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3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 For Frith Fans -- Or NotDec 12, 2003
By Robert Carlberg
Frith has always been such a musical chameleon -- fitting into such diverse groups as Henry Cow, Skeleton Crew, Massacre, Looping Home Orchestra and his own Guitar Quartet, to name just a few -- that it's been hard to get a bead on exactly who he is. This film goes a long way toward introducing him to his fans.It's also likely to make him many new fans, as his quiet genius is evident. Humbert & Penzel's camera work tends to improvise and experiment almost as much as Frith's guitar & violin, with unattached scenes, odd transitions, rough edits and of course the gorgeous, very noir black & white. It's arty without becoming too pretentious, and has some really lovely moments when Fred's onscreen. I just wish it was in stereo, and about twice as long. You'll want to play the SATB CD right afterwards.
2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 small worldJun 17, 2005
By R. Dunlap
"dadala"
where are the Frith fans? well, here's one!
A new online acquaintance in Japan just posted a link to a Japanese site for Japanese experimental/improvisational artists. He specifically suggested we check out Haco. I really enjoyed what I found, and replied to inquire if my firend had ever heard Fred Frith. Then I went back to Haco's site and discovered she had played piano in this film and was on the soundtrack CD!
Ha!
I hadn't listened for a long time. Saw the film years ago, it was wonderful. Also found out from Haco's page that the film was on DVD.
And here I am, ordering it and suggesting you do the same if you have any idea of who Fred Frith is and like him.
One of the greatest films about music ever madeJun 24, 2009
By K. Margolis
I first saw this film in 1995 in a squat in Berlin. My friend and I went back and watched it again the next night. Simply put, this is a beautiful movie about art. More specifically, it is a glowing example of what avant-garde improv music is and can be, and what community based around art and performance can become. Gorgeously filmed. Just stunning and recommended for anyone at all who is interested in art and the world, even if you have never even heard of Fred Frith.
music without borders, political or otherwise...Jul 07, 2008
By Larry L. Looney
Possibly as a result of working with Fred Frith on the 1985 film Wolfsgrub: Portrait of My Mother, Nicholas Humbert and co-director Werner Penzel turned their lens on the renowned avant-garde / improvisational musician as the subject of STEP ACROSS THE BORDER, described as `a ninety minute celluloid improvisation'. As in that earlier film, there is no real `narration' - Frith is shown in multiple settings relaxing, rehearsing, performing before rapt audiences, and in conversation (mostly one-way) with the camera crew. Shot over the course of four years (1987-90) in several countries (Japan, Germany, France, Italy, England, the US and Switzerland), it's an extremely interesting, informative and involving portrait of the musician / composer, his fans and cohorts, and the music itself. Far from being a stuffy intellectual type (although his intelligence cannot be disputed by any means), Fred is shown to be outgoing and engaging, open-minded, with a free spirit - and certainly not reticent when it comes to sharing a laugh with others. One of the brightest moments of the film - at least to me - was the scene, perhaps shot in Fred's home or that of a friend, where he reproduces the themes from several of his many musical compositions using only his mouth and a bit of `body percussion'. It shows that while he's aware of his own talents and creativity, he doesn't take himself so seriously as to be egotistical and unnecessarily elevated.
Several sequences in the film depict motion and travel - Fred tours quite a bit, playing to appreciative audiences all over the world, so this is an understandable and integral part of the picture the filmmakers paint. This is not to say that the subjects - Fred and the music - are shown as being isolated from the world in which they, and we, exist. All of the locales are fully-formed, visually, with the environment (both good and bad) clearly shown. Performing and composing in diverse areas of music, from tightly composed (including some with a string quartet) to totally improvised, he's shown rehearsing with a group performing a tune from his days with Massacre; with the late Tom Cora, preparing for a gig at The Kitchen in New York City; playing casually outdoors with Iva Bittová and others; and in various concert settings including appearing solo in Osaka. Other well-known musicians - Arto Lindsay, Charles Hayward, John Zorn, Tim Hodgkinson and others appear in various sequences, both in the film and in the extra material included on the DVD.
Both the video and sound quality are excellent - combined with the sensitive choice of material, method and editing of the filmmakers, the viewer will no doubt come away from STEP ACROSS THE BORDER with a greater understanding of not only the music of Fred Frith, but his character, temperament and philosophy...and of the experimental / improvisational music scene as well. This is a great opportunity for fans of Fred's music to experience him creating and performing it - and an opportunity for those who have never dipped into this rich well to savor something completely different from the fare shoveled out by commercial radio and other outlets.
STEP ACROSS THE BORDER was awarded the Golden Gate Award, the European Film Award, and the Grand Prix International. Both Wolfsgrub: Portrait of My Mother (mentioned above) and Humbert & Penzel's Middle of the Moment are definitely worth checking out. Both feature music by Fred Frith. I've only seen these three of their works - I've been greatly impressed by all of them.
I can't believe this is finaly on DVD!Sep 23, 2006
By Nigel Hall
"Nigel"
I've been looking for this on DVD, and before that on VHS, since I first saw the movie. And I can't believe it's on Amazon and I missed it before now.
This is a superb look into the life of Fred Frith as he travels around playing music with a bunch of other interesting people. Fantastic soundtrack. If you like quirky documentaries you will love this film.
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