FLUXLIST: "The Stairway at St. Paul's"

[allen bukoff]

Okay, this isn't exactly traditional Fluxus, BUT...I saw a really cool film 
at the Ann Arbor Film Festival winners review last night ("The Stairway at 
St. Paul's"). It was one of those brilliant ideas that is extra brilliant 
because it is a simple idea (like some of my favorite Fluxus objects and 
works).

Some Dutch guy, Jeroen Offerman, filmed himself singing Stairway to Heaven 
in front of the public steps to a St. Paul's Cathedral (in the 
Netherlands?).  He does a really good and sincere job of singing the 
song.  Only he recorded himself singing it BACKWARDS (in time to the Led 
Zeplin accompanying track which is also being played backwards). Ok, so far 
so good.  Now follow this:  he plays his 8 minute movie backwards...meaning 
that in the movie the the guy sounds like he is singing the song forwards 
only everything else in the movie (mostly curious pedestrians walking 
behind him on the sidewalk) are all moving backwards.  It produces a really 
captivating effect.  Most people seemed to find it humorous and film did 
get one of the festival awards for Funniest Film, but I found it much more 
interesting than that.  I watched it intently for it's entire 8 
minutes.  Seeing someone moving and talking backwards is an amusing effect 
we have all seen before.  But this guy manages to be in sync with a rhythm 
and sound track that is flowing perfectly forward...yet there are plenty of 
subtly odd movements and clipped words and expressions (and a backward 
Dutch accent!) that kept my attention quite riveted.  AND OF COURSE IT IS A 
WONDERFUL PLAY ON THE OLD BACKWARDS MESSAGES SUBLIMINAL SATANIC ROCK idea 
(e.g., http://www2.memlane.com/jmilner/stairwaybackwards.htm ) ...only he 
manges to turn it all perfectly on its head.

Okay, I just googled this film and it appears, as usual, I am late to the 
party.  This film has already gotten some coverage in the Village Voice and 
elsewhere.  Nevermind.  But do see it when you get a chance.

Historical note:  I believe Maciunas sent some of the earliest Fluxus films 
in to the Ann Arbor Film Festival ... so there is this thin connection here.

Allen