Plot

A documentary about the origins and legacy of Bouzouki, an instrument which dominated the Greek folk music era of the 2Oth century in Greece.

Bouzouki, Greece's most beloved musical instrument, went through a notorious phase where rebetiko songs where banned and its musicians were persecuted. Decades afterwards, it became the instrument of mainstream entertainment. Nowadays, numerous crises have hit Greek society and possibly brought along a re-evaluation of the importance of tradition and transmission, of coming together and creating solidarity through music.

Through the history of bouzouki, Broken Sound offers an overview of the narrative, as well as a cultural identity of modern Greek society . Although consumerism, globalisation and digitalisation of our social interactions felt as if the tradition of bouzouki and folklore music would fade with time, a new generation of young bouzouki players and bearers of its authentic culture emerge. A collective character of bouzouki player is composed through interviews of major figures in the modern history of bouzouki, but also archive material from films, TV recordings and live performance.

This documentary doesn't only focus on the documentation of the instrument and its music, but also delves into the soul and emotions of the soloists playing it, exploring its social implications and concurrent trends. The bouzouki -from its rise to its decay -is "resurrected" and returns again and again to enter our hearts and soul with the radiant sound that distinguishes it. With authenticity, unadorned graciousness, and rhythm, this 80 - minute film deals extensively with the most famous and representative Greek musical instrument. For the people who made Bouzouki the emblematic instrument of Greek folk music worldwide, it was a labor of love. But does this instrument remain at the heart of the Greek musical identity today?