by Cookie N Screen
The power of the screen, both big and small, is a compelling one. Personally speaking, the batch of favourite movies I have are as soothing to me as a cup of tea and a blanket. In fact, every time I get down, stressed or sad, my brain automatically thinks, “Right, let’s put Filth on” which I’ve had to try and wean away from. Similarly, there are films that trigger memories cooing and caring, wrapping around my soul as I remember snuggling up with my father to watch Hook or danced with my Grandad to The Jungle Book. Films and television shows open a whole wave of poignancy. These emotions wave over you in silent ease.
So with all this in mind, it’s nice when performer Ross Sutherland explores memories, pain and the soothing element of art in his piece Stand by For Tape Back-Up.
The power of the screen, both big and small, is a compelling one. Personally speaking, the batch of favourite movies I have are as soothing to me as a cup of tea and a blanket. In fact, every time I get down, stressed or sad, my brain automatically thinks, “Right, let’s put Filth on” which I’ve had to try and wean away from. Similarly, there are films that trigger memories cooing and caring, wrapping around my soul as I remember snuggling up with my father to watch Hook or danced with my Grandad to The Jungle Book. Films and television shows open a whole wave of poignancy. These emotions wave over you in silent ease.
So with all this in mind, it’s nice when performer Ross Sutherland explores memories, pain and the soothing element of art in his piece Stand by For Tape Back-Up.
Starting as an Edinburgh Fringe show that was developed over three years, this cinematic exploration of Russ’s words set to clips from films and televisions. The clips may seem innocuous but the tape actually belongs to his granddad and has since helped him through depression, near-death experiences and a complete wipe of his digital life. Through this part beat poetry, part monologue, Sutherland extrapolates his inner voice and those haunting messages through the medium of the screen.
There is no doubt that the performance and the film would probably work better on the stage than on screen. Because without Sutherland himself guiding audience along, there seems to something missing to his journey through media and memories.
There is no doubt that the performance and the film would probably work better on the stage than on screen. Because without Sutherland himself guiding audience along, there seems to something missing to his journey through media and memories.
But that is a minor blip because as soon as you marry the exquisite narration with the visuals on screens. Sutherland is intellectually baring his soul for cinema goers through the exploration of everyday activities. We all watched The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, we all adored The Crystal Maze and Ghostbusters but it is here that Sutherland unearths a background of misery and joy that is encased in this snippets of media. Through his poetic talking and elements of self-discovery, Sutherland puts his darkest moments and sets them to clips without much meaning until he places it there. For many, it is a journey into escapism, showing how the shows or movies can take him back to relationships and cope with the worst moments of life, finding new connotations in them and ruminating on the loss of the life of a loved one and control of his emotions.
The profound experience like hallucinations into the soul of a man is a compelling experience, one that is relatable in this world of experience and human connection. The film is an incredible and powerful performance that is seated in the sublime narration of Sutherland both poignant, real and redolent. Whilst many would be regretting not catching the acclaimed stage show at Edinburgh Film Festival last year, this is a marvellous substitute that is immediately enthralling and will hit you in your soul. Stand by for Tape Back-Up is glorious and a must-see at the festival this year.
The profound experience like hallucinations into the soul of a man is a compelling experience, one that is relatable in this world of experience and human connection. The film is an incredible and powerful performance that is seated in the sublime narration of Sutherland both poignant, real and redolent. Whilst many would be regretting not catching the acclaimed stage show at Edinburgh Film Festival last year, this is a marvellous substitute that is immediately enthralling and will hit you in your soul. Stand by for Tape Back-Up is glorious and a must-see at the festival this year.
Stand Up For Tape Back-Up is showing at East End Film Festival on 4th July
You can buy tickets here!
You can buy tickets here!
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