The story behind director Thomas White’s film “Who’s Crazy?” is almost as odd as the actual plot of the film. After premiering at the 1966 Cannes Film Festival, the film was thought lost. Never to be seen publicly again, the film should have faded off into obscurity, but there was still a piece of it that went on to become famous – the soundtrack. The score, written and performed by jazz legend Ornette Coleman, later became popular among aficionados of the genre, but the film that inspired it was never to be seen. That is until earlier this year.
After a very long and extensive search that included calling every Thomas White in the phone book, producer and director Vanessa McDonnell, a huge fan of Coleman, finally found a print of the film. She was able to locate and contact Thomas White himself, and sure enough, the reclusive director had a print in his garage that had been sitting there for decades. After obtaining and fully restoring the print, audiences are finally able to see what inspired the famous score.
The newly released trailer for the restored film is light on story, but it conveys the general feel of a film that being called experimental would be an understatement. The premise is simple; a group of mentally ill patients are on a bus going through Belgium. After a mechanical problem, and an attempted escape by a couple of patients, the rest of the patients end up running away to an abandoned building where they create their own manic society. Composed by legendary jazz musician Ornette Coleman and a trio of musicians, the score of the film was written and recorded in one sitting, while they watched the film being projected before them and is just as avant-garde as the film.
“Who’s Crazy?” is the first and only film directed by Thomas White. Upon its re-release earlier this year in New York City, the film was praised by critics. It’s wonderful that any fans of experimental cinema, and great jazz, are able to get their chance to see this film. “Who’s Crazy?” is now playing international festivals, and keep an eye out for repertory house screenings.
