Ant Muzak (2002)

Director:

Ben Gregor

Writer:

Tim Plester (writer)

Genre:

Comedy | Short

Plot:

Even cult Eighties popstars need to shop... |

Cast

Nick Moran	...	Goddard
Mackenzie Crook	...	Gary Tibbs
Steve Oram	...	Marco
Tim Plester	...	Merrick
Tom Meeten	...	Terry-Lee
Gary Tibbs	...	Dirk the Duty Manager
Mark Heap	...	Tannoy-Voice
Neil Edmond	...	Sputnik Degville
Stephen Evans	...	Sputnik Chris K.
Renton Skinner	...	Sputnik Neil X
Jo Bourne-Taylor	...	Sputnik Tiyana
Di Botcher	...	Diana Fluck the Checkout Assistant

Runtime:

10 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

Film Club

The concept is simple and effective, producing a quietly funny short film that is absurd and amusing

It's around 2am on Tuesday morning. A 24 hour supermarket is quiet with only a few people drifting in and out and the staff cleaning and restocking.

However, just like the rest of us, popstars need to do their weekly shop and it is at this time that Adam Ant and his group arrive to do their shopping. With some of the Ants wandering off impatiently, Adam tries to get everything they need and get home as soon as they can.

I had no idea what this film was about when I videoed it and I was surprised to find it be as enjoyable as it actually was. The plot is a very low key but absurd event where a pop group are doing the same old grind as the rest of us – in a way it is not dissimilar to the BBC show 'Stella Street' in the way it puts stars in the unusual setting of real life. Here it is not hilarious but it has enough inventive moments that, combine with the juxtaposition in the first place, add up to an amusing short film. The laugh of real belly laughs gives it the observational feel of The Office and it is likely that it will appeal to UK viewers much more than it will other nationalities and cultures.

The use of full makeup and costume is funny in itself but to add things like them doing the Prince Charming dance down an aisle is very funny (and even better for the unfussy and unshowy manner in which we see it – again like it is normal!). Even the end credits get in on the act, with the usual disclaimer changed to 'any similarity between real characters living or dead is purely co-ants-idental' giving me a final laugh right at the end. The cast are nicely low key with a few familiar faces in there, mostly they do a good job of looking flashy but also being boringly normal!

Overall this is a very funny film even though it has no real big laughs in it. The concept is simple and it is effective – Adam Ant does his shopping in Co-op of a night! The juxtaposition of the familiar with the stellar is good for a consistently amusing short film that I consider to have been a very good find. Definitely those that like the concept of Stella Street and the quiet, observational laughs of The Office should give it a try.