While the Psychotronic Film Society tends to show movies that edge on the far side of camp, their last September selection while cultish, has some major merits, especially if you are a music fan. Or a fan of Iceland. Or a fan of music from Iceland.
2 years in the making, Screaming Masterpiece sets out on (to me: seemingly impossible) trail of answering the question most of us have while listening to Bjork or Sigur Ros: "What the hell is this all about?"
The first half of the film tries to establish the essence of Icelandic music. Tribalism and history play a great role, which leads you to understand the fundamental nature of bands like Sigur Ros and Mum. But much like in their music, please don't expect any cohesive narrative to appear anywhere. The film is as layered and segmented as some of the finest music that came from this country.
The time frame jumps from the 80s (is that a baby Bjork singing in her first band) to present time, intercepted with music showcases. It even, of all things, touches upon Icelandic hip hop, heavy metal and the like. Editing and/or critical focus was obviously not their priority.
It all turns sort of muddled and non-linear and occasionally frustrating... But what it lacks in (sane) direction it more than makes up for with amazing music. While Sigur Ros is never interviewed, Bjork does make an appearance, but musically AND in an interview. The musicianship is unbelievable: string sections layered on top of brass orchestras on top of delicate vocals to come to a wonderful climax.
And discovering bands like SlowBlow or Mugison is well worth suffering through those Linkin Park wannabes early on.
But be warned:
Some key questions are never answered. Why do most male singers have such high pitched voices? Why do the girls sing so unusually? Is Bjork actually human? What did a drunk Damon Albarn telling about Icelandic beaches have to do with anything?
regardless:
it is free.
it is a pretty seminal
and for more details go here
God loves a cheerful giver.
Iceland is the best!!! I definitely recommend seeing this documentary. My Icelandic friend showed me this film a few months ago and it truly astonished me the amount of great music coming out of such a SMALL country. And yes it is that small, everyone know everyone. I cant answer any questions except the last one - Damon partly owns one of the biggest nightclubs in downtown Reykjavik called Kaffibarinn. I guess that alone makes him some sort of expert.. ? Anyway, watch the fillm and if you are adventerous look up Ultra Mega Technobandið Stefán, they are my new boyfriends.
well. i'm obsessed with iceland - and icelandic music. and with sigur ros (translates to victory rose in english in case you care). definitely looking forward to seeing this. very excited.
and, only because i'm obsessed....kaffibarinn is definitely owned by the beloved damon. he loves iceland too. so much so he spends a lot of his time there. kaffibarinn, however, is a tiny little bar just off the main strip in reykjavik 101 (101 being the zipcode and the center of the city). it does have an upstairs that is equally tiny. i did see two icelandic girls dance to hiphop there once...but, two people dancing is almost more than the space can take! even though iceland is small, they do have bigger nightclubs!
i highly recommend it though....of course, just stop off there while on your way to the BEST bar in reykjavik called sirkus....