Breath in, breath out!

In the late 90s, when all things lounge and 'obscure' in my little universe were king, Tokyo Panorama Mambo Boys was firmly number 1 on my want list for an obsessively - and quite disturbingly - long time.

I scoured the internet, harassed retailers on gemm, etc, etc - to no avail. Still extremely hard to find.



I had a similar 'problem' with the soundtrack to Monkey Magic (Godiego). This I did manage to get and even found some old DVDs. I have to admit it wasn't exactly Shakespeare but we loved it as kids in New Zealand.



I also had a 'thing' about getting the soundtrack to early Bruce Lee films - for whatever reason - and was over the moon when I found them in a record shop in Cologne.

Butoh Theatre

I first saw what I 'think' was a Butoh actor/dancer in Baraka back in the day. I was lucky enough to see the film 3 times in a decent cinema with a good print.





Rewatching those know, I've realised how much my portraiture has been influenced by the confrontation in the to camera moments in the film. That is, where the protoganists switch from being the observed to the observers.

The intensity and physical presence of Butoh balanced with an odd sense of delicate fragility is electrifying.

Explains a lot to the uninitiated....

Two New Zealand films explain a lot about 'where I come from'.... man I miss the short film culture that existed before NZ could afford to make features frequently. Think Leeming Aid, La Vie En Rose, Kitchen Sink, etc.

Baraka

I am still stunned by Baraka each time I see it - which is more times than should be 'allowed'. A truly magical film.

Evidence

This short film by Godrey Reggio chillingly explores the expressions on childrens faces as they are absorbed in (by?) TV.

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