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16th - 19th July 2009
 
 


   
 
MUSIC & FILM AREA
     
Here's What Happened in 2008 - full 2009 details here soon

 
Enter the mind-bending world of sight and sound at Latitude’s hub of sensory stimulation, the legendary Music & Film Arena. Successfully entwining the alternative world of film and documentaries with live performances and stunning visuals this arena of wonder can help transport you into a parallel and uncharted world. Your senses will tingle and tickle with an exciting mix of visual and musical art.
Providing some sonic delectation to the Music & Film Arena, Mark Lamarr completes his selection of 5 specially chosen acts for his ‘God’s Jukebox’ at Latitude. Lamarr brings the extraordinary talent of James Hunter, one of the best (and one of the few) British blue-eyed soul singers of the last couple of decades. Starting his career as Howlin’ Wilf in the ‘80s, working with Van Morrison in the ‘90s and recording Grammy nominated albums in the ‘00s, James Hunter’s amazing guitar prowess - his manic solos recalling the fretwork of Ike Turner – and soulful voice has earned him plaudits all over the world. According to Van Morrison, James Hunter is "one of the best voices, and one of the best-kept secrets, in British R&B and soul.”
Mark Lamarr also invites Hunter’s recent touring buddy and country blues genius Pete Molinari. Hailing from Kent’s Medway Delta, Molinari, discovered by Billy Childish, has been wowing audiences with his remarkable falsetto which echoes such legendary voices as Patsy Cline, Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie. In the spirit of the great folk revival of the 1960s Molinari channels this inspiration into a fresh and reverent contemporary sound. Both Hunter and Molinari have recorded their forthcoming albums with famed producer Liam Watson at the legendary analogue Toe Rag Studios - where The White Stripes recorded Elephant.

The Music and Film Arena at this year’s Latitude will once again prove to be one of the most popular spots at the festival. With some never before seen collaborations between artists from the areas of film and image and the world of music, there are performances here that are simply unmissable.
The legendary Future Cinema Live present Mercury and Brit nominees Guillemots. Having recently been announced for the Uncut Arena this year, their incredible array of instruments will be in full flow as they play a set around David Lynch's classic surreal horror movie: Eraserhead. This mind-blowing show will include performers, short films and installations that will provide a unique live cinematic experience inspired by this cult movie landmark. This kind of performance is what the Music & Film Arena does best, so prepare yourself for a truly amazing spectacle – a treat for the eyes and the ears.
Independent filmmaker Chris Waitt attempts to interview his ex-girlfriends to find out why they dumped him. This revealing and humorous documentary sees the slacker filmmaker go on a sexual and emotional odyssey in a desperate quest to solve his innumerable problems. Latitude is proud to present A Complete History Of My Sexual Failures, the first release from Warp Films’ Warp X project which showcases the most exciting young directors in the UK with a series of low budget features. Director Chris Waitt will be in attendance to give us insights into his unique and personal documentary.
Bishi (aka DJ Siren), a 19 year old singer, DJ and musician began singing at the fragile age of two years old. Bishi’s impressive fusion of pop, electro and folk music has an infectious beat that has you starting with a shoulder jig, then before you know it you’re in the centre of the dance floor, arms aloft, with a group of people you don’t know too well. It is little surprise the Bishi rubs shoulders with fellow musical theatro-cat, Patrick Wolf. With a nomination for the Times breakthrough award already under her belt, Bishi also finds the time to DJ at London’s notorious cult nightclub Kash Point. Latitude are delighted to welcome this multi-talented young artist to the Music & Film Arena this year.
Johnny Flynn, dressed in a crumpled plaid shirt, jeans and well-worn tweed jacket, has the air of a young, sensitive academic rather than a pop singer wrapping himself in a strange mixture of English and US roots music carrying himself on a wonderfully sweet melody and traipsing drums. Appearing later on this evening at Latitude, he visits the Music and Film Arena this afternoon with an exclusive artistic early set. We’re not sure what he’s doing yet, but as a poet, artist and musician we’re sure it’ll be fantastic!
Birds Eye View brings to Latitude the silent film The Danger Girl by Clarence G. Badger. The film follows a love triangle between three characters where the vampish Helene uses her charms on Bobbie before Gloria breaks up the pair by disguising herself as a man to seduce Helene. The film will be accompanied by live music from experimental vocal trio Juice who specialise in vibrant, theatrical performances. Inspired by everything from jazz to pop, the trio regularly feature on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.
Latitude are pleased to announce London’s finest folk quintet Hey Negrita who will no doubt put on an unforgettable performance at this year’s festival. Wowing audiences both young and old with their energetically charged performances, the group’s Americana/Country crossover has an unmistakable sound and will be the perfect accompaniment to the sunshine. The performance will conclude with a screening of ‘We Dreamed America’, directed by Hey Negrita’s Alex Walker. ‘We Dreamed America’ “a twisted tail of British roots and American music”, features bands such as Alabama 3, Kitty Daisy and Lewis, The Broken Family Band, Matthew Ord and the Barker Band.
Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring is the creation of evil genius, Markus. They make inspirational congregational indie-pop music to sing along to. Think Roy Orbison and Spiritualized crossed with a strong dose of Arcade Fire. They count the BBC’s own Tom Robinson and Huw Stephens amongst their fast growing troupe of fans. Warning: May include audience participation and vast amounts of fresh flowers! Buzzard Buzzard provide a visual extravaganza of cup cakes (for the audience) and even more beautiful flowers.
Recently signed to the legendary Warp Records, Pivot is comprised of Sydney’s Laurence and Richard Pike, plus Perth electronic manipulator Dave Miller. Influenced by synthesizer luminary Vangelis, Warp label mates such as Autechre, and the post-punk new wave of Talking Heads, Pivot are reminiscent of Battles in their combination of electronic and organic elements to create an outstanding groove. They released their first single ‘In The Blood’ on Warp records in May. At Latitude they combine a set alongside a specially commissioned visual extravaganza.
The Exploits Of Elaine are five young men from Nottingham and Leeds make mysterious music that speaks of the past and points to the future. Organic, Kraut-like experiments with elements of folk poking above the noise. Expect chord organ, Jew’s harp, synth, melodica, mandolin, glockenspiel, banjo, wok and other amplified objects. They will accompany Sarah Wood’s film The Book Of Love, a found-footage investigation into the psychosexual landscape of love.
Having dusted down rusty old tins of 35 and 16 mm film discovered in the depths of national archives, The Smoking Cabinet presents a selection of films, which aim to exhibit and explore the early moving image and its relationship with other forms of live entertainment popular before 1933, and a panel discussion with two of the cabaret & burlesque scenes most delightful talents. Amy Lame, host and co-founder of seminal cabaret night Duckie, and acclaimed performer Marisa Carnesky. The discussion will cover the topic of women in burlesque & cabaret and the notion of empowerment vs. titillation. The discussion will be followed by a screening of rarely screened short films that epitomise the flair, humour and eroticism of cabaret and burlesque inspired early cinema. The films screened will celebrate popular entertainment in the belle époque to the Weimar Republic and includes work by Ernist Lubitsch (So This is Paris 1926) Percy Smith (Birth of a Flower 1910) and Thomas Edison (Trapeze Disrobing Act 1902) as well as featuring turn of the century music hall stars, circus performers, early erotica and performing animals.
 
English Language [With English Subtitles] is a tenderly offbeat comedy about love and communication, or the lack thereof. Written and directed by actor Tim Plester, and featuring sparkling music by singer/songwriter Barbarossa. Meet Mulligan, a typically English man, Esther, his Scandinavian girlfriend, and the on-screen subtitles that find themselves along for the ride.
Brian Cano brings his short film Rubberheart to the Latitude Music and Film Arena. This US romantic comedy treads similar ground to the recent cinema hit Lars & The Real Girl, as we follow a lonely man’s quest for love. He finally finds the right girl, but she has to face a few other ladies after his heart.
noel fielding the mighty boosh
Sweet, a short film by James Pilkington and staring The Mighty Boosh is defiantly a treat that will be well received in the Music and Film arena. Noel Fielding plays Pete Sweet, who works on a record stall, owns a scooter and two puppies, has a best friend called Stitch played by Julian Barratt and is currently dating a short, dumpy ginger girl called Poppy. Who is imaginary. She was originally imagined by Pete's mate Dave's Mum, who had always wanted a girl. Does that explain it for you?
A comedy short film festival – for adults only! Darryl’s Hard Liquor & Porn Film Festival, part video showcase and part drunken bash, will feature films and animations from across the world. There’s no guarantee you’ll see any real porn, so we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you perverts. Founder Darryl Gold will be attending direct from Toronto to tell us how to make porn funny, and how to make your spicy porno pic.
Since directing the video for Orbital’s THE BOX starring Tilda Swinton, Jes Benstock’s work has veered from art installations to animated documentaries. At Latitude he will be on stage to introduce his two personal documentaries ORDERS OF LOVE about his family’s Jewish history and THE HOLOCAUST TOURIST looking at the industry built up in Europe in the wake of the recent resurgence of interest in World War 2.
Blowing audiences away with astounding performances, Latitude are proud to welcome Patti Plinko and Her Boy to the Music & Film Arena. The duo’s brooding, atmospheric sound is a story of dark seduction, death and sex, the words can be whispered with love or screamed with passion, it is truly the sound of a woman baring her soul for all to hear. In a world where the singer/songwriter label has become something of a cliché, it is always refreshing to have something uncompromising and unique.
They join an exciting line-up including a Latitude exclusive performance from infamous composer Michael Nyman, alternative film and documentaries courtesy of BAFTA and the Halloween Music & Film Club as well as Mark Lamarr presenting Buzzcocks, Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed & The True Loves, The Heavy, James Hunter and Pete Molinari and live performances from Barry Adamson plus much more to be announced.

     
     
• It's More Than Just a Music Festival •