Am sure there will be many highlights at this year’s Nashville Film Festival, but for me the early standout is the World Premiere of ‘William Shatner’s Gonzo Ballet’.
Yes, that’s right, a ballet was produced, based upon 6 songs taken from Bill’s incomparable 2004 album with Ben Folds, ‘Has Been’; I was so taken with ‘Has Been’ that I bought more than a dozen copies in the US while here on a visit, to distribute to folks back in London – I became an evangelist for Shatner and Folds – pressing it on to unsuspecting friends with the whispered words:
“You must listen. Don’t talk to me again, until you do.”
I was slightly more dramatic back in those days. Anyhew, now comes the news that a documentary about this ‘Has Been’-based ballet, Margo Sappington’s, ‘Common People’, is in post and will premier at the Fest.
You know, this means something to me. I’m not a fan of Shatner for the usual pop-culture mocking/celebration reasons that follow him round the web. For me, William Shatner’s career, especially as typified in ‘Has Been’, holds the promise of redemption. Redemption and atonement. Redemption, atonement and promise.
Redemption from bad artistic choices. Shatner was not a bad actor. Ever see the first season of Star Trek? Brilliant. His acting, his action, was exactly what it should have been. Youth, vitality, cocky confidence and a real pulsing humanism.
Then the bad times.
Bad years, bad acting.
Not even able to spoof himself well. But with ‘Has Been’ there comes the idea of development – that one’s past actions don’t set the future in stone. The promise that one’s character is mutable, plastic. One could develop, become a better human being. One wouldn’t have to repeat the bad choices of the past, the bad work; stay a hack.
This speaks to me – I’ve done some good pieces – but they’ve been swamped, surrounded, by hack-work; I lost years here, a decade there, wandering in haze. Things are better now. There’s been changes.
In ‘Has Been’ Shatner’s trying. I’m trying too. Thanks for the inspiration Bill, it seems you’ve inspired others as well.
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(Update: Looks like the man himself will be visiting the Fest for the prem.)
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(Photo found on Big Screen Entertainment, credit to follow)
7 responses so far.
1 Nole // Feb 11, 2009 at 10:00 pm
For months after “Has Been” came out I went around literally forcing people to listen to it. I simply wouldn't take no for an answer. Glad to hear I wasn't alone!
Also, I saw Rollins' spoken word recently and he tells a hilarious story about doing that song with Bill.
2 K_Ann // Feb 12, 2009 at 9:59 am
Oh, I would love to see this – you lucky so-and-so
3 Phil // Feb 12, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I think Shatner is a GREAT actor.
In all honesty, as much as I like to drop “Burt Reynolds” into film conversations, I think both he and Shatner have parallel careers in some ways. I think Reynolds is also an excellent actor, who made some questionable career choices – and I am 100% serious about that, despite my love of Reynold's “box office” run of the late 70's early 80's.
Not trying to hijack this post, but my point simply is I agree with what you are saying, and by comparison what Shatner is to you, I think Reynolds is to me (except I don't know of any albums he's made).
4 jettloe // Feb 12, 2009 at 4:55 pm
i know! i feel blessed!
5 K_Ann // Feb 12, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Oh, I would love to see this – you lucky so-and-so
6 Phil // Feb 12, 2009 at 7:41 pm
I think Shatner is a GREAT actor.
In all honesty, as much as I like to drop “Burt Reynolds” into film conversations, I think both he and Shatner have parallel careers in some ways. I think Reynolds is also an excellent actor, who made some questionable career choices – and I am 100% serious about that, despite my love of Reynold's “box office” run of the late 70's early 80's.
Not trying to hijack this post, but my point simply is I agree with what you are saying, and by comparison what Shatner is to you, I think Reynolds is to me (except I don't know of any albums he's made).
7 Jett Loe // Feb 12, 2009 at 11:55 pm
i know! i feel blessed!
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