Strange Parallel

Oct 15, 1998

0h 30m

★ 5.9

Overview

Strange Parallel is a documentary/short film revolving around the American singer/songwriter Elliott Smith. The film features interviews with Elliott himself as well as fans, friends and other acquaintances of his (including Gus Van Sant, Larry Crane, and the members of Quasi). The film also includes snippets of Elliott Smith performing as well as footage of him recording an unreleased song, "Brand New Game". The film sometimes moves out of reality, with acted-out, metaphorical sequences that involve Elliott considering purchasing a mechanical hand (a "robot hand" ) to improve his music.

Genres

Documentary

Music

Fantasy

Production Companies

DreamWorks Records

Strange Parallel Trailers

No Trailers found.

Cast

Self

Elliott Smith

Self

Gus Van Sant

Self

Sam Coomes

Self

Janet Weiss

Drill Sergeant

Sean Croghan

Self

Larry Crane

Self

Joanna Bolme

Self

Amber Strom

Devil

Dave England

Robot Hand Salesman

Rossie Harris

Robot Hand Salesman

Sasha Fuentes

Self

Marne Lucas

“This film is part of a series of films on gay men who survived the Nazi era. I met Walter Schwarze when he was already in his eighties. My camera recorded his first public account of his five-year incarceration as a homosexual at Sachsenhausen concentration camp. He was in his fifties when he met Ali in his hometown of Leipzig; the two men became partners and remained close until his demise. And yet, Walter told me, he felt he had lived in vain because he had not had the good fortune of today's gays, who are able to grow up in freedom. Walter Schwarze died of cancer on May 10, 1998.” Rosa von Praunheim

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