A marvelous independent documentary film edited here in Berlin on FCP pro.
The film documents the unlikely rise and fall of a little know band called the monks. The Monks we´re formed by 5 American GI’s in cold war Germany who billed themselves as the anti-Beatles. They were heavy on feedback, nihilism and electrical banjo. They had strange haircuts, dressed in black, mocked the military and rocked harder than any of their mid-sixties counterparts while managing to basically invent industrial, punk and techno music.Through several twists of fate ended up being managed by two avant guard add men of the period, Karl H. Remy and Walter Niemann.
A brief period of intense experimentation followed, with much creative imput from their new managers! In 1965 their music was revolutionary. 40 years later it is still revolutionary!!! Particularly funny is the comparison of the monks with several of there contemporaries. However words like comparison are irrelevant because the monks we´re and still are, simply out there. In a word, ENERGY.
This documentary film took 10 years to make and is a worthy tribute to the monks. A labor of love. The Monks are portrayed with great sensitivity and above all their fascinating music is given a free hand to drive the film. At the premiere most of the audience seemed to know the music of the monks and the cinema vibrated to the sound of monk music and stomping monk fans alike. There is a wonderful moment when they play a reunion concert. All considerably older but that same crazy energy is there driving the show.
A fascinating insight into unsung heroes of 20th century music.
Watch, listen, enjoy and stomp!
http://www.playloud.org/monkstheatricalrelease.html
p.s. the film won the prize for best editing at the Milan documentary film festival a month ago.
