Have you heard of the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome? No? Well I'm sure you're not the only one. Categorized as a true "living" Museum it's located in the historic town of Rhinebeck, New York. In this hidden treasure hides the one of the largest collection of early airplanes in the world. Yet, what makes this spot unique is that the history literally jumps off the page as these artifacts get to take flight in their weekend air shows. Known as "The only real time machine on Earth" Aerodrome is an original documentary by up and coming filmmakers Francesco Cordaro, Devin Pickering and James Foster. I was hesitant to view this film because it usually takes a lot for me to watch documentaries. It is just generally a genre of film I tend to shy away from unless the subject matter is of utmost concern for me—and being only five feet tall I don't spend a lot of my time 40,000 feet in the air
or thinking about it mind you. But after the opening sequence I was sold. I understood the draw. Not everyone is interested in planes but everyone wants to fly.
Speaking of that opening sequence—it takes minutes for the world to be created in this documentary. It established this immediate feeling of nostalgia for Americana. A way back. A look into what made this country tick and a peek at simpler times; sans iphones and twitter. This opening sequence features slow panning cameras juxtaposed with vibrant colors to create an insatiable tone that sucks the viewer in immediately. What "Aerodrome" does so eloquently is that it creates a bond between the viewer and the planes themselves. Once this relationship is in place it only deepens as the film continues. Then come the interviews. I'm a sucker for on-location interviews and an even bigger sucker when the interviewee in question is an adorable elderly man. Depicting the story of 'the romantic side of flying' as the film progresses we learn why these men work at the Aerodrome—and more importantly why these men want to fly
what it means to fly. To fly is to be free—to fly is to have no separation between the Earth and sky. In short anything is Possible.
With every interview the story builds these natural swells until it reaches what I believe to be the cinematic climax with a superb aerial shot that accurately depicts the feeling of flight. It's a marriage between the shot and the soundtrack that allow this film to live happily ever after. Speaking of the soundtrack
which could easily be billed as best supporting actor. As if it wasn't ambitious enough to take on this material and make it modern and relevant Pickering and Foster composed the soundtrack themselves. Let me tell you it's something I want a copy of. One can't help but smile when listening to it. "Aerodrome" is the unspoiled and unadulterated recounting of a small piece of Americana
and I want a second slice!