Genghis Blues Directed by Roko Belic, 1999

Paul Pena heard a sound — something intensely beautiful but disturbing at the same time — coming from his short-wave radio. The sound was that of Tuvan throat-singers, a sound that changed his life forever and sent him on a journey across the world to a land unknown. In his search for harmony and the answer to a mystifying obsession, music helped Pena bridge two cultures.

This Oscar^®-nominated film is the story of a blind blues musician and his triumphant trek to the forgotten land of Tuva and the mysterious art of khöömei, or throat-singing, a seemingly impossible form of singing that produces multiple vocal tones simultaneously. Paul Pena, who has played with the likes of Bonnie Raitt, T-Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, Jerry Garcia, Muddy Waters and BB King, travels to Tuva to live among the descendants of Genghis Khan and compete in their triennial khöömei contest.

Bonus Features

Extra concert footage of Paul Pena and Kongar-ol Ondar; Commentary by filmmakers and friends; Interview with filmmakers; Paul Pena Bio; Tuva information page; Weblinks; Interactive Menu; English subtitles