Just over a week ago the short film/long form music video Be Still Life was posted on Vimeo. Featuring and inspired by the music of 400 Lonely Things, the film is from brothers Michael and Philip Harrell and it is about a boy who is given a broken television frame and using it he rediscovers and reconnects with the beauty of his life. It is a bittersweet and romantic journey for the protagonist who is seemingly as battered and useless as his unusual gift. Be Still Life is a simple story and concept, but its brilliant and striking framing device makes for a captivating and fascinating viewing experience.

Hope you enjoy!

Be Still Life Official Site
400 Lonely Things (Facebook)
400 Lonely Things (MySpace)

Tags: 400 Lonely Things, Be Still Life, broken television, framing device, Michael Harrell, music video, Philip Harrell, short film, Short Form, vimeo

That’s right, this week you get a double dose of podcasts from us here at Where the Long Tail Ends. James and I have been mentioning for sometime that we wanted to watch and review the 70’s throwback horror film The House of the Devil, but do to our busy schedules we never had the chance to get together. But finally, finally, we were able to get enough free time to sit down and have an in depth and spoiler filled discussion about this interesting film.

Also, big thanks to Craig Varian of 400 Lonely Things (whom I interviewed at this year’s Flyway Film Festival) who was nice enough to give me a copy of his latest album Tonight of the Living Dead, an album composed entirely from the soundtrack to the the landmark horror film Night of the Living Dead. And since The House of the Devil uses an interesting technique involving clips of Night of the Living Dead to help show the passage of time in the film, it seemed only fitting to use one of the songs from Tonight of the Living Dead to close out the show. I can’t speak highly enough about the album, so be sure to check out the 400 Lonely Things website and get yourself a copy of it for yourself.

400 Lonely Things (Website)
400 Lonely Things (MySpace)
Tonight of the Living Dead (Website)

As always, thanks for listening!

Opening Music – Face to Face by Daft Punk
Closing Music – The Music Box by 400 Lonely Things

 

 Spoiler Alert! - The House of the Devil [57:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Tags: 400 Lonely Things, Craig Varian, Daft Punk, film, Flyway Film Festival, Horror, horror film, James, Night of the Living Dead, podcast, podcasts, review, soundtrack, Spoiler Alert!, The House of the Devil, Tonight of the Living Dead, Where the Long Tail Ends

Some quick backstory before the interview, Craig and his recording partner Phil Harrell were roommates during the Flyway Film Festival with Film Junk’s Jay Cheel. We ended up having dinner together on Friday night before the screenings of the opening night films. So it should come as no surprise that the four of us spent the dinner talking about horror films. After that evening, I knew I wanted to get an interview with Craig so he could talk about his rather fascinating concept album Tonight of the Living Dead.

Using only a public domain copy of the film Night of the Living Dead that he downloaded from Archive.org he remixed the score of the film into a wholly new album. Then, he collaborated with Phil to do the same with the visuals of the film. What’s fascinating is that Craig and Phil did this entirely online. Even more amazing? That they had never met in person until they both attended the Flyway Film Festival.

Hope you enjoy both the music and the interview!

400 Lonely Things (Website)
400 Lonely Things (MySpace)
Tonight of the Living Dead (Website)

 

 Flyway Filmcast - Craig Verian (400 Lonely Things) [17:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: 400 Lonely Things, Andrew, Craig Varian, film festival, Film Junk, films, Flyway Film Festival, Horror, horror film, Interview, Jay Cheel, Night of the Living Dead, Phil Harrell, podcast, Row Three, screening, Tonight of the Living Dead