The Perfect Storm/An Evening of Light and Dark offers a collection of short films made by Seattle filmmaker Karl Krogstad (who, on the evidence offered here, must be quite the character), arranged into two compilations. The individual films tackle various “subjects”—one, for example, is a mockumentary on a supposed cult of “circusanity” that operates largely on substantial doses of vodka, another is a scene that Krogstad claims was the last thing Fellini ever wrote (and so is advertised as a “Krogstad-Fellini” film), and a third presents a noir-ish tale of doomed romance—but many share common features. One is the use, or overuse, of footage extracted from old movies, trailers, and television shows (many scenes feature the time code counters of the copied videotape). Another is a similarly copyright-questionable use of recorded songs (regardless of the fact that the well-known performers are included in the credits). And a third is abundant narration by Krogstad that makes the films seem like illustrated lectures that are either pretentious or—one hopes—elaborate parodies of pretension. Krogstad himself comes across as an enthusiastic and energetic raconteur, but while his films display occasional flashes of wit, too much of this seems self-indulgent and amateur. Not a necessary purchase. Aud: P. (F. Swietek)
The Perfect Show/An Evening of Light and Dark
(2007) 132 min. DVD: $24.95. Karl Krogstad Studios. PPR. Volume 23, Issue 3
The Perfect Show/An Evening of Light and Dark
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