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SFFILM Festival

Contemporary Color

Directed by Bill Ross IV, Turner Ross

29 Apr
Fri, Apr 29, 2016 at 8:00 pm PT
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Description

When David Byrne—best known for his decades with pioneering New Wave band Talking Heads—was approached by a color guard team to use his music in one of their routines, he didn’t just give consent. He took a deep interest in what’s called “the sport of the arts,” and decided to make it his next passion project. Part concert film, part backstage musical, Contemporary Color documents the epic collaborations that Byrne organized, pairing 10 cutting-edge performers (including St. Vincent, tUnE-yArDs, Zola Jesus, This American Life host Ira Glass and Byrne himself) with 10 color guard troupes. The latter aspect may surprise you, much as it did Byrne, at first. Since the teams represent a subset of the sport known as “winter guard,” you’ll find no rigid drill team movements here; the routines still include props like rifles and flags, but the choreography and costuming far more resembles modern dance. The end result is like a really artistic halftime show, with Byrne running around behind the scenes like a proud coach overseeing the proceedings. Adding to the festive atmosphere of the film, Contemporary Color will be shown for free on the outdoor screen at the Proxy, located next to Patricia’s Green in Hayes Valley. —Cheryl Eddy

Director Bill Ross IV, Turner Ross

Bill and Turner Ross—credited together as the Ross Bros.—are known for their immersive, cinema verite-style documentaries. Their debut, a lyrical look at their Ohio hometown entitled 45365, won the Independent Spirit Truer Than Fiction Award in 2010. Other works include Tchoupitoulas and Western, a 2015 Golden Gate Award winner at SFIFF.

Film Details

Year 2016

Country USA

Director Bill Ross IV, Turner Ross

Cinematographer Jarred Alterman, Bill Ross IV, Turner Ross