Listening (2021)
A short documentary portrait of Hildegard Westerkamp, the sound ecologist who taught the world to truly hear itself.
Listening - Movie Information
- Original Title: Listening
- Release Year: 2021
- Directed by: Mike Hoolboom, Heather Frise
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Original Language: English
- Runtime: 25m
Listening - Plot
Vancouver composer and sound ecologist Hildegard Westerkamp was the only woman to participate in the original version of the World Soundscape project that not only brought new ears to city life, but laid the foundation for noise bylaws/pollution standards, radically upending traditional notions of music and the role of the composer. Hildegard has brought the art of sound walking to groups around the world, and she has formulated a deep feminist ecology rooted in the body. The film offers a place for the viewer to listen, the necessary precondition for personal and societal change.
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Listening - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Mike Hoolboom
- Heather Frise
Listening - FAQs
Who is Hildegard Westerkamp and why does she matter?
Hildegard Westerkamp is a Vancouver-based composer and sound ecologist who was the only woman in the original World Soundscape Project. Her work helped establish noise pollution standards, redefined the role of the composer, and brought the practice of sound walking to audiences around the world.
What is the World Soundscape Project explored in Listening?
The World Soundscape Project was a groundbreaking initiative that brought fresh attention to urban and natural acoustic environments. It laid the intellectual and legislative groundwork for modern noise bylaws and pollution standards, fundamentally challenging conventional ideas about music composition and sonic awareness.
What is Listening (2021) about?
Listening is a short documentary portrait of Hildegard Westerkamp, a pioneering sound ecologist and composer. The film traces her contributions to the World Soundscape Project, her practice of sound walking, and her development of a feminist ecology rooted in deep listening as a catalyst for personal and societal transformation.
What is sound walking as practiced by Westerkamp?
Sound walking is a contemplative practice in which participants move through an environment while actively and intentionally listening to its acoustic qualities. Westerkamp has led sound walks with groups across the globe, using the experience as a tool for ecological awareness, mindfulness, and a deeper connection to place.
Who directed the documentary Listening?
Listening was co-directed by Mike Hoolboom and Heather Frise. Hoolboom is a prolific Canadian experimental filmmaker known for his intimate and essayistic documentary work, while Frise brings a complementary sensibility to this portrait of Westerkamp's life and sonic philosophy.
How long is the documentary Listening?
Listening has a runtime of 25 minutes, making it a concise and focused short documentary. Despite its brief duration, the film offers a rich and contemplative exploration of Hildegard Westerkamp's philosophy, practice, and lasting influence on sound ecology and acoustic environmentalism.
What genre is the film Listening (2021)?
Listening is a documentary film. It blends elements of portrait filmmaking, experimental cinema, and ecological inquiry to create an immersive meditation on sound, listening, and the relationship between human beings and their acoustic environments.
What themes does Listening explore beyond sound ecology?
Beyond sound ecology, Listening engages with feminist philosophy, the politics of listening, and the idea that attentive hearing is a precondition for meaningful personal and societal change. Westerkamp's work is presented as both an artistic practice and an ethical stance toward the living world.
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