Bringing different angles to music at the 2016 New Orleans Film Festival

Radio and video stars are often pitted against one another, but the 2016 New Orleans Film Festival mends those combative ways by dedicating their screens to music videos and music documentaries. Now in its 27th year, the NOFF retains their foundational programming with features, shorts, experimental and animated films spread throughout the eight-day festival. The dates we want to talk about, though, are October 15, 17, and 19.

Those odd numbers in mid-October are when music will be hitting the screen  in all different ways. On October 17 (8:30pm) a blend of flags, dance, David Byrne, and local talent will be taking over the Entergy Giant Screen Theater (1 Canal Street) with the Ross Brother’s documentary Contemporary Color. Not only are there synchronized flags, rifles, and sabers (as if that’s not enough), but there are also performances by St. Vincent, Devonté Hynes, Zola Jesus, tUnE-yArDs, and Ira Glass, to name a few, in the documentary.

Contemporary Color (film by Bill and Turner Ross)

The film is by New Orleans based filmmakers and brothers Bill and Turner Ross. They are often known for their immersive style in their documentaries – such as 45365, Tchoupitoulas, and Western – and with Contemporary Color, that immersive style had to be present and consciously wrangled as well. Why? Because there’s music, and although their brilliant films may make you think they’re beyond human, they too like to move and sway when a beat takes over.

As Bill explains, “You have to be more mindful of the way you’re moving. It’s very easy to get caught in the beat and ruin your shot because you’re moving your camera frantically to faster music or bobbing your head to slower music. You want to feel the music and allow it to motivate your camera but not destroy the moment. Sometimes it’s a hard road to navigate.”

Navigate that road they did, and with it came moments and shots that encapsulate the complications and beauty that music, life, film, and performance can evoke. There is one shot, explains Bill, “it’s a close up of one of the color guarders during the Ira Glass piece.” The slow pace of the music and the slow zoom onto her as she has this moment creates a visual sound. “You wonder what she’s thinking. Is she overwhelmed by this huge stage she’s found herself on? Is she thinking about her father that just passed away? The camera move combined with the music allow us to reflect with her,” Bill says.

Still from “Frost” by Sven Helbig

In the modern world of Vimeo, YouTube, Bandcamp, etc. it is not often that musicians get to see themselves beyond the size of their computer screen. “It is a completely different experience seeing a film on the big screen versus releasing it via youtube. We hope it is gripping to the active audience that seeks out the Music Video block at NOFF. We are also excited to bring more visibility to our music, collaboration, and Worklight Pictures,” says Nick Hüster of Mighty Brother, whose video “Muscle to Bone” will be screening.