Archive of films Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell / Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell
USA
2008, 71 min
Section:
2008: A Musical Odyssey
Year: 2008
Arthur Russell, cellist, Buddhist and head of The Kitchen, a cultural centre in New York, died of AIDS in 1992. He left behind him a collection of gentle songs combining disco, his own fragile style and new wave. Today his work is finally finding a keen audience. Featuring Philip Glass and Allen Ginsberg, the film was premiered at the Berlinale in 2008.
Synopsis
Arthur Russell, cellist, Buddhist and head of The Kitchen, a cultural centre in New York, died of AIDS in 1992. He left behind him a collection of gentle songs combining disco, his own fragile style and new wave, but he was also influenced by club pop and avantgarde art. Yet it seemed that he was never to enjoy true success. Russell was a utopian who stifled himself with his own perfectionism. Today, sixteen years after his death, his work is finally finding a keen audience which perhaps only now understands the sense underlying his poetic sound. The film, which brings in Russell’s closest collaborators Philip Glass and Allen Ginsberg, explores the compelling cultural history of New York over the last few decades, the experience of being gay and confronting AIDS, and the cathartic process of creating art and pursuing popular success. The film also features members of the young generation of musicians (songwriter Jens Lekman) and music philosopher David Toop.
About the director
Matt Wolf is a New York filmmaker focusing on documentaries about contemporary art and culture. He creates feature-length films, documents for the Internet, promotional and educational videos, public commercials, complex podcasts and video programmes (e.g. for the New York-based Whitney Biennial art fest and the New York Times). The film profiling the late musician Arthur Russell is his debut on the international film distribution and festival scene. It was screened in its international premiere at the Berlin IFF in 2008.
Contacts
Forward Entertainment
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United States of America
Tel: +1 121 300 6677
Fax: +1 121 401 2499
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.forwardentertainment.us
About the film
Color, DIGIBETA
Section: | 2008: A Musical Odyssey |
---|---|
Director: | Matt Wolf |
Screenplay: | Matt Wolf |
Dir. of Photography: | Jody Lee Lipes |
Music: | Arthur Russell |
Editor: | Lance Edmands |
Producer: | Ben Howe, Kyle Martin, Matt Wolf |
Production: | Polari Pictures |
Cast: | Philip Glass, Allen Ginsberg |
Contact: | Forward Entertainment |
www: | www.arthurrussellmovie.com |