Brand Upon The Brain! (2007)

Tokolosh · 06.07.2007, 04:14 AM

Brand Upon the Brain! (2007) is a silent film directed by Guy Maddin. Produced by The Film Company in Seattle, Brand Upon the Brain! premiered on September 8, 2006, at the Toronto International Film Festival with live accompaniment of the score by members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, several Foley artists, and a narrator. Shot on location in Seattle, this is Maddin's first film made outside of Canada.

Plot

Together with his teenaged sister and a horde of orphans, young Guy Maddin lazes away his under-stimulated youth on the mysterious island he will someday inherit. In the lighthouse orphanage in which they all live, their every move is watched over by their overbearing and tyrannical mother while their father, a scientist and inventor, works away secretively in the basement.
When new adoptive parents discover mysterious head wounds on their children, teen detectives Wendy and Chance Hale - brother and sister sleuths known as the "Lightbulb Kids" - visit the island to launch an investigation. Guy is weak-kneed as he falls for Wendy, while Sis is flushed with love for Chance, a love which must be kept from Mother at all costs. As the investigation progresses, the kids are led into the darkest regions of revelation and repression as the terrible secrets of Guy's family are revealed.

Exhibition notes

As a silent film, "Brand..." does not possess a pre-recorded musical or Foley soundtrack. Instead, it has been presented with live musical accompaniment and narration at the festivals where it has been shown. At its Toronto International Film Festival premiere in September 2006, the original score was performed by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra with narration by Louis Negin. At the New York Film Festival in October 2006, the film was narrated by actress Isabella Rossellini and accompanied by the Sospeso Collective. Rossellini also narrated at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2007, where the score was played by the Volkswagen Orchestra. All live orchestra performances were conducted by the score's composer, Jason Staczek.

The Live Show!

In addition to an 11-piece orchestra, three Foley Artists, and a Castrato, the live version of Brand upon the Brain includes an Interlocutor, or Narrator, who acts almost as another instrument in the sound mix. We have been very fortunate in finding sparkling, independent voices to fill this role.

Special guest narrators:

Tunde Adebimpe
Laurie Anderson
John Ashbery
Justin Bond
Crispin Glover
Edward Hibbert
Anne Jackson
Joie Lee
Lou Reed
Isabella Rossellini
Peter Scarlet
Eli Wallach

Preview of a Live show

Screening dates in the US only!
More cities will be added soon.

Trailer + Special excerpt

Official website L I N K

The film Company L I N K

Пятхъдесят Шест · 06.07.2007, 02:34 PM

I have not seen the film, but last year at the time of the Toronto Film Festival, Radio Canada International (Canada's outstanding shortwave station) had a series of interviews with the directors who participated, Guy Maddin was by far the most interesting. It was one of those things I wanted to remember to check out at some point, but forgot all about. Thanks for the refresher.

06.07.2007, 04:14 AM	#1
Tokolosh invito al cielo Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Plaza de Toros Posts: 6,731	Brand Upon the Brain! (2007) is a silent film directed by Guy Maddin. Produced by The Film Company in Seattle, Brand Upon the Brain! premiered on September 8, 2006, at the Toronto International Film Festival with live accompaniment of the score by members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, several Foley artists, and a narrator. Shot on location in Seattle, this is Maddin's first film made outside of Canada. Plot Together with his teenaged sister and a horde of orphans, young Guy Maddin lazes away his under-stimulated youth on the mysterious island he will someday inherit. In the lighthouse orphanage in which they all live, their every move is watched over by their overbearing and tyrannical mother while their father, a scientist and inventor, works away secretively in the basement. When new adoptive parents discover mysterious head wounds on their children, teen detectives Wendy and Chance Hale - brother and sister sleuths known as the "Lightbulb Kids" - visit the island to launch an investigation. Guy is weak-kneed as he falls for Wendy, while Sis is flushed with love for Chance, a love which must be kept from Mother at all costs. As the investigation progresses, the kids are led into the darkest regions of revelation and repression as the terrible secrets of Guy's family are revealed. Exhibition notes As a silent film, "Brand..." does not possess a pre-recorded musical or Foley soundtrack. Instead, it has been presented with live musical accompaniment and narration at the festivals where it has been shown. At its Toronto International Film Festival premiere in September 2006, the original score was performed by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra with narration by Louis Negin. At the New York Film Festival in October 2006, the film was narrated by actress Isabella Rossellini and accompanied by the Sospeso Collective. Rossellini also narrated at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2007, where the score was played by the Volkswagen Orchestra. All live orchestra performances were conducted by the score's composer, Jason Staczek. The Live Show! In addition to an 11-piece orchestra, three Foley Artists, and a Castrato, the live version of Brand upon the Brain includes an Interlocutor, or Narrator, who acts almost as another instrument in the sound mix. We have been very fortunate in finding sparkling, independent voices to fill this role. Special guest narrators: Tunde Adebimpe Laurie Anderson John Ashbery Justin Bond Crispin Glover Edward Hibbert Anne Jackson Joie Lee Lou Reed Isabella Rossellini Peter Scarlet Eli Wallach Preview of a Live show Screening dates in the US only! More cities will be added soon. Trailer + Special excerpt Official website L I N K The film Company L I N K
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06.07.2007, 02:34 PM	#2
Пятхъдесят Шест invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Omaha, Nebraska, USA Posts: 3,063	I have not seen the film, but last year at the time of the Toronto Film Festival, Radio Canada International (Canada's outstanding shortwave station) had a series of interviews with the directors who participated, Guy Maddin was by far the most interesting. It was one of those things I wanted to remember to check out at some point, but forgot all about. Thanks for the refresher.
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