Better Than: Paying $50 for popcorn and milk duds only to sit through an hour and 45 minutes of Lindsay Lohan’s greatest adventures.
The Review:
Electroma, the new film written by the Daft Punk wonder couple, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel De Homem-Christo, was first seen by the eyes of a tightly packed Studio A on Friday July 27, thanks to Sweat Records, Vice Records and of course, the New Times. The ever so convenient Miami rain delayed the showing of the 9pm movie by almost an hour but no one seemed to mind as the screen displayed clips of various Daft Punk videos, while two Deuce Crew members spun vibrant electro tracks, including tracks by the featured artists of the night. The footage and the music, actually exemplified the mood that the movie ultimately set by preparing the audience for Daft Punks visual artistry. For example, the creepy animatronic figure in “Technologic” and the skin pealing girl in “Prime Time of Your Life,” showed the fantastical relationship between human and machine and the want to be something deeper, which in turn became the plot for Electroma.
A ride in the country side of a robot inhabited world begins the journey for the members of Daft Punk, who are also robots and are on their way to try and become human. At first, the movie comes across as one of those you-have-to-be-stoned-to-get-it type films, and although it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get stoned, the film's bizarre and creative nature is enough to entertain any mind state. Actually, the first few minutes produced a few whispers of “I don’t get it,” but as the movie progressed the intention of the film became apparent. The music in the movie included songs by Curtis Mayfield, Tod Rundgren, Linda Perhacs, Jackson Carey Frank and a few others.
In the back of the room, the lovely Lolo, one of the girls in charge of the event, was giving away free popcorn. Having been involved with similar events in the past, Lolo said she was surprised that the usually loud and talkative Miami audience was so quiet and attentive during the showing of the film. Obviously, Miami’s support for Daft Punk’s creativity continues to grow after more than a decade. -- Lucy Orozco
Critics Notebook
Personal Bias: It’s refreshing when I see that Miami’s music scene goes beyond that of trendy house music, mainstream hip-hop and reggaeton, which popular clubs are so used to playing. These types of events conversely portray Miami as a well rounded metropolis instead of a popularity contest of somewhat mindless musical talent.
Random Detail: If you were at the premiere you probably got a chance to pick up the Vice Records, Scion CD sampler version 17 mixed by Flosstradamus. However, if you didn’t get a chance to grab one, you can log on to http://elemental.imeem.com/playlist/7cW-90HU/, create a profile and listen to the playlist.
By the way: The DVD is set to come out in September of 2007 and will be screened throughout the UK and Ireland, if you want a chance to win tickets, go to www.electroma.com. As for our local artists, Deuce Crew’s music can be heard on www.myspace.com/deucecrew305.
