#blackstar14

Wildcat is a state of mind; an experiment inspired by the composition and performance of jazz music. by khalil joseph enjoy

This year’s festival tagline, “Music Is the Weapon,” a Fela Kuti quote, is a great thematic anchor for Joseph’s short-form music films. Or music videos. In response to a question that referenced Hilton Als’ designation of “Until the Quiet Comes” and “Black Up” as “music films” and not “music videos,” Joseph quoted Miles Davis’ assertion that he “makes the shit, and that ya’ll [critics] [willy-nilly hand wave] can call it what you want.” He elaborated for part two of his answer, and indicated that his interest in the more prosaic realm of music-related filmmaking comes from a desire to make feature films. Only he likes to use albums as screenplays. Another illuminating aspect of his process divulged in the talk, was attention to what Joseph called the “minimalist moment,” or the idea that he gives his audience just enough information about his characters to captivate them, but not much more in the way of plot. He quoted Miles Davis again: “It’s about the notes that you don’t play;” and one could practically see the audience appreciate anew the mise-en-scene of his films. “I try to be as unconscious as possible,” he quipped. One wonders if Blackstar’s programmers were on that same wavelength when they picked the next film to follow the conversation.

So I met Adepero Oduye at #BlackStar14 and we're now BFFs. Thank you. #PrettyPeriod

Cleao Philadelphia, PA