SiC Fundraiser, Sunday 11 June
The more we work with our movie, Speaking in Code, the more we are finding a stigma about techno documentaries, or, at least, movie that document electronic music.
We’re having fundraiser this Sunday for the film, where people who pay $50 will get their name in the credits, have some drinks and food and hear some quality techno music. But more importantly, will get the chance to see what this movie is really all about.
SiC is not a film about why techno is so cool and contemporary. SiC is not a movie about superstar DJs, backstage access and partying. Most importantly, SiC is not a lesson in why techno and trance is so essential and life-givingly superb.
What Speaking in Code is about is people. Extraordinary people who make their way in the world independently. Or a network of producers, promoters and musicians who are quite human. Most people think techno documentary and they think hype, clubs and outrageous camera angles. Well, that’s not SiC. The film is wonderfully shot with a steady hand and the characters we have been following deserve the attention because they are steady and simple, not garish and silly.
What I mean to say is that Speaking in Code is unlike any movie that has ever been made before. No one has ever approached electronic producers and promoters as people. It’s always flash, VIP access and tilted club shots. If you come to the benefit or otherwise support the film, you’ll get an exclusive chance to see what we mean. And you’ll feel good about the film, you have my word.
Consider the Wighnomy Brothers. We can’t get enough of these guys because they are affable, ideological and live this kind of idyllic life in a secluded old East German mountain town. Their music, a combination of funky hip-hop and techno, is secondary to their attitude: one of common space, of hope, of trust, and… sausage.
Their clip (one of the six we’ll show Sunday) is one of my favorites. We are planning to go shoot more of their world and to follow them to some gigs in Amsterdam, as they become more popular and are challenged with the notion of success. In order to do this, we need your help. (I’m starting to feel like a telethon, but it’s true. We need tape stock, camera rentals, plane tickets for camera people, editing and logging, etc. We want to avoid corporate sponsorship if possible, also. I mean to make this film as wonderful as it can be — and, honestly, this could be an incredible, award-winning film — we are reaching out to our friends, acquaintances and whoever believes). We have 120 hours in the can, we need an essential 100 more.
Our first encounter with the music of the Wighnomy Brothers was Robag Whrume’s (aka Gabor Schablitzki) astonishing Wuzzelbud “KK” album. And now he’s become a character in the film. They are mainly influenced by hip-hop movies and techno. They live in Jena, Germany, have a child named Pele, drink quite a bit of vodka and make amazing music.
When we Googled the lyrics to the title song: Wuzzelbud KK, we were amazed to find excerpts from Shakespeare’s Hamlet — but we shouldn’t have been.
“Well, God ‘ild you! They say the owl was a baker’s daughter. Lord, we know what we are, but know not what we may be. God be at your table!”
June 6th, 2006 at 6:27 pm
“They live in Jena, Germany, have a child named Pele,” Two brothers have a child?
I am all for untraditional families but that seems like a genetic impossibility.
June 7th, 2006 at 12:34 pm
sorta/kinda. guess you’ll have to see the film and find out
June 8th, 2006 at 8:32 am
Believe me, I have been following the progress of this film since Sherburne first mentioned it on his blog. I am dying to see it. It might be a neat idea to set up a paypal account for donations and then canvas the appropriate blogs to set up a micropayment solution. “Press this buttom to donate what you can” I am not sure how much money it would raise but it would be a novel solution.