As a lifelong Beatles fan who’s seen more than my fair share of concert films and documentaries, I must say that Andrei Ujica’s TWST: Things We Said Today is a breath of fresh air. It’s not your typical concert film; it’s a beautifully crafted symphony of time and memory.
Instead of watching Andrei Ujica’s “TWST: Things We Said Today,” a fresh documentary about the Beatles’ legendary August 1965 concert at Shea Stadium, one might end up feeling disappointed upon realizing that the actual August 1965 concert footage at Shea Stadium is not shown on-screen.
One could.
Therefore, I’m issuing a cautionary note to you, as it would truly be unfortunate if the captivating, enlightening, and intricately experiential (as well as experimental) image left anyone feeling let down.
TWST is structured similar to a concert film, yet it’s a unique fusion of two non-fiction genres – tone poems and city symphonies. These categories often serve as general labels for critics and scholars when they lack more specific terms. Director Ujica skillfully combines these elements with meticulous use of archival footage and a touch of whimsy to produce a film that is both dreamy and insightful.
Fans of The Fab Four are well aware that “The Beatles at Shea Stadium” is indeed a historical event, despite being embroiled in legal complexities and disputes over rights for many years.
This documentary aligns with the time jumps mentioned in the title song written by Paul McCartney, a song he’s called “future nostalgia.” However, you won’t hear this song played within the documentary.
Back in August 13, 1965, I found myself right in the heart of New York City, where the Beatles had just landed. They were undeniably the most popular band on the planet at that moment, but the local journalists seemed preoccupied with speculation about whether they might have already been surpassed by other bands. For their hysterical fans, John, Paul, George, and Ringo embodied the current zeitgeist. To the more skeptical reporters, they represented a bygone era (or perhaps these reporters were simply stuck in the past). As an observer, I found myself suspended between the future, the past, and the present – a spectral witness to history unfolding.
We glide over grainy, stunning, black-and-white recordings compiled from numerous news broadcasts and home videos, frequently combined with live radio broadcasts about the upcoming event. The scene we’re witnessing is genuine and current, yet Ujica consistently reminds us that it’s a movie – reality is an artistic decision, one that a storyteller can easily modify whenever desired. (TWST might make for an unusual/entertaining pair with the Romanian director’s 1996 film Out of the Present, which presents a COMPLETELY different depiction of physical and temporal disconnects.)
Let me explain this in a simpler way: We follow a day’s events guided by multiple characters such as Geoffrey O’Brien, a young journalist and son of a famous NYC DJ, and Judith Kristen, an enthusiastic teenager who attends concerts. The words spoken by Judith (spoken by Therese Azzara) are from her diary, while those of Geoffrey (spoken by Tommy McCabe) are derived from what the press notes refer to as a “self-fictional account.” These two perspectives are interwoven with excerpts from Ujica’s fictitious short story titled “Isabela, the Friend of the Butterflies.
As a gamer, I’m navigating through a unique blend of reality and fiction. The characters, brought to life by artist Yann Kebbi, are depicted as dynamic, pulsating sketches superimposed on actual footage, guiding me through the city. I hail multiple cabs, cruising through the gritty streets of Harlem and the Fulton fish market before dawn, all while getting closer to the show. Simultaneously, this physical journey is taking us farther from our typical movie experience. My voyage gradually merges with that of Geoffrey, which involves picking up friends along the way and making a lengthy stop at the World’s Fair, which happened to be at Flushing Meadows in that particular year. This cinematic adventure is challenging my preconceived notions of what a movie can be.
If you’re aware, even a little bit, about the idea behind World’s Fairs (some may nod knowingly, while others might wonder), you’d recognize that they showcased accomplishments from the past and anticipated future advancements. It’s quite fascinating to think that Ujica must have felt great joy upon discovering that these significant events were happening just a stone’s throw apart from each other.
For Ujica, contrasting elements play a crucial role. While TWST revolves around a Beatles concert, the soundtrack is filled with songs popular during that era, heard either through the radio or ambient noise – cars passing by, open windows, and so on. Some of these songs, like Shirley Ellis’ “The Name Game,” may not hold much significance in our collective cultural memory now. Others, such as James Brown’s “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” remain just as significant, but their connection to the Beatles narrative feels more parallel than direct. Some songs, like Chuck Berry’s “Roll Over Beethoven,” serve as intersections – the Beatles famously covered this song, but they didn’t perform it at Shea Stadium.
Instead, let’s recall the excitement of Beatlemania, with fans gasping and pushing against barriers, even fainting at the edges – a sight we remember well. Yet, how frequently do we consider that the Watts Rebellion was unfolding simultaneously across the country? How often are we confronted with the striking contrast between the gentle handling by authorities in managing one “riot” and the escalating aggression in dealing with the other “riot”?
Perhaps people back then may not have consciously linked these ideas together, and our current interpretation might be naive or inexperienced to grasp them. However, Ujica skillfully presents his case, maintaining a fast pace without slowing down, leading us towards a conclusion that is both aesthetically pleasing and fulfilling. Despite the fact that it leaves out the very thing we expected to witness after 85 minutes of waiting.
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2024-10-01 16:55