There is nothing quite like diving deep into a specific and fascinating topic night after night. That is exactly how my partner and I feel when we attend one of the festivals at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque. The choice isn't always easy because the selection of films and lectures is vast and diverse — and, of course, our time is limited. At the most recent festival — Soundtrack — which took place in November 2025, music-themed films took center stage. In addition to movies about specific musical styles, the festival featured intriguing lectures on topics such as the use of music in advertising, copyright issues for both original works and AI, and the power of music itself. For me, the festival was especially interesting because of its deep dive into world music. I thoroughly enjoyed the in-depth explanations given by the flamenco singer, Yael.
I thoroughly enjoyed the in-depth explanations by the flamenco singer Yael Horovitz before the screening of the film "Fernanda and Bernarda." Horovitz, along with guitarist Ilai Borla, performed various pieces that included fascinating insights, even for the musicians in the audience. I had no idea how much Judaism and the maqam traditions of Arabic music influenced the development of flamenco centuries ago. I also admit I thought flamenco was a form of dance, but I learned that it is actually a unique style of singing developed by Roma people, with most of its songs being sad and heart-wrenching. The dance was only added later — in the 19th century — primarily to attract audiences and help the artists earn a living. Horovitz demonstrated flamenco songs and styles from different regions, and all of this prepared the audience for a powerful film that raised many questions about the artist's place in society. The father of the two stars in the film did not want his daughters to be paid for their singing, a fact that caused him great sorrow. Even the mother, after the two had become global stars, would have preferred them to stay at home, quiet and raising children.
In an era when women were denied education and personal development, were certainly not independent, and relied on a "man," the two sisters traveled the world together, conquering stages across the United States and Europe. In many ways, they were ahead of their time.
Here are some excerpts from the evening:
Another unforgettable film was "Calypso." Much like the movie about the star sisters, the subjects were all poor — people whose talent was their only wealth, and whose purpose was far from singing just to make a fortune. These artists were, in fact, determined to enjoy their lives despite their hardships, and their musical performances brought them an immense joy that filled their entire existence. The pride in the art of Calypso — a style of singing that always aspired to enter the mainstream but remained repeatedly on its fringes — and the names given to the performers, such as Lord Devonshire, bestowed great happiness and dignity upon these giants who could barely even afford teeth. Once a year, a "Calypso King" is chosen, and the film made it seem as though the residents of the Caribbean spend the entire year preparing for the festival. It is an event eagerly awaited by children and adults alike, who dedicate themselves to preparing the costumes and the impressive dances they will perform. Here are some excerpts for your enjoyment:
