An episode of Image Union featuring the work "One Sturdy String" by Mirko Popadic. A history of traditional Serbian music. Some footage from Popadic's "Serbian Wedding" tape. We see the different ways Serbian Chicagoans incorporate this music into their lives, from extremely traditional performances to weddings to rock interpretations. We see footage of the Kapugi brothers playing the tamburitza. There is a lot of talk about the happiness produced by Serbian music and about the ways it combines with American music. Followed by "Studs Terkel at the Steel Mill" featuring Studs Terkel interviewing steel worker and organizer Alice Peurala.
0:00Copy video clip URL Color bars0
0:40Copy video clip URL Image Union opening.
1:26Copy video clip URL “One Sturdy String” by Mirko Popadic. A history of traditional Serbian music. Some footage from Popadic’s “Serbian Wedding” tape. We see the different ways Serbian Chicagoans incorporate this music into their lives, from extremely traditional performances to weddings to rock interpretations. We see footage of the Kapugi brothers playing the tamburitza. There is a lot of talk about the happiness produced by Serbian music and about the ways it combines with American music.
1:45Copy video clip URL Circle of Serbian dancers around an accordion. Music was a way of “preserving the history and culture of old Serbia.”
2:42Copy video clip URL Older man playing a traditional Serbian string instrument, the gusle. Narrator translates the lyrics.
5:03Copy video clip URL Another circle of dancers, clad in purple dresses and wearing flowers in their hair.”You can’t have a Serbian wedding without music. It’s such a big part of the wedding. There are songs you sing when the bride comes out of the church. There are songs you sing when they come out of the church.”
6:46Copy video clip URL Cut to religious ceremony of the wedding inside church. A priest holds a crown. The bride and groom kiss the crown. It is placed on the bride’s head and the people attending begin to sing. Church bells ring and they proceed outsdie.
8:20Copy video clip URL Serbian youth playing rock and roll. “I’ve always been into rock before I got into Serbian.” The band plays a mixture of Serbian music and rock and roll:
“The kids come but the adults hire us…they like seeing us up on stage, instead of a bunch of 55 year-olds.” Footage from inside a wedding reception.
14:17Copy video clip URL A younger band member describes older men playing Serbian music from 8pm until 2am “just for the love of it.” Footage from inside a Serbian bar with the older men playing.
16:48Copy video clip URL Interview with an older Serbian man who arrived in Chicago in 1928. He came to Chicago cause he didn’t want to work in a coal mine. He describes learning songs from the old-timers, and now passing those same songs onto the younger generation.
19:58Copy video clip URL “Nothing in the world compares to our music.” Various men extol the virtues of Serbian music and their love for it.
22:50Copy video clip URL Credits.
23:55Copy video clip URL “Studs Terkel At The Steel Mill” by The Public Interest Video Network. Terkel talks to Alice Peurala in South Chicago about the troubles steel mill workers are facing and the negative impact of Reagan’s presidency. Peurala stresses solidarity for workers. Terkel likens the current situation at the mill (it is refusing new applications) to the situation during the Great Depression. Peurala predicts disaster for the country if workers are further and further disadvantaged by Reagan’s policies.
24:27Copy video clip URL Peurala reports that less than half the workforce is employed.”Solidarity is the anthem of the American Labor Movement…we have to be together, cause if we’re not together, then Reagan and his friends will wipe us out…we’re going to stop this onslaught on our rights.”
25:33Copy video clip URL Terkel: “Behind us appears empty mills.” Peurala describes how machines have replaced workers. Terkel notes a sign on the doors to the mills: “No job applications accepted.”
28:09Copy video clip URL Terkel asks several workers what Reagan means to them.They are not in favor of him.
28:44Copy video clip URL Image Union end credits.
1 Comment
Hi,
I am the granddaughter of Frank Kapugi and the great niece of Marty. I remember watching a longer version of this and was wondering if I could buy a copy?