FAUSTBOOK Vanguard Cinema 2005 Written by and starring Jacob Faust – Directed and shot by Eric Leiser
Well done yet overly personal.
This film begins with two scruffy guys sitting on a balcony talking about themselves. Very home movie and sort of odd - not what you expect to see. Come to find out this disk is an understandable memorial to the creator and star who is now dead. The release should have saved this clip until after the movie, thereby letting it stand on it's own merits and letting the creators personalities become an addendum to, rather than an overshadowing of the project. The movie itself begins in glorious black and white, yes, and instantly we are transported to another world - a very stylized and personal world that is the vision of this unique artist. Either you will identify with and/or appreciate this world, or you won't. I found it hard to fall into it's trappings, but then, there was something haunting about the whole experience. A paradox if you will
Had I met Jacob some late night, in some strange town, on some forgotten adventure? As I went on watching this young man in his bohemian ramblings, contemplating life, death, and everything in between. I realized I had. Jacob is the archetypal café beat that we all know and love. His mind is always working, his soul continually tortured, his passions ultimately leading him into situations best left to those who must confront the devil. This is all done with a quiet earthiness that ruffles no feathers but his own. We get to live vicariously through him as he pushes the barriers of existence challenging all of the institutions that we can't. The work is as much a diary of this man's life as it is a movie. Being filmed over a five-year period, the depth of dialogue and overall sensibility are evident of true artistic genius. I'm sure that had this man lived on, he would have accomplished great things. I find myself becoming touched by his passing, how poetic a loss. Eric Leiser however, does live on. Director of this film among several others, and more to come, this prolific troubador seems to have his fingers in just about everything. From cinematography and animation, to holographic science and fine art, I can't help but be curious to view this madman's other works. I may even forgive him for editing Faustbook with that clip at the beginning. At any rate, it's good to know that there are still good-old-fashioned crazy men running around and stirring up trouble. I can't wait to see more! If you like quirky/artsy with a touch of geek and a double-dash of trouble, you'll love Faustbook. www.albinofawn.com
