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Show TkjwdAy, CRONidt 28, 1988 ApRil Paqe Nine Scott Rivers Scorpio Rising:' a film before its time 0i Of all the films screened during Kevin Hanson's by comparison with other myths: the dead movie star, class Film last it was fall, (James) Dean; the live one, (Marlon) Brando; Christ, Experimental Survey Kenneth the savior of men; Hitler, the villain of men. Each of undoubtedly Anger's Scorpio Rising (1963) that had the most impact upon me. It was everything these myths is evoked in ambiguity." movies promise to be, but rarely are: original, imaginaI'll go a bit further and sa' that Scorpio Rising tive, disturbing, controversial, ingenious, daring and destroys some of the myths that it compares in terms brilliant. "of ironic parody. The image of the homoerotic, beefaltogether best cake bikers is a complete antithesis of the motorcycle Perhaps the way of explaining my initial reaction to Scorpio Rising is through writer Gregory gangs we've come to know and immortalize throughit is Hell's Angels or Hollywood out the Markopoulos' discussion in Film Comment (Winter, Wild The One or Easy Rider. For the as films such 196364): "From the moment that Kenneth Anger's arachnid who uninitiated grew up worshiping or admiring these talents flashed on the silver screen, everyone knew, motorcycle "heroes," the scenes in Scorpio Rising indeed felt, that an extraordinary motion picture was to would come across as a definite shock-thouunfurled. tame has standards. the been made it in some, might appear by today's being Scorpio Rising Needless to say, I was fascinated and amused by image of contemporary America." Without a doubt, Scorpio Rising was a film startling-l- y look at these rebels in Anger's ahead of its time. It's easy to see why Anger's movie black leather. caused such an instant sensation when first released The scenes that stand out the most in my mind are and why it remains, in the words of authors J. Hoberman and Jonathan Rosenbaum in their 1983 book Midnight Movies, "the most widely seen of all underground movies." When viewed today, it perhaps resembles a "mainstream underground movie," though the intercut parallels between coked-u- p Scorpio (not I realize the phrase is a contradiction in terms. Once the title credits appeared on the screen (courtesy to mention the other bikers) and excerpts from a set to The movie on Jesus of a biker's studded-leathe- r jacket), I knew this was Rebel." What's "He's a so Crystals' amusing about this going to be more than just your average biker film-we-'re is vision of audacious unusual comparison Anger's talking Sleazy Riders. By blowing of Anger's love-hat- e Christ, courtesy of Family Films' The Road to relationship with Hollywood, I noticed from the very -- a cheesy movie I had the opportunity of Jerusalem beginning that Scorpio Rising was, among many things, times while attending Sunday school few a seeing a parody and an attack on Hollywood filmmaking. The color cinematography, for example, has a bright, many years ago. Viewing the footage again in Anger's context, it realglossy look, which reminded me of those Technicolor 1950s flicks on alienated youth, such as Rebel ly made me laugh and brought back a flood of memories about those dreary Family Films religious epics Without a Cause. Scorpio Rising resembles that same Brothers we were always forced to sit through; I'm glad The Warner veneer. Perhaps professionally stylish film has Road to Jerusalem was finally put to good use. Yet, I visual the this is unintentional, yet Anger's movie-though what never found the "He's a Rebel" segment blasphemous "appearance" of a Hollywood occurs is something entirely different. or offensive because, when you think about it, Christ P. Adams notes as in was Scorpio Rising, Sitney quite a "rebel" in his day-- as Anger cunningly realits creates own myth ized when utilizing the Family Films segments; Holy Visionary Film, Rider is definitely what he had in mind. However, the parallels between Scorpio and Hitler (and Nazism in general) are more obvious and far less amusing. One thing is certain: Scorpio does not represent "the biker as a Christ figure." Instead, this guy is a mean and nasty creep who proudly wraps himself in a Nazi flag as though he were a great leader or, in this case, dictator. As Scorpio Rising develops, it becomes more fascinating and alternately more disturbing, since death will rear its ugly head eventually. The symbolism of death is prevalent throughout: the reappearing Grim Reaper, plaster scorpion, photos of Dean, Hitler and madness. When Christ, and Scorpio's cocaine-induce- d the unknown biker is killed in the climactic race, it comes as no surprise and all one can say is, "Well, that's show biz." Where Scorpio Rising derives most of its power, editspeed and excitement is from Anger's razor-shar- p and his The of rock music. use ing groundbreaking movie boasts one of the finest soundtracks in cinema history. Each song tells its own story and pushes the narrative forward in an ironic perspective, while complementing Anger's visual images with a demented fury. For example, Bobby Vinton's "Blue Velvet" is heard as a few bikers lovingly decorate themselves in leather and chains-t- he track sums up this sequence that The 13 beautifully. songs are so there is never a need for dialogue, especially "Devil in Disguise," "Heat Wave," "My Boyfriend's Back," "Torture," "Wipe Out" andthe piece de resistance -"He's a Rebel." It's difficult to describe the full impact of Scorpio Rising in just one viewing, since there are so many details and insights. It would appear difficult to write an entire chapter on Anger's achievement, although Sitney's Visionary Film makes a decent try. Simply I put, this unforgettable film blew me away-a- nd it. of enjoyed every minute Scorpio Rising's reputation as an underground masterpiece is well deserved and only improves with age. years-whet- her gh, "pseudo-documentar- y" low-budg- et Christ-hilariou- . "self-conscious- sly self-explanato- ry ly o o o o o -- o o o TO dKDOQi) Presented By the Film Front and ASUU 328-364- INTERNATIONAL WEEK 1988 6 for info April 28-M- ay 1 TONIGHT! 8 pm Kingsbury Hall Gala Opening FILM COMPETITION SCREENINGS 7:30 pm OSH Auditorium Fri. & Sat., April 29-3- 0 VIDEO COMPETITION SCREENINGS Fri. & Sat., April International Thursday - Todays menu : Teriyakl Chicken with Pineapple from Japan - : Dr. around the world and get a 2ndT-shiat old MTV spot - More videos from 7:30 pm Social Work Auditorium SEMINARS Fri., April 29:"FILMTHE0RY"(10am,)"ANTHR0P0L0GY AND FILM"(1pm) &"LIFE AFTER FILM Loeb. Dr. Kardwan and Moderator Dr. " Mayfield discusses My peace plan for the Middle East" Debate 29-3- 0 SCH00L"(3pm) Sat., Apr 30:"French Film and Culture in the 1930's(1pm),"Science Fiction Film: A Modern 1 rt 9-2- pm - Two Days to International Night - Bring your Friends It will be lots of Fun Displacement of Ultimate Concerns"(1 0:45am) "Ten Necessary Facts About Screenwriting"(9am) & "Film Producing"(2:45pm) ALL IN OSH 215 Sunday, May 1 7:30 pm OSH WPRA "Best of Fest" Screening Tickets available at Smith-Ti- x, Union Desk & Kingsbury Hall |
