With its images of mountains and edelweiss, "The Sound of Music" might not seem like a natural fit for India's "maximum city," but the Bombay Chamber Orchestra begs to differ. Recruiting kids from the slums - home to half the city's population - the Orchestra sets out to stage a one-time-only choral performance of the Rogers & Hammerstein score.
THE SOUND OF MUMBAI: A MUSICAL tells the story of the tenacious, musically inclined Indian street children who are enlisted to perform a concert with members of the elite orchestra. For 11-year-old Ashish, like many of the other kids, performing in the concert means more than singing in a world-class theater; it also offers the hope of rising above his social and cultural limits. Highlighting the gap between dreams and reality while showing the power of music to transform lives, the uplifting documentary debuts WEDNESDAY, NOV. 23 (8:00-9:15 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO2.
Other HBO2 playdates: Nov. 27 (8:15 a.m.) and Dec. 4 (1:15 p.m., 5:10 a.m.), 16 (2:00 p.m.) and 17 (11:45 a.m.)
The film is one of four documentaries about contemporary India debuting on HBO and HBO2 in November. The others are: "Marathon Boy," the story of a four-year-old marathon runner whose rags-to-riches saga morphs into a tale of greed, corruption and broken dreams, debuting Nov. 3 on HBO; "The Bengali Detective," a portrait of Rajesh Ji, who solves crimes in the city of Kolkata while following his dreams of being a professional dancer, debuting Nov. 16 on HBO2; and "Pink Saris," profiling the unlikely female activists of Northern India's Gulabi Gang, who battle violence against women, debuting Nov. 30 on HBO2.
At the center of THE SOUND OF MUMBAI: A MUSICAL is 11-year-old Ashish, whose wide smile and optimism stand in sharp contrast to his family's constricted slum shelter. He admits sometimes lacking confidence as he repeatedly writes and speaks the affirmation, "I will not be self-conscious," but his natural charisma suggests he could go far, given the right opportunity. Ashish's greatest strength, like many of the street kids vying to make the cut, is the ability to look beyond his deplorable living conditions, remain positive during adversity, and continually seek a better life.
THE SOUND OF MUMBAI: A MUSICAL had its world premiere at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival and has a special screening at DOC NYC this Nov. 8, hosted by Michael Feinstein. Check out photos from the big event below!
THE SOUND OF MUMBAI: A MUSICAL was directed by Sarah McCarthy; produced by Joe Walters; executive producers, Helen Littleboy and Jim Davey; director of photography, Liam Iandoli; editor, John Mister; music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II; original music by Jody Jenkins.
Photo Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for HBO
Michael Feinstein, director Sarah McCarthy, President of HBO Documentrary Films Sheila Nevins, and VP of HBO Documentary Films Sara Bernstein
Leslie Stifelman, Sara Bernstein, Sheila Nevins, Michael Feinstein, Sarah McCarthy, Bebe Neuwirth, and Thom Powers
Michael Feinstein, Sarah McCarthy, Sheila Nevins, and Sara Bernstein
Sarah McCarthy and Michael Feinstein
Sarah McCarthy
Sarah McCarthy
Sarah McCarthy
Sarah McCarthy and Michael Feinstein
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