Watch Junun

Junun is a music documentary that was released in 2015. The documentary follows the process of making an album by Jonny Greenwood, the guitarist of the famous British band Radiohead, along with Israeli musician Shye Ben Tzur and a team of talented Indian musicians. The film is a collaboration between the musicians and the filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson who previously worked on the film "There Will Be Blood".

The film primarily showcases the recording of the album in a 15th-century fort located in the city of Jodhpur, India. The film crew captures the intricate and vibrant collision of musical traditions that takes place between Western and Indian music. The recording sessions reveal a fascinating exploration of musical styles and instruments that are used together to create a new and captivating sound.

The film starts with an introduction to Shye Ben Tzur and his music. Shye is a composer and musician from Israel who creates music in Hebrew and Urdu languages. He has spent a considerable amount of time in India studying the classical musical traditions of the country. His aim was to create music that blended the Western musical sensibilities with the Indian ragas and rhythms.

The film features other musicians who were involved in the project, including renowned Indian musicians such as tabla player Zakir Hussain, wallah players, and harmonium players. The musicians are seen following Shye's lead as he explains the principles of Indian music to the Western musicians who have never played this music before.

The film is a wonderful tribute to the beauty of Indian culture and music. It captures the exquisite setting of the Mehrangarh Fort against the backdrop of the enchanting city of Jodhpur. The fort itself provides the perfect acoustic setting, enhancing the sound of the music and lending an ethereal quality to the album.

Junun is beautifully shot, with Anderson paying great attention to the details of the recording sessions. He captures the intricate interplay between the musicians and the instruments, as well as the expressions of joy and delight that flicker across their faces.

The film is not just about the making of music, it is also a reflection on the cultural divide between the East and West. It reveals the process of two cultures coming together to create something new and beautiful. The musicians talk about the challenges they faced while recording the album, the language barriers and the differences in approach to music.

The film is a perfect appreciation of the rich musical heritage and culture of India. It presents a picture of India that is different from the one propagated by mainstream media. It is a fascinating insight into a different world, one that is full of beauty and grace.

In conclusion, Junun is a must-watch for music lovers or anyone interested in Indian culture. It showcases the beauty of Indian culture and music and provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of an album. The film is not only visually stunning but also emotionally resonant, leaving viewers with a sense of joy and wonder. The music that is created is a testament to the power of collaboration and the magic of cross-cultural fertilization.

Junun is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 54 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 78.