Taanila Mika: The Dawn of DIMI. -DVD
This is great piece of Finnish electronic music history. It's document about Erkki Kurenniemi, the guy who build these 60's Dimi instruments. At first in university's early 60's electronic studio and then with his own company. Occasionally it is nearly pure noise but most of all just strange colorful electronic sounds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj2733mvbowI don't think best works to be heard in youtube, but some example, and extras of the dvd.
The more interesting than the electronic gadgets and self build "computer" instruments, is the character himself. He is obsessed by human transformation from flesh & bone into artificial intelligence. For decades he has collected his own memories. Obsessively photographing minimum of 100 recollections a day, doing sound recordings of his own thoughts and collecting everything, from shop receipts etc. So eventually in future, these memories can be uploaded in virtual intelligence, where he can have sort of rebirth.
DVD is available with english subtitles. This was directed(=made) by the guy who did Musiikkivyöry project back in early 80's, who later became very productive film maker. Due being sponsored and co-released under wings of Kiasma museum etc, it's easy to get over here. Kurenniemi collection CD is released by Johanna. I think last year that company was sold to Universal? So under wings of multinational corporation, CD may be easy to get, or buried and forgotten...
There was that topic of scientific noise on other side of board. From the dvd extras, you can check out his theoretical sound writings. It's like reading physics books. And since the guy is scientist, it is.. Diagrams, formulas, writings,... harsh stuff.
MASSNAHMEN GEGEN FANATIKER (Precautions Against Fanatics) 1969 12min
This is some of the weirdest stuff! Face documentary made at the horse track. There are guys protecting horses from the fanatics. They repeat the same lines of dialogue for minutes and do utmost surreal things. Recommended!
DIE BEISPIELLOSE VERTEIDIGUNG DER FESTUNG DEUTSCHKREUTZ
(The Unprecedented Defence of the Fortress Deutschkreuz) 1966 15min
4 guys in fortress, finding guns and uniforms. There is nothing there. No enemy, no war. Just 4 guys running around playing war in abandoned building. Weird stuff.
ECHOS AUS EINEM DÜSTEREN REICH (Echoes From a Somber Empire) 1990 87min
Central Africa at 70's. Very nice documentary following the smell of french army negro returning to his homeland, taking over the country, declaring himself as emperor, abusing the people. Rape, cannibalism, utmost corruption and absolute power of one man making decision. Journalist who was captured and tortured and held in prison, returns years later when the old emperor has been already sentenced to death - twice. It's very nice documentary how it was possible to really live like a savage king still during 80's. Eating people, walking around with golden diamond decorated crown. The last piece of the old decayed zoo of emperor, with few somber wild animals in mini-sized cages. When "gorilla", which is in fact chimpanzee(?) starts to smoke tobocca, the main man of document just says this is too much. This is the end scene, no more this shit. Most definitely recommended document!
