This time, San Francisco, Chicago and L.A. are getting the same kind of love as New York. Beloved Winnipeg surrealist filmmaker Guy Maddin (“The Saddest Music on Earth,” sometimes known as the “Canadian David Lynch,” though he is distinctly his own), he of the silent and expressionist bent (perhaps “Saddest’s” snow-globe cinema should be known as its own genre), is taking his latest movie out on the road. Yes, this means more than just prints being shipped to different art houses, it means, a whole theatrical experience.
Maddin’s new film, “Brand Upon The Brain,” is touring and being presented in spectacular fashion with an 11-piece orchestra, 5 foley artists (live sound effects to picture), a Castrato (a male soprano), and a celebrity narrator. Past and future narrators include, actors Isabella Rossellini, Crispin Glover and Joan Chen, performance artist Laurie Anderson, poet John Ashbery, and umm…Alanis Morissette (her “Humps” must be quickly accruing her street cred).
When “Brand” hits theaters proper, “Saddest Music” star Isabella Rossellini’s pre-recorded narration will accompany the film.
Check the “Brand Upon The Brain” site to get the full-listing of shows from the aforementioned lucky cities.
It might be trite to point out considering Maddin’s amazing body of work, but he also directed one of our favorite videos — the beautifully fitting clip for surrealist indie rocker’s Sparklehorse’s “It’s A Wonderful Life,” the title track from their 2001 disc.
There apparently is a 2nd version of “Wonderful Life” directed by Maddin, but I can’t seem to find it online.
To make it less trite, some clips of Maddin’s unique and evocative work.
A Trip To The Orphanage (2004)
The Saddest Music in the World (2003)
