![]() ![]() This segment gives the audience a glimpse into the strange and star-studded 60’s art world that the band inhabited. This is where the film is at its best - it uses recovered footage from the Factory - Warhol’s studio - and photos from the Exploding Plastic Inevitable - the Warhol multimedia performance featuring The Velvet Underground. The emphasis on the uniqueness of the band is most apparent in the segment that covers the band’s time as Warhol “superstars,” the artist’s name for his subjects and collaborators. Haynes chose to highlight some of the darkest and most shocking lyrics by singer and guitarist Lou Reed, from songs like “Heroin” and “Venus in Furs.” The film makes it clear that The Velvet Underground was like nothing else. ![]() ![]() The hosts found this piece of experimental music strange and laughable - a sentiment that would be oft-repeated in the film. The film opens with a clip from a 1960s talk show discussing avant-garde composer and future band member John Cale’s 18-hour piano performance in which he played the same piece over and over again. With these things on my mind, I went to see the film and was blown away by Haynes’ love letter to the avant-garde, New York City, Andy Warhol and the Velvet Underground. I was worried that the film would descend into pretentious analysis that often dominates the conversation about the group. However, as a longtime Velvet Underground fan, I felt that the history and music of the band has been overly valorized in mainstream media. Haynes has made a name for himself with unique films like “ Carol ” and “ Poison ,” so I had high hopes for this documentary. I was blown away by Haynes’ love letter to the avant-garde, New York City, Andy Warhol and the Velvet Underground. This touching ode to the groundbreaking album was enough to get many, including myself, excited for Haynes’ documentary. Titled “ I’ll Be Your Mirror ” after the haunting love song performed on the original album by Nico, the cover album featured many artists who are legends in their own right, such as Iggy Pop, as well as current big-name alternative musicians including St. To promote the film, a compilation of covers of The Velvet Underground’s self-titled debut album was released in late September. Todd Haynes’ October 2021 documentary about the band, simply titled “The Velvet Underground,” received an unusual amount of preemptive hype for a documentary. Right now, they boast dedicated fans, young and old, and are a symbol for art and the avant-garde. Though it’s been over 50 years since their debut album, the New York City art rock band remains one of the most popular and influential alternative music groups. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor.The Velvet Underground has a legacy like few other bands. Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. The same can be said about the band, who carved out their own unique path while speaking their minds (they don’t exactly have nice words regarding the hippie movement) and pushing one another towards abstract sonic excellence with dark and relatable lyrics. Early on, Lou mentions he enjoyed playing in gay spaces simply because he thought they were awesome people to be around. The Velvet Underground also proves to be a fitting project for Todd Haynes ( Carol), observing Lou Reed’s fascination with homosexuality which splinters off into other interests such as degradation. As Lou Reed and John Cale found themselves involved with Andy Warhol’s art collective, The Factory, such a dynamic led to record deals and experimental filmmaking while adding and removing band members. However, it is refreshing to watch a documentary that, while naturally focused on the rise to fame, doesn’t so much has a disastrous fall arc but rather the occasional visionary difference that leads to parting ways. Granted, while there is a never-ending artsy touch to the proceedings (split-screen presentation showing photographs and archival footage set to audio narration, and a general look at the band’s intersection with film and art that play out in provocative videos), it still amounts to your standard talking-heads execution. The Velvet Underground explores the multiple threads that converged to bring together one of the most influential bands in rock and roll.Ĭelebrated director Todd Haynes’ looks at the avant-garde New York-based 1960s rock band The Velvet Underground is every bit an experimental documentary as they were a group. Featuring Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, Maureen Tucker, Nico, Andy Warhol, John Waters, Mary Woronov, Amy Taubin, Merrill Reed Weiner, and Doug Yule. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |