Fantasia Film Festival: LEMMY

I have been having a splendid time at the Fantasia Film Festival. At the moment I have seen 5 out of the 11 films we have bought tickets for (if we were rich, rich people we would go see more). I have never been to the festival until this year, I didn't realize what I was missing out on.

(Photography by April Anna Bremers)

We live two blocks from Concordia University, where the festival is being held. So far I have seen (and would recommend) "Raise the Castle", "Technotise: Edit & I", "Tears for Sale" (I plan to write a separate blog for this film over the next few days as I have time), "Lemmy", and today we just saw "Sell Out" (not my favourite but Ziggy giggled like a banshee as did most of the audience).

Last night at the end of watching "Lemmy" we were graced with the opportunity to listen and watch a live interview with one of the directors and producers, Wes Orshoski. I recorded this interview and have turned the footage into a video-journal for you to enjoy. However, since I didn't take as many photos as I normally would, I have very little imagery to use in the video. This would be due to the effects of my Hong-Kong trip; 300 photos edited out of 4000.

"Lemmy" is an awesome movie, even for people who do not like heavy metal, or even know who Moterhead is. This film is even better then watching a fictional movie, just as entertaining but it's very real and very candid.

(Photography & Photo Editing by April Anna Bremers)

I have an appreciation for heavy metal. My musical tastes have always been mixed. I will go from listening to traditional world musics, to classical to psychedelic trance, to heavy metal, then into good old fashioned rock and roll, all in the same sitting.

A very long time ago, I did go through a period where I was listening to alot more heavy metal then I presently do; but these days if I want something heavier such as what Moterhead creates, I usually will go for something like "Nightwish" (I prefer the period of their music before Tarja Turunen left, but they are still good) or old Tea Party, because there is a balance between the heavy & the gentle melodic, the light and the dark. But despite this, I have always had an appreciation and respect for Moterhead; but I never knew much about them, or more specifically, Lemmy.

Lemmy the person as well as "Lemmy" the film, is impressive in more ways then one. A very talented muscian & composer, he's very real as a person. He isn't projecting illlusions, he's comfortable with himself and definately dances to the beat of his own drum. I feel he embodies the inner strength to be himself without restriction. He strikes me as someone who is direct, honest and up front. He also exhibits alot of wisdom. One of the first things I really enjoyed about watching this movie is the way it has been put together. I had the feeling, as an audience member, that I was right there with the directors, experiencing it as it happened, even though I was not in fact there.

“Knowing others is intelligence;
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering yourself is true power.” 

One of the messages that really sticks out in my mind from this film is when Lemmy is talking about his lifestyle choice; specifically the amount of alcohol and drugs he has taken in his life. I recall him saying that he doesn't advocate this lifestyle because of how many friends it has killed, but he also doesn't regret it either. I can't say there are many people who would be as clear headed, articulate, intelligent and aware while being under the influence of so much alcohol (and sometimes drugs too), it's extremely impressive. I personally think it must be mind over matter.

I don't want to say too much about the film and ruin it for you,
really you just need to watch it for yourself.
At the end of the live interview with the director, Wes Orshoski,
the audience was invited to go down to the Irish Embassy for drinks.

(Copyright Mark Marek Photography©2007)

As I mentioned in my "Tangents" blog posting, when I had a chance to talk with Wes in person, (he bought my 3rd Guinness, which I relished), Wes turned out to be a super cool, chill and fun guy to hang out with. Wes is a talented journalist, photographer & film-maker. While I did get to pick his brain a bit, unfortunately, my memory is a bit of a blur for specifics right now. I hope you enjoy the video-journal, and be sure to check out the trailer for "Lemmy".

 NOTE:

I will have to post the video-journal in a few days since I have made a request for permission to use some photographs of Lemmy as well as the film poster in the video-journal to make it more visually interesting while listening to the interview. If I don't get permission to use Lemmy photos, then you will have to suffer through 5 minutes of looking at the theatre while listening to the interview. Also, please keep in mind that my video recording equipment is ghetto (actually it's the video option on my digital camera), but it still does the trick. The audio track isn't always clear, so you may need to turn your volume up on your computer speakers.