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  Kristen Lara

By Kristen Lara

Daily Bruin Contributor

After college, the straight path to the suit-and-tie, caffeine-fueled “real” world may seem inevitable. By following their dream, however, Adrian and Roko Bellic are living proof that the road less traveled often yields the richest life experiences.

The Bellic brothers’ feature debut, “Genghis Blues,” documents Paul Pena’s spiritual journey. Inspired by their friend and vocalist, Kongar-Ol Ondar, Pena embarks on a cultural exchange fired by a passion for music.

“Often times people in college think they have to intern for someone, or once college is over you’ve got to get a real job and that you’re stuck in the real, cruel world,” Roko said. “I hope (our film) inspires people in college to do things that they’re passionate about, not just things they feel they’re supposed to do.”

The film was originally released in theaters in 1999, and was nominated for an Academy Award as well as being honored at both national and international film festivals. It will be available on video and DVD on Dec. 5.

“‘Genghis Blues’ is a documentary about two people, a dream, a journey, a struggle and, ultimately, triumph,” Adrian said in a recent phone interview. “It takes people to a place that most people don’t believe exists, to a culture that people have never before seen, and a singing style that people have to hear to believe.”

  The subject of the film, blind blues musician Pena, begins his journey from San Francisco after picking up a Moscow radio station on his shortwave radio. He hears a style of music he has never before encountered and is immediately enthralled.

What he eagerly listens to is Tuvan throatsinging, a musical technique in which one singer’s voice simultaneously produces multiple tones. Over time, Pena is able to master the unique singing style that originated from the cultural tradition of the people of Tuva, a little-known republic wedged between Siberia and Mongolia.

The brothers document Pena’s voyage from the United States, where the Creole American continually finds himself ostracized from society as a result of both his race and his physical handicap, to the land of Tuva. Through his music and with the help of Tuvan throatsinging master, Kongar-Ol Ondar, he transcends cultural boundaries and establishes lasting friendships.

Pena is immediately met with warmth and acceptance, eventually rising to become the first non-Tuvan to receive the honor of “throatsinging champion” during the country’s annual competition.

“The first time I met Paul, I felt like I was a kid going to see his music idol,” Roko said. “It was really amazing for me to be in his aura.”

“We knew anywhere Paul goes, magic is going to happen,” Adrian added.

On many levels, “Genghis Blues” is a film about personal growth. Through the Bellics’ work, the documentary poignantly and earnestly captures Pena’s strength and artistic genius as he surmounts the overwhelming obstacles looming in the way of the realization of his dream.

In the same way, the completion of the film itself is a testament to the realization of both Adrian and Roko’s dreams not only to travel to Tuva, but also to further pursue their chosen art of film cinematography.

Adrian and Roko capture Pena’s experiences on film as their journey takes them to the almost idyllic and mythic land that the brothers had been vying to reach since being inspired in college by the groundbreaking work of filmmaker Ralph Leighton and of the late physicist Richard Feynman. Leighton and Feynman were the two men responsible for first largely introducing the mysteries of Tuvan culture to Western civilization.

“The way (Leighton and Feynman) described Tuva – yaks, throatsinging, snow-capped mountains – to us, it was Shangri-la,” Adrian said.

While traveling alongside the bluesman, the brothers underwent their own journeys.

“After that experience, I’m about one hundred times better a filmmaker,” Roko said. “I learned that the most important thing in the film world is the emotion you can elicit from people.”

Similarly, Adrian found himself growing as an individual as a result of the voyage to Tuva.

“For me, it was a vertically integrated experience, meaning I learned little everyday stuff, stuff about myself, about humanity, and about the power of one individual to make big changes,” he said .

  To the Bellics, the completion of their debut feature is a success in itself, a success that was realized when they graduated college and realized the limitless possibilities before them. Rather than integrating themselves into the working world, both young men decided to pursue the direction that most intrigued and captivated them.

“The reason we made ‘Genghis Blues’ is that when we finished college, we were free for the rest of our lives,” Adrian said. “I hope that people can maybe see the film and hear our story and realize that we really have to get out of our comfort zones and try something new.”

The brothers emphasized the fact that they did not originally journey to Tuva with the intent of creating a message, but rather to pursue their dream, while perhaps inspiring others to do the same.

“One, I hope people are entertained,” Adrian said. “Two, I hope they learn something that they didn’t know before. I want them to think that if these crazy people can do what they did, (then) I can do what I want to do.”

According to Adrian, his hope is that the story resonates with the audience and motivates them to take all they can out of life.

“It’s important that people give themselves just a sliver of a break and take a chance and do something … for one week, work with the homeless or go to South Africa or study meditation,” he said. “Take a chance. Take it.”

FILM: “Genghis Blues” will be available on video and DVD on Dec. 5. For more information, go to www.genghisblues.com