Contemporary Color

Contemporary Color, released in 2016, is a unique conceptual performance and concert film that features an incredible collaboration between renowned New World/American Utopia artist, David Byrne, Australian performer Simon Bennett, and Christian Delmotte, amongst many others. Conceived by the celebrated musician and visual artist David Byrne, the film offers more than a mere cinematic experience – it is an exploration of artistic expression, creativity, and the spectacular interaction of music, color, and movement.

Contemporary Color is a truly kaleidoscopic fusion of a variety of performing arts, blurring the boundaries between cinema, concert, and individual performance. The film is both an audiovisual feast and a vibrant homage to the art of color guard, alternately known as flag spinning, an intriguing mashup of marching band precision, complex choreography, and interpretive dance, often deemed to be a uniquely North American competitive performance art.

The film offers audiences a front-row seat to a remarkable performance that brings together ten elite color guard teams from across the United States and Canada. Every team is paired with a range of contemporary musical acts curated by Byrne himself, creating a unique potpourri of sound, color, and movement. World-class musicians from different genres, including St. Vincent, Nelly Furtado, Ad-Rock, and many more, write and perform live music for each routine. The result is electrifying – a surreal, sublime blend of energized teenage performers spinning flags, rifles, and sabers in perfect harmony with original music scores, all unfolding on one grand stage.

The documentary-style narrative flows naturally, offering audiences a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the creative process. Directors Bill and Turner Ross capture young performers' raw energy and the tight-knit community behind this under-recognized artistic world, as well as the suspense and thrill of the stage. In a sense, the film also serves as a tribute to the spirit of these young performers all of whom dedicate monumental amounts of time and effort to their art.

Adding an extra layer of depth to the film is the fact that well-known front-runner David Byrne himself steps into this unexplored territory alongside renowned personalities like Simon Bennett and Christian Delmotte. Byrne's exploratory spirit is beautifully mirrored in the film, and his celebrated artistic flair shines through as he pairs each color guard team with varied musicians. Also, the concept of the film centers around celebrated personalities away from their comfort zone, attempting to adapt new art forms, which attests to their creative versatility, hence making the film culturally significant.

The movie is as much about the spectators as it is about the performers. Through its breathtaking visuals and eccentric music, Contemporary Color is designed to be a therapeutic and transformative experience for the audience, transcending the boundaries between the stage and the stands. As the color guard teams twirl, toss, and spin their props, with each movement in sync with the music, the spectators are drawn into this shared universe of rhythm and color, experiencing a profound sense of unity and empathy with the performers.

Contemporary Color surpasses being merely a concert film or a sporting event. In its essence, it is a celebration of the untapped potential of the underdogs, an ode to an eclectic blend of art forms, and a captivating journey into a world unknown to many. With its immersive narrative and striking visuals, the film presents a newfound respect for the art of color guard and stands testament to the impact of collective creativity and camaraderie.

In conclusion, Contemporary Color is a revolutionary, immersive cinema experience that interlaces art, music, and athleticism to narrate an intense story of cultural exploration, artistic innovation, and youthful spirit. It is a film for anyone seeking to be awestruck by the range of human creativity and touched by the power of dreams and dedication. It is a film that teaches audiences to appreciate the true beauty of unfamiliarity and to celebrate the prowess of human expression, giving a beautiful platform to a lesser-known art form, making it a worthy watch.