Written by Ted Goslin
In an age where society is looking so hard at itself and where it’s going (or not going), it’s refreshing to watch a film that makes such a hopeful comparison of the past, present and future.
Written by Dr. Kim Johnson, steel band researcher and Research Fellow at the University of Trinidad and Tobago, PAN! Our Music Odyssey provides the origin story of the steelpan, the only instrument invented in the 20th century. Utilizing a docudrama style with actors portraying real life figures, the story is intertwined with modern-day footage of several International players and their hopes of playing with the winning band at the 2013 National Panorama competition.
The film also features interviews with famed panists, Andy Narell, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe and Ray Holman, as well as pan tuners, historians and players who were present during the historical events portrayed in the film. The historical story follows an emerging band called the Maltese Falcons (bands were named after movies). The band is the first to create a full-sized steel drum with the full range of notes. This would gain attention from a rival gang, Red Army, who threaten with violence. As the story progresses, the power of the instrument ultimately leads to peace and an instrument is born.
The film alternates between the history of the instrument and the modern day Panorama competition where thousands gather to watch and play in hundred-piece steelpan orchestras. We follow individuals on their journey through the competition, including Eva Goldstein from France, a 10-year-old Trinidadian boy, Jevanni Clairmont, and a Japanese pannist named Chihiro Ninomiya who speaks no English and risked her job to play in the event.
While the docudrama format is difficult to pull off, the film manages to effectively convey both sides of the story while connecting the elements with accurately timed interviews. In one particular scene involving the intimidation tactics used by Red Army, 86-year-old Alfred “Sack” Myers, who joined the band in 1945, shared the film’s sentiment regarding how “terrible” the band was to its rivals, noting the weapons used.
The soundtrack supports the film brilliantly, with a mixture of classic “ping pong” pans used to capture the different styles performed, including a Chopin interlude. Other music includes more traditional film scoring, using all steelpans and scored by Andy Narell. Ray Holman contributes an original song, played mostly solo on double seconds by Holman himself in the film. In terms of its ability to both capture the elements and time periods conveyed in the story and how the story of the evolution of pan music is captured within the musical interludes, the film does so brilliantly.
The film’s biggest challenge is in what message it wants to convey. With so much story to tell, from both the historical and modern perspectives, it could have easily become a confusing, overstuffed mess. Instead, the film captures the right amount of each element and weaves all together effectively, so that whether it be someone completely unfamiliar with the instrument or the biggest pan head on Earth (e.g. yours truly), everyone can watch, understand and enjoy the message conveyed.
For me, being both an avid film buff and pannist/enthusiast, I’m perhaps the hardest type of viewer to please in this regard. But since the film succeeds on all levels mentioned above and captures the most enduring elements about the instrument, it works for me. What always stood out from minute one of hearing the luscious tones on those first triple guitars I played at age 14 (my first pan instrument), was the spiritual connection I felt when hearing and being around the instrument. For some reason, the guitar, piano, violin, trumpet and every other popular instrument that is considered main stream, didn’t do it for me. Knowing the origins of the instrument, from being discarded trash to the most treasured past-time for both a nation and millions of people all over the world, only added to the passion and exhilaration I felt on that fateful day. As a critic, I applaud the efforts of the filmmakers in their attempt to make a great film. As a pannist, I only hope that it inspires others the same way pan has inspired me.
To purchase the DVD box set, which includes the soundtrack to the film, visit http://www.pan.tt.
