Roy Andersson's "Songs From The Second Floor"

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I would really like to hear from any ILFer who has seen this incredible film, even if you hated it. Andersson is chiefly a commercials director (but don't let that put you off) and Songs From The Second Floor is all shot in his own studio, where spaces are constructed specifically for the film in order to create false perspective and some amazing Trompe L'Oeil effects. There are several scenes using large crowds of extras in order to sustain a feeling of disturbing alternate reality - everything is decaying, awkward, bordering on manic. In one shot, two characters are talking in the extreme foreground, while a procession of people in business attire lurch past the window behind them, flogging themselves with makeshift bullwhips. I've seen this film compared to Terry Gilliam's work, and while I guess Brazil would be a worthy comparison, Songs From The Second floor is not a plot-driven film, and it's wild surrealism owes a lot more to Luis Bunuel. I am desperate to get hold of a copy of this film, if anyone can help.

Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Friday, 2 May 2003 04:39 (twenty-two years ago)

I really, really liked this movie (it'll probably make it into my top films of the first third of the decade or whatever if I ever get around to making a list). The sound design was particularly impressive.

I just noticed the movie's out on DVD here, so maybe you'll be seeing it in stores where you live soon.

slutsky (slutsky), Friday, 2 May 2003 05:09 (twenty-two years ago)

It's one of my top ten films evah (the list is out-of-date, but SFTSF has life membership).

Ess Kay (esskay), Friday, 2 May 2003 06:09 (twenty-two years ago)

oops! When you mentioned this before, Nordic, I thought you meant "Music from another Room" which I think is some awful Jude Law flick...anyways, this sounds fab - when did it come out??

dave k, Friday, 2 May 2003 06:15 (twenty-two years ago)

About a year and a half ago.

Has it been out long, slutsky?

Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Friday, 2 May 2003 07:23 (twenty-two years ago)

When you mentioned this before, Nordic, I thought you meant "Music from another Room" which I think is some awful Jude Law flick


Haha! I know a girl who loves this film, but I've never seen it. I'm sure it's terrible. Isn't the whole premise built around the idea of [x] - love, status, beauty, whatever - being like "Music from Another Room"? *shudder*

Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Friday, 2 May 2003 07:29 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes, I've seen "Songs from the second floor". I liked it, some incredible ideas there as well as some laugh out loud moments - the sieg heiling aged officer, the magician's trick that went wrong. One of my party dismissed it as weird and impenetrable for its sake and I can see why she might have thought that. I didn't though, I was mostly mesmerised, if occassionally a little bewildered.

Tag (Tag), Friday, 2 May 2003 09:15 (twenty-two years ago)

it was very funny.

slutsky (slutsky), Friday, 2 May 2003 12:52 (twenty-two years ago)

i thought it was v dull, actually. i half regretted not walking out...

toby (tsg20), Thursday, 8 May 2003 14:09 (twenty-two years ago)

four years pass...

new roy andersson at TIFF!!!

http://tiff07.ca/filmsandschedules/filmdetails.aspx?id=704201750491344

so stoked

s1ocki, Wednesday, 5 September 2007 13:45 (eighteen years ago)

seven years pass...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29098103

just sayin, Sunday, 7 September 2014 19:51 (eleven years ago)


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