Abstract
ASIAN ETHNICITY 2019, VOL. 20, NO. 2, 266–268 FILM REVIEW ‘We are here, we are alive, and we are ready to rock “n” roll’. These words, spoken by Natsagdorj, the Co-founder of the Hi-Fi Records Company, now known as the Hi-Fi Media Group (HMG), perfectly sum up the philosophy of the contemporary rock ‘n’ roll scene in today’s Mongolia. Film director Lauren Knapp’s debut documentary film, Live from UB (2015), captures the essence of...
ASIAN ETHNICITY 2019, VOL. 20, NO. 2, 266–268 FILM REVIEW ‘We are here, we are alive, and we are ready to rock “n” roll’. These words, spoken by Natsagdorj, the Co-founder of the Hi-Fi Records Company, now known as the Hi-Fi Media Group (HMG), perfectly sum up the philosophy of the contemporary rock ‘n’ roll scene in today’s Mongolia. Film director Lauren Knapp’s debut documentary film, Live from UB (2015), captures the essence of the rock scene of a fledgling nation that houses almost 50 percent of its population in its capital city, Ulaanbaatar. One of the least densely populated countries in the world, Mongolia has experienced a recent wave of migration to its capital city, a wave that Oyungerel, a member of the Mongolian Parliament, describes as being somewhat uncontrollable and unplanned, leading to an unsustainable infrastructure. However, this influx has also brought with it a unique identity that is clearly reflected in the music that is being produced. In fact, the lifeblood of the Mongolian rock scene lies in its ability to embrace the immediate historical past while harnessing its traditional cultural identity. Music and national identity are very closely connected, and the film illustrates how Mongolia’s
Asian Ethnicity – Taylor & Francis
Published: Apr 3, 2019
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