9 February 2009
GREAT MUSIC – check. Beautiful images – check. Excellent cinematography – check. Philosophical musings on the state of the human condition, specifically on topics such as childhood, relationships, ego, old age, consumerism and capitalism – check.
Last week Yvonne and I went to the St. Kilda OpenAir, a summertime rooftop screening experience. On top of the St. Kilda seabaths is a large inflatable television onto which movies are projected. It’s a different kind of cinematic experience. Grab a beer or wine from the bar, settle into a beanbag at the back or one of the beach loungers nearer the front, and kick back. Take in the fresh ocean breezes coming off of Port Phillip Bay and watch the sun melt into a fiery orange as it slips below the horizon. A bit too nippy for you? Grab a blanket from the front and drape it around yourself and your honey and snuggle up.
View from the roof
Each evening a different show is played. They start the projection shortly after sunset, but before that a DJ spins some tunes or a live band plays for your entertainment (we had both). We attended an interesting sounding documentary called “What About Me?“. It is the culmination of four years work and collaboration of dozens of entertainers and thinkers from 50 different spots on the globe. Michael Stipe, KD Lang, Maxi Jazz, and Carlos Santana are some of the faces and voices you will recognize. A lot you won’t because they were found on location, but in this film are just as prominent as the celebrities. Eckhart Tolle, Noam Chomsky, Deepak Chopra and a host of other intellectuals and spiritual teachers make appearances and speak frankly about the state of humanity.
It is an orgasmic sensory experience, best viewed on large screen and heard through pounding surround sound speakers. The music, from India, Africa, South America, China, and many other places, is laid over a generic beat that the two creators carried around with them while traveling. The musicians and singers they found listened to this beat over headphones and then injected their own personality and culture. The filming is astounding and enrapturing. You will not be able to peel your eyes away. One memorable quote from the movie, speaking of the precariousness of life, is “everyone has one foot on a banana peel, and the other in the grave”.
Here is a review from the Amazon site selling the DVD:
“…I cannot come up with a superlative good enough for ‘What About Me’….but I will try. There is something about this wonderful film that awakens a very positive spirit in the viewer…like, let’s run out into the street and start dancing kind of thing…The film is beautifully and meticulously crafted and a pure joy to behold. The musical soundtrack is a mindblowing blend of some of the best music from the world music scene. While listening to it I was at times moved to tears by the musicians dynamic and heartfelt performances. The interviews were inspiring and thought provoking and too many to comment on in full…The visuals from ethnic cultures were poignant, colourful and emotive. Urban scenes in your face, real and disturbing, yet somehow presenting a vision of hope. In the end though, it was the musicians who stole the show, speaking their universal language that can unite the myriad of cultures that exist on our planet today.If you feel that you are an intelligent person who loves soulful music…look no further. One world, one love. Lets wake up and make this world a better place for our children to live, dance and play in.”
EXACTLY.
The crowd
After the screening we bought the DVD, which includes a lengthier cut of the film, seven television episodes, twelve thematic-focused shows and a slideshow of stills laid overtop the amazing soundtrack.
This is an extremely important movie. You should watch it. You HAVE to watch it. And you have to make other people watch it. (Promise me you’ll watch it.) It gives you hope that everything will be alright, if momentum can be built and a general awakening occurs. You will fall in love with humanity, and hopefully fall out of being in love with yourself, shaking off the “What about me?” syndrome.
At the very worst, this is an outstanding travel film. If this doesn’t make you want to get out there and see the world, nothing will.
UPDATE (Oct 2009): In this article at Brave New Traveler, I interview Jamie Catto, one of the creators of What About Me? I also posted a behind-the-scenes look at the interview at my personal website.
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CONGRATULATIONS for you BLOG!!!!
Sounds fantastic! With a little searching, I think I found their website which has the video available online. http://www.whataboutme.tv/#videos