Instrument (1999)

Sadly Over-hyped

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Excellent cinematography is displayed in the film-Cohen utilizes various types of film, from super 8 to 16mm. Fugazi, being the greatest medley of musicians to emerge from the DC area, is depicted on screen in an 115 minute documentary. The video includes really neat live footage, as well as some bonus material. What's not to enjoy?

I've known of Fugazi by reputation since they first arrived on the hardcore scene but until seeing this film had never actually heard them. For fans of the band this will probably be a must see, but for the rest of us it's a decidedly mixed bag. At their best, Fugazi sound like a mixture of Sonic Youth, early Gang of Four, and Alternative TV. Most of the time, however, they deliver a rather leaden and humourless avant-punk that may have served as the prototype for every sports metal band from Rage Against the Machine to Papa Roach. While I greatly admire the band for taking control of their destiny, I think Instrument highlights many of the internal contradictions in their master plan. The film is little more than the kind of self-congratulatory puff piece that the band would probably be disgusted with under different circumstances. The only voices of dissent are a few punks interviewed towards the end of the film who don't like the band's attitude towards dancing, or think their music has lost its edge. Otherwise, it's two solid hours of fractured concert footage, fractured studio footage, and fractured interview footage. We don't get any idea of where the band came from and we barely get a look into the personal lives of the group members. Fugazi--The Grateful Dead of the hardcore generation? That may be too harsh a judgement, but their longevity, commitment to worthy but generally lost causes, and general lack of tunefulness certainly provides parallels with the horrible hairy hippies of the Haight. Final analysis: I like everything about this band except their music and their movie. Really. I'm glad they care about their audience, and I think it's great that someone can go and see them perform without feeling ripped off by Ticketmaster or getting immersed in corporate sponsorships. And I'd sooner listen to them than the foul Rage Against the Machine.

This documentary is something of a pinnacle for Fugazi and Jem Cohen. Cohen has long been artistically involved with Fugazi, and now he has pieced together this documentary. The film jumps around and swirls with the music, getting more choppy and spacey as the band itself becomes more experimental. It is as if the film is evolving with the subject. At times, Instrument can be a long haul, but it is well worth it.

An amazing documentary chronicling an amazing band. I hope that fifty years from now, this film is used as reference in a musical and even a sociological sense. Color and b+w both fit well here. The music is arresting and intense, the imagery fits the music and the pace. Anyone who likes well made documentaries should see this. Throughout the film, there are quick sketches of people in line that coincide with pieces of music. This is my favorite part. This might be hard to find, but keep an eye out for it.