You've Got to Watch the Trailer for 'Morris: A Life With Bells On'
I can only pray this lives up to the trailer
Tomorrow I begin screening films that will be featured at the 2009 Seattle International Film Festival and the first day will include Sam Mendes' Away We Go, but more important is the film I will be watching immediately afterwards, Morris: A Life With Bells On.
Considering it is a film shot as a documentary focusing on Derecq Twist, the leader of Millsham Morris, one of the leading Morris teams in the country, it may not sound like much. However, when I tell you Morris dancing is in fact a rhythmic stepping and the execution of choreographed figures by a group of dancers using items such as sticks, swords, and most importantly, handkerchiefs, I hope you begin to take me a little more seriously. And then when I tell you Derecq Twist does not only participate in Morris dancing, but in fact practices Extreme Morris with the goal of pulling off the mystical and legendary Threeple Hammer Damson, I hope you have enough self control to manage your excitement.
At the press launch for SIFF they showed a trailer reel as they do every year, and the trailer featured below for Morris A Life With Bells On had the audience rolling.
The film is directed by debut helmer Lucy Akhurst and was written by Charles Thomas Oldham who also stars as the main character Derecq. I would cite the rest of the synopsis, but watching the trailer does more than I could ever do with words. However, you can get the synopsis right here as well as a look at 70 images from the film right here including a look at the poster, which I featured directly below the trailer.
Morris does not yet have a release date, but if it lives up to the trailer below I expect we will hear something really soon.
Get a look at the hi-res poster as well as 69 more images from the film right here.
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OK, Brad, you got me. This has got to be one of the most original, funniest mockumentaries ever. British humor, once again proving that it has the power to rise above all else. I too look forward to seeing this, but since I do not live in Seattle nor anywhere near it, I guess I'll just have to wait.
Looks very interesting! Living in Charlotte, this may have a chance of playing close enough that I can get to it.
I saw this months ago and watched it over and over again laughing my head off. I sent the link to local Morris dancers in West Virginia. I am listening to Radio Shropshire's May 10th folk song and it was mentioned. I went to the website and signed the petition. You don't have to have John Kirkpatrick CD's lying about to appreciate the story. If you do it will be all the better or so I have heard from those who have seen it.
Come to the North American premiere in Seattle at McCaw Hall on Saturday, May 23rd. Over 100 Morris dancers in traditional costumes will celebrate the release with capers and jigs. Should be quite a spectacle.
Chaz Oldham will be there as well.
Morris: A Life With Bells On (Twist Films)
This is a warm film in that oh so British way and if it were available on general release would I’m sure prove every bit as popular as any Ealing movie! I first came across the trailer for it via the SEFAN website (for which, much thanks) and thought it looked highly amusing. I suppose at first glance it will be seen as a Morris Mens doffing of the cap to the World’s greatest mocumentry “Spinal Tap” but that would be to under value the time and effort spent nurturing this little gem. Characters such as a very Henry Kipper-ish Aloysius “Pauncefoot” Stavely, Squire of Rimpton Morris 1959-1975 and the wonderfully observed Professor Compton Chamberlayne are textbook creations only topped by the presence of Charles Thomas Oldham as Derecq Twist the central character and Aidan McArdle as the ‘Producer’. The offices of the Morris Circle and its head Derek Jacobi (yes, I did say Derek Jacobi who hams it up with a more than accurate portrayal of the general public’s view of a stiff-upper lipped Morris dancer) are a far cry from the hallowed halls of Cecil Sharp House and look totally out of place from the traditional setting of the piece – nice touch! All of the actors have to be applauded for their performances throughout that are faultless and (dare one say it) near the Morris knuckle. By the way, the young lady playing the part of the Men’s nutrition/medical officer Skye Le Cornu (Lucy Akhurst) would be enough on her own to make any red-blooded male want to sign up to Morris dancing. Both the real producers (Akhurst & Thomas Oldham) should be well chuffed with what is one of the finest comedies I have seen in a long while. Now, I hate to think how much it cost them to put the whole show on the road but I hope they make it available for general release on DVD and that every Morris side in the country obtains a copy. If, by gently poking fun at a great institution some should see this film as slanderous to the dancers efforts then I can honestly say “…get a life!”
PETE FYFE