worth the two year wait
The film opens in media res with Jonsí and co. doing a live interview for NPR. The interviewer asks: "Did you always make this experimental music? Or did you start off by making sort of normal music?" Questionable looks and laughter exchanged, the film launches into a stunning rendition of Ný batterí. The set list of the film might disappoint some (no Glósóli for example), but the songs they have included gel with incredible power to set the haunting, sombre and emotionally draining tone of the film. The bassist, in a short cut scene, is asked about how he would define the band. To which he replies "We write heavy metal. We worship the devil and then we make music for him". That's hard to argue against after watching Inni.
The most impressive part of Inni is how much of a film it actually is. By that I mean that most band released projects are documentary based, with spots of old footage and interviews interspersed with a few live recordings. Inni, however, is nothing like this. There's a couple of quick quips, and nothing more. The impetus of the film is the intensely personal and engulfing live experience that Sigur Rós offers their fans. Inni makes you completely forget your surroundings, almost entirely removing the audience, and any sense of place.
yep, still personal.
The aesthetics of the film really drive this home. Vincent Morisset, the director of the film (who has worked on projects with Arcade Fire before), gives the viewer an amazing visual experience through his unique shooting technique. Originally shot on HD Digital, he then transfered it to 16mm film and afterwards projected this print and re-filmed. Whilst re-filming, he passed various objects in front of the projector - pieces of glass, etc. - to give the film a stunning impressionist look. How he got the idea I don't have a clue, whether divine intervention or a drunken bet, i'm fucking glad he did it. Inni's visuals easily match, if not surpass, the soundtrack of the film; the two in tandem work, literally, like a dream.
dude..
Obviously the lack of narrative shortens its talkability, however hopefully I've implanted the seed of going. I urge each and every one of you to go see this film, I think there's one more showing in London on the 20th of this month for y'all home bros. If you don't like Sigur Rós then you'll fall for the visuals. If you don't like the visuals then you'll love the music. If you don't enjoy either then you're not my friend.
if this doesn't tempt you, nothing will.
