In that vein, footage of an oversized papier mache head on a parade float is linked to a voiceover script about ‘powerful figures running rampant’, social media is referenced with warnings of ‘a constant feed picking at the brain’ and grotesque fancy dress is tied to last year’s word of the year, ‘goblin mode’.Īll 70 of the films were sourced from NWFA at Manchester Metropolitan University, where staff created high definition files from original footage using state-of-the-art equipment. “There’s something inherently strange about folk stuff like this, and I wanted to explore how we can use a language interplay to create a timeslip between the past, present and future.” It spoke of weird local folklore and traditions, which became even more intriguing when I collected and edited similar footage of enactments including magic tricks, community art performances and even a parade of people dressed as a caterpillar. The haunting 17-minute film showcases elaborate animal costumes, solemn rose queen processions and puzzling puppetry, all ceremonies from a bygone time that are cleverly linked by a narrator voice to trending topics of today.įilmmaker Chris Paul Daniels said: “I was inspired by watching NWFA’s footage of a turn of the century man dressed as a bush at a Rochdale parade. Imaginary figures, fantastical parades and a man dressed as a bush are just some of the weird and wonderful archive films featured in artist and filmmaking lecturer Chris Paul Daniel’s upcoming exhibition at HOME.Īgainst an original score of eerie electronic music composed by acid house pioneer Graham Massey, founder member of 808 State, Is there anybody there? weaves together 70 original films from the North West Film Archive at Manchester Metropolitan University, creating a monumental – and sometimes unsettling – study of traditions.Ĭhris Paul Daniels, senior lecturer at Manchester Met’s School of Digital Arts (SODA) spent hundreds of hours editing archive footage of North West carnivals, parades, Whit walks and pageants shot by enthusiasts between 19 in their homes, on the street, and by local film societies. Though I don't agree with many of the principles espoused by Ayn Rand in her book, The Fountainhead, the point she makes about how so many of us subjugate our judgment to others is worth taking to heart (a great read, by the way, which I highly recommend).Mammoth archive film installation explores strange small-town myths, rituals and folklore, set to new electronic score. ![]() One friend makes a statement about another and everyone accepts it as true without bothering to investigate themselves. A journalist presents a position about a topic of the day and has his or her opinion accepted as fact. This is as insidious as it is widespread. Beware the tendency to let others think for you.Try to regard your belief as just that-an inclination-so that you're not tempted to act with more confidence in your belief than is justified. Try to remain intellectually "agnostic" toward what hasn't been proven or isn't provable, even if you find yourself emotionally inclined to believe it. Demand proof when proof seems demonstrable. ![]() ![]() Work to free yourself from them to the best of your ability.
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