1 giant leap

desert island dvd
assuming the desert island i get marooned on has a dvd player and screen
but apart from that if i ever had to pick just 1 dvd to keep this is the one
released in 2002 and watched multiple times since then
usually as tonight as the result of a rave to an acquaintance
and the opportunity then to fire up the projector and get taken away again
always best viewed with total focus and volume at the upper levels
there's 11 short films that make up the full picture
but there's a lot in common with each story that leads to that cliched saying
about the sum being greater than the individual parts
music is what the film is built around
a great fusion of traditional instruments and musicians of the world
mixed in with electronica and dance beats that create a unique sound
there's the occasional gentle bamboo flute or solo voice or other acoustic sound
but inevitably the beat kicks in that builds and drives forward each segment
speaking from total inexperience but it strikes me any of the tunes
could be used at a dance/rave party where beat, noise, mix-up is essential
but back in the comfort of the home theatre environment
commentary is the major feature of the film
brian eno talks about the need to embrace future generations
anita roddick (rip) succinctly describes the success of the consumerism strategy
michael franti also bears down on the pay them and slay them mentality
dennis hopper very humbly muses on the miracle of life
kurt vonnegut (rip) describes his reliance on music as a saviour of life
tom robbins tells a brilliant story complete with puppetry about enlightenment
and many others add their thoughts, stories, anecdotes on their meaning of life
the visuals are stunning
it's not about the beauty of the planet upon which we live
but the diversity and commonality of the peoples that it supports
the musicians and singers are featured in each segment
before ineveitably giving way to a mighty collage of images appropriate to the theme
time, god, money, death, masks, are some of the titles and subjects of each segment
it is quite a dense visual production which means repeat viewing is mandatory
it would be impossible to take it all in with one viewing
which is probably why i keep going back to it repeatedly and keep seeing new things
it does have a great worldliness as it is devoid of nationalism and patriotism
though some separate words of wisdom from an aborigine and a maori
provide a local interest to an otherwise world-view feel
cleverly the producers have avoided politics and politicians
which also adds to the timelessness of the production
unity through diversity is the chosen catch-cry
the good news is that part 2 is currently in production
every home, school and desert island should have 1 giant leap
totally engaging