Cover Your Ears

When does art become obscenity? Cover Your Ears takes a close look at this question through the lens of the past 100 years of music and the ever-evolving discussion of legal and moral lines in the industry.

Freedom of expression is a human right that is recognized by the United Nations and is one of the most important pillars of a democratic community. But what if that expression doesn't line up with the general public's personal ideologies? From poignant protest songs to fluffy Top 40 hits, music has always defined our culture. With such a powerful influence on all aspects of society, the messages and themes portrayed by musicians have long been considered dangerous to some. This film looks at how the censorship of music has shaped not only how we view art and how it's made but who we are as consumers and free-thinkers.

Music is possibly the most ubiquitous art form in existence and is the borderless language of the world. Even before recorded music, the powers that be have always sought to control this language. How we talk, how we dress, even how we think is all influenced by music and the people who create it, making it a powerful and concerning art form. Whenever there is a clear movement bubbling up in the music industry, whether it be the rise of jazz in the 1920s, the Satanic Panic of the 1980s or explicit hip-hop of today, we can always see a public outcry questioning the influence these musicians have.