Dir. Alexandra Lipsitz, US, 2006, 81 mins, documentary
Cast: Peter Cilella, Dan Crane, Gordon Hintz, David S. Jung
Review by Katie Roberts
“To err is human, to air guitar is divine”…amateur air guitarist C-Diddy sums up in one nattily adapted quote both the grandiose idealism and downright stupidity that lies at the heart of Alexandra Lipsitz’s hilarious and touching documentary Air Guitar Nation. Following two American hopefuls as they riff their way through regional heats up to the World Air Guitar Championships in Finland, the much mocked and oft misunderstood art of air guitar – and according to the characters within it is the last pure art form left – is exposed in all it’s ridiculous glory.
The sweet and immensely likeable contestants provide the passion of Lipsitz’s film. US favourite C-Diddy is arrogant, comic and brimming with charisma, whilst his rival Bjorn Turoque (read it back to yourself) a quieter, more defiant soul, determined to showcase his air credentials at any cost to his dignity.
This perfectly formed documentary has an epic power struggle at its core, with a good v evil undertone as Air Guitar co-founder Zac Munro distances himself from C-Diddy’s mainstream appeal and puts his faith in Turoque as “the future of air guitar”.
Occasionally the rampant US nationalism jars, and perhaps could have been toned down to satisfy a more international audience, but the sheer innocence and fun of Air Guitar Nation is enough to endear it to even the most hardened music snob, and get you practising your air solos. See you next year in Finland!
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