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World Fantastic Cinema

Velvet Goldmine

Todd HAYNES

UK1998123min color

Synopsis

It 1971 and Brian Slade (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers), a young rock star, is idolized by hoards of teenagers inspiring them to paint their faces, wear feather boas and explore their own sexuality. The epitomy of the Glam Rock movement, Slade fakes his won fatal shooting on stage. Shortly after, his death is reported by the media as a hoax and he is soon forgotten by everyone. 1984: Arthur (Christian Bale), a journalist working for a New York newspaper, gets assigned the story about the fake murder of Brian Slade who mysteriously disappeared after his public disgrace. When Arthur was young and growing up in Manchester, he was more than a fan of Slade. Reluctantly he accepts the assignment and starts to investigate what happened to his old glamrock hero. Memories from his past reemerge as he meets Slade? ex-wife, Mandy (Toni Collette) - now working in a cabaret and Slade? American variation, Curt Wild (Ewan McGregor). As his investi-gation continues, Arthur delves into his own days of cross-dressing, painted faces and sneaking into Slade and Wild concerts. Inspired by true rock icons like David Bowie, Iggy Pop and the whole era of glitz and glamor in rock, Velvet Goldmine is an exploration of the age of sex, music, drugs and self-indulgence. (Cassie YOO)

Diretor

Todd HAYNES

Born in 1961, Todd Haynes is a controversial and experimental visual artist. His Poison (1991) which won Grand Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival received the critical acclaims. He directed numerous films such as I’m Not There (2007) which won Special Jury Award at Venice Film Festival and Carol (2015) also won several awards.