Playing For Change

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Playing For Change: Song Around the World "Stand By Me"

Director’s Vision
November 6th, 2008

Playing for Change – Peace Through Music is a documentary film that demonstrates that MUSIC will change the world and help bring us all peace. The film features over 100 musicians and includes live performances of music ranging from native Indian reservations to South African Townships to performances in the Himalayan Mountains. Music has always been an integral part of the identity and expression of various cultures on this planet. However, music’s greatest power is its ability to transcend cultural boundaries and connect us as a Human Race.

The first event that triggered the idea of “Playing For Change – Peace Through Music” occurred 10 years ago in a New York City subway station. I was headed to work one morning, and while in the subway I witnessed a musical performance of two monks painted all in white from head to toe. They were wearing brown robes and one of them was singing in a foreign language while the other man played a nylon guitar. I remember seeing about 200 people of different cultures, races and genders, stop and listen to the music. Everyone there was so moved by the performance even though I can’t imagine many of us knew what they were singing about. It occurred to me that in this moment in time was a strong sense of human connection and the ability to overcome our differences as people. I decided right then and there that music is the key to a better world. I also realized it was my calling to go out and find as many of these inspiring human moments as possible.

I remember asking myself a serious question before embarking on the journey of making this film. How can I make a film that inspires everyone on the planet to come together as one? The answer is found in the universal language of music. Throughout the film we make songs around the world in which musicians from across the globe that have never met unite together to make songs. This act of playing music with different cultures, religions, economics, and politics is a powerful statement. It further illustrates that we can find ways of working together and sharing our experiences with one another in a positive way. Before we were ever different, we were all human beings.

When trying to document music, art and heartfelt dialogue, we found that inspiration and an open mind are essential factors. The driving force for this film is to find a way to inspire the planet to come together as a human race. We wanted to focus on our connections rather than all of our differences. We believe music can break down the walls and barriers between cultures and raise the level of human understanding and connection.

Here are some direct examples of what I am talking about. We traveled to New Orleans shortly after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The city felt sad and desolate, yet the music never stopped. The street musicians and music in the clubs kept the city alive and gave it a sense of hope. When we share the struggle of New Orleans with other parts of the world in the context of song, it becomes something that everyone on the planet can understand and be a part of. The same is true in South Africa. When we visited South Africa and witnessed the pain of the aftermath of Apartheid, we saw that through music we can raise the issue to a human situation rather than one of race and economics. The South Africans marching down the streets singing in groups of thousands did more to affect positive change then all the guns and weapons ever did. One of the musicians we recorded in South Africa, named Bhekani Memela, offered us this quote, “Because music knows no races, knows no boundaries, it is possible for music to bring peace around the world”.

Everywhere on this planet people play music. Some may play to celebrate life, some may play to stay as far away from the grave as possible. The reasons for playing music may differ everywhere you go, but the human impact it has on all of our souls is something we share. I believe that when people watch this film they will feel more connected to the human race and more inspired to help each other. Perhaps nothing can do more to connect a planet so divided by war, economics, religion, and race than MUSIC!! As Bob Marley said, “One great thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain”.

Peace,

Mark Johnson


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