (War Witch)

Indigenous music

A soothing feeling of being one with nature is the tranquility offered by Indigenous music. Indigenous music communities in Canada celebrate music as a part of daily life with music being central to spiritual and cultural beliefs. Traditional Indigenous music is composed from drums — tambourine-shaped hand drums, water drums as well as large ceremonial drums, flutes and vocals. 

In the 2017 Canadian historical drama Hochelaga: Land of Souls, father-son duo composers Gyan and Terry Riley paint a vivid musical score inspired by Indigenous influences.

Hochelaga: Land of Souls narrates the story of a Mohawk archeologist who finds the remains of Hochelaga — his ancestral village under Montreal's Percival Molson Stadium.

Western Classical music

Taking a trip back in time, classical music has stirred up strong emotions over centuries of storytelling. From concerto to opera, symphony to sonata, there's a classical style of music that may resonate for all.

Johann Sebastian Bach's chaconne (a repeated pattern of seven rising chords upon which the music is built), has been well illustrated in concerto style in the film The Red Violin (1999) which follows a single violin over the course of centuries, played by different people across continents, from Europe to Asia and finally North America.

Composer John Corigliano won an Oscar for The Red Violin's neoclassical score which featured celebrated violinist Joshua Bell and well-acclaimed conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen to execute it. Listening to the chaconne is a rich and layered experience that leaves you with a feeling of sublimity.

You can also listen to the entire soundtrack of The Red Violin on Spotify.

Another noteworthy style of classical music is opera. The 2011 historical film A Dangerous Method, directed by multiple-award winning Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg, features the musical score of leitmotifs from Wagner's third Ring opera: Siegfried on piano by the Oscar award-winning Canadian composer Howard Shore. 

Here is Howard Shore's TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) interview on creating the musical score for A Dangerous Method.

A Dangerous Method showcases an adulterous affair between Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) and Sabina Spielrien (Keira Knightley), a young Russian patient suffering from hysteria, who share a common love for Wagner's Ring cycle operas.

Middle Eastern folk music

On a balmy summer evening, folk music from Middle Eastern countries spanning from is sure to lead you into a state of dreaminess. Melodic instruments such as the oud, flute, double reed and tambourine are significant to the music from this region.

The origins of Middle Eastern folk music can be traced back to the Bedouins singing a simple caravan song, the ḥudā', during their desert treks in 7th century BC, reflecting the culture of enjoying music collectively rather than individually.

The soundtrack of the 2017 Canadian-Irish-Luxembourgian adult animated drama film The Breadwinner is mysterious, pleasant and melodic taking you on an enchanting trip to the Middle East. The film depicts the story of Parvana, a girl in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan who has to dress as a boy in a bid to find work and support her mother and her sister.

Catch a glimpse of the music from The Breadwinner in this scene.

Celtic music

Picture yourself in a lush green meadow listening to the distinct sound of bagpipes coming from a distance. If this is a visual that makes you happy, you'll definitely love the uplifting, peppy notes of Celtic music.

Originating from the countries of Ireland, Scotland and Wales; Celtic music can be traced back to the 1600s. Popular for dancing as well as sung as a ballad, Celtic music has a varied melodic composition made up of instruments such as the violin, lute, flute, harp and bagpipes to name a few.

The Irish family drama film A Shine of Rainbows entwines Celtic music in its screenplay to complement the rugged and picturesque setting of County Donegal (Ireland). The film is based on an orphan boy who is helped by an extraordinary woman to transform his life by conquering grief. 

Canadian music composer Keith Power collaborated with The Henry Girls who were finalists on You're a Star, an Irish singing competition-based reality show. For Power, composing music for the film was inspired by his experiences growing up on the Atlantic coastline in Newfoundland where he was surrounded by the rich traditions of Irish folk music. 

Listen to The Henry Girls live performance, as a warm up to Celtic music.

African Gospel music

Soulful and heartwarming, African Gospel music is one of the few genres that will strike an instant chord with you. Euphoric and rhythmic, this spiritual music is rooted in responsive church singing. 

Starting out in the early 20th century, Zionist churches in South Africa included African musical instruments such as the djembe, mbira (thumb piano) — as well as lively dancing during their gatherings for worship. 

The Soweto Gospel Choir is a South African singing group who have performed an ensemble for the historical drama Winnie (2011) that focuses on the life journey of Nelson Mandela's wife — Winnie Mandela. 

Listen to Bleed for Love by Jennifer Hudson and the Soweto Gospel Choir from the official Winnie soundtrack for a soulful experience.

Reggae

Reggae tunes tend to transport us to a tropical destination with sunny skies, swaying palms, sifting sands and rolling waves. It's the perfect mood uplifter when you aren't having the best of days. 

The term reggae originates from 'rege-rege' — a Jamaican phrase which means "rags or ragged clothing". The African nyah-bingi drumming style and themes on love, peace and rebellion against extreme violence, poverty, racism, and government oppression are central to Reggae.

The 2012 feature drama film Home Again will take you to Kingston, Jamaica, following the lives of three young Jamaicans who grew up in Toronto, New York and London respectively, but are deported to Jamaica. Their journey covers the struggles they have to face for survival. 

Home Again's soundtrack is reggae-driven, which is solely used for an ironic effect. The background score's uplifting beats adds a contrast to the hardships faced by the young protagonists.

Russian folk music

Merry-making and celebrating life is well orchestrated by notes of Russian folk music. Lending to the invigorating style of music are instruments such as the fiddle, mandolin, accordion and a double bass balalaika to name a few. 

Russian folk songs are based on two main themes — calendrical events associated with harvesting and other farming rituals and the second being family life such as birth, death and marriage.

Canadian composer Howard Shore's musical prowess shines through in the 2007 crime drama film Eastern Promises. Even though the story is set in London, the Russian angle elevates the plot coupled with the folk music backdrop.

Here's a clipping from the film featuring Russian musician Igor Outkine on the accordion performing Dark Eyes — a popular Russian romance folk song.

Bollywood Bhangra

Need a reason to let your hair down and dance like no one's watching? Bollywood's foot-tapping beats will not be a let-down. Adding a layer of flavour to it are the energetic beats of bhangra — a folk dance and music genre originating from the Punjab region of India and Pakistan celebrating the arrival of spring.

Bollywood Bhangra is a melange of traditional bhangra beats and Bollywood techno which is a genre that has gained popularity in recent years because of its lively appeal. 

Dr. Cabbie's soundtrack emanates a collaboration of east-meets-west with Bollywood Bhangra infused with techno beats. Dr. Cabbie's plot is as colourful as its music, following the life of a doctor from India who migrates to Toronto in search of a job.

If we've set up the scene with the right tunes for you, continue this cinematic journey by streaming a variety of films on CBC Gem!