I'm very proud to say that I've recently recorded new soundtracks for three short films by the pioneering gay filmmaker Peter de Rome. The occasion is the BFI release of two short film collections; the first, called "Encounters: Four groundbreaking classics of gay cinema", features Peter de Rome's short film "Encounter" (1971; 12mins) alongside three other shorts by different directors, one of which is Andy Milligan's "Vapors". In addition, I've recorded new musical accompaniments for another two of Peter's films; namely "The Fire Island Kids" (1970: 14mins), and "Brown Study" (1979: 9mins), which feature on a set entitled "The Erotic Films of Peter de Rome" - this collection comes with a new documentary about Peter and his work directed by Ethan Reid and produced by David McGillivray. Both collections are out on the 26 March.
See the entries at the BFI film store here:
http://filmstore.bfi.org.uk/
http://filmstore.bfi.org.uk/
Notes on the project:
I love 1970s porn and erotica. The texture of 8mm and 16mm film, the stylistic freedom, the bodies unspoiled by maniacal gym regimes, the sense of abandon in the days before everything changed. My favourite gay sex films from the seventies used quite unusual music too; it wasn’t all regulation disco (but hey, don’t knock the disco). I’ve heard some very strange juxtapositions from that era: I’ve seen gay porn loops where the music sounded like Klaus Schulze, Don Cherry, or even Can. It was the decade where ‘anything goes’, and that went for sex and the music. Peter De Rome’s short films have an intimacy and a gentle strangeness that’s utterly beguiling, and I hope I’ve found a way to mirror their dreamy moods on these recordings.
I was really excited to hear you were involved in this project Steve, I've always loved Each and Every Word Must Die from Death Bed...
ReplyDeleteThese new BFIs have intrigued me more than other title. I've been thinking about picking these up but the truth is I've been a little reluctant, as I'm not gay. Over at the Criterion forum, someone read my mind and asked the question if there was anything in these films for a straight guy (presumably like me, this person likes underground fringe Cinema like Pink Narcissus or Thundercrack!), and someone else advised that the Encounters disc might be worth picking up first, this being a good "stepping stone" to The Erotic Films of Peter de Rome. So, that's my plan...
Wow.. great news!.. Congratulations Steve!
ReplyDeleteHi Wes!
ReplyDeleteOut of the three films I worked on, the most 'avant-garde' is "Encounter" - so the Encounters disc is probably the best way to start, as you say. Plus. you get Andy Milligan on that one as well!
Your musical accompaniment to Peter's films caught the mood very well indeed. Congratulations, you did a great job Stephen.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ethan, glad you enjoyed them!
ReplyDeleteHave recently found this site and love it: it reminds me of my youth, much of which was spent in the Scala Cinema in Kings Cross, watching double or triple bill art/horror/queer/trash films. Will be checking back in.
ReplyDeleteWhen Peter de Rome took to the stage at the NFT after the 'Encounters' screening to a completely sold out showing, his first comment was how powerful the score was, to everybody's agreement. It was truly inspiring to witness a perfect marriage of sight and sound, seperated, as they are, by four decades. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ethan! Great to hear that it all went so well, and thanks for your kind words. I wish I'd been able to get there on the night but other commitments got in the way.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie! It sounds like we must have been on adjacent rows at the Scala may times - I was there so much in the late 1980s I might as well have brought a fold-up mattress and moved in! Happy days.
Ah, good times - three films for £3.50 if I remember rightly. I'm very interested in your film soundtracks - I listen to a lot of Coil while I'm writing (horror fiction), so I'm sure your more recent work will be just as inspiring.
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