For most people, karaoke (in which participants sing along to instrumental recordings of popular songs) is a once-in-a-while pastime that's often accompanied by one or two drinks too many, but for others karaoke is a competitive sport, with national competitions that hold the promise of putting the winner on the ground floor of a career in music. Karaoke Fever is a documentary that explores the little-known world of high-stakes karaoke sing-offs, as a group of part-time vocalists set aside their families and day jobs for the evening to belt out their favorites, with a $15,000 purse and a record deal in the offing for the grand prize winner. Directed by Arthur Borman and Steve Danielson, Karaoke Fever was shown in competition at the 2001 Los Angeles Film Festival.
by Mark Deming
synopsis
