''Strange Parallel'' is a documentary short film revolving around the American singer-songwriter

Elliott Smith Steven Paul Smith (August 6, 1969 – October 21, 2003), known as Elliott Smith, was an American musician and singer-songwriter. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and lived much of his life in Portland, Oregon, whe ...

. The film was directed by

Steve Hanft Steve Hanft is a music video and film director. Early life Steven Hanft was born in Ventura, California. He has an MFA in Experimental Narrative Film from CalArts. Music videos Steve Hanft has directed music videos for recording artists such as ...

and released on October 15, 1998, and features interviews with Elliott himself as well as fans, friends and other acquaintances of his.

Background

''Strange Parallel'' includes interviews with Elliott Smith himself, as well as fans, friends and other acquaintances, including

Gus Van Sant Gus Green Van Sant Jr. (born July 24, 1952) is an American filmmaker, photographer, painter, and musician. He has earned acclaim as an independent film, independent auteur. His films typically deal with themes of marginalized subcultures. His ...

, Larry Crane and the members of

Quasi ''Quasi'' may refer to: *Quasi (band), American indie rock band * ''Quasi'' (film), 2023 American film *Quasi, a musical term meaning "almost" * ''Quasi'' (fly), a genus of insect * ''Quasi'' (sculpture), an artwork in Wellington, New Zealand *"Q ...

. The film also includes snippets of Elliott Smith performing, as well as footage of him recording an unreleased song, "Brand New Game". The film sometimes moves out of reality, with acted-out, metaphorical sequences that involve Elliott considering purchasing a mechanical hand (a "robot hand") to improve his music. The film takes place mostly in New York City and

Portland Portland most commonly refers to: *Portland, Oregon, the most populous city in the U.S. state of Oregon *Portland, Maine, the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maine *Isle of Portland, a tied island in the English Channel Portland may also r ...

, Oregon. The title is a direct quote from an interview of one of Elliott's acquaintances (a

bartender A bartender (also known as a barkeep or barman or barmaid or a mixologist) is a person who formulates and serves alcoholic or soft drink beverages behind the Bar (establishment), bar, usually in a licensed bar (establishment), establishment as ...

) who said he felt a "strange parallel" between himself and Elliott when he met him. The film was used for promotion only and is not available for purchase. Director Steve Hanft says this about the film:

In 1998, I was hired to make a film for the reclusive rocker Elliott Smith. Very excited, I flew to Portland, Oregon, where he was staying and met with him to figure it out before we filmed. At the meeting he explained, in a very quiet voice, with a slight smile, that he didn't want it to be a straight-up documentary. So I suggested he write down some of his dreams. The next day, we met again, and he began talking a lot, and louder, telling me all about how he "had a fucked up dream last night". It was very funny when he explained it, everyone in and around the music business he was in was telling him to get a mechanical hand to replace the hand that he'd trained for so long to play guitar. There was also a military recruiter who came into the bar where he was writing a song that would yell at him for no reason, and Satan was there; that kills me. A lot of people who know him from his music don't understand that he was really funny. So we wrote the dream into the shot list and intercut it into the more traditional music footage. It was hard to get the documentary footage out of him; he hated being interviewed. He was much more into the dream sequence and we had a lot fun shooting it. It was an amazing experience and just knowing a guy like that, so talented and brutally honest, has changed my life. Bless him.

Music featured

All songs written and performed by Elliott Smith, except as noted. * "Independence Day" * "Waltz #2 (XO)" (live) * "Brand New Game" (early version, unreleased) * " Miss Misery" * "Waltz #2 (XO)" * "Waltz #1" * "Bottle Up and Explode!" (live) * "Robot Hand Jive" and "In Between Time" (narration music) – written and performed by Dada Munchamonkey (aka Ed Ruscha, Jr.) * "Isn't It a Pity?" (live) – written by

George Harrison George Harrison (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English musician, singer and songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Culture ...

* "Ballad of Big Nothing" (live) * "

Happiness Happiness is a complex and multifaceted emotion that encompasses a range of positive feelings, from contentment to intense joy. It is often associated with positive life experiences, such as achieving goals, spending time with loved ones, ...

" (live) * "Waltz #1" (theremin) – performed by Sam Coomes, arranged by Elliott Smith * "Waltz #2 (XO)" (dub version) – written by Elliott Smith, performed by Future Pigeon * "Prelude Op3 #2 in C Sharp Minor" (live) – written by

Sergei Rachmaninoff Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff; in Russian pre-revolutionary script. (28 March 1943) was a Russian composer, virtuoso pianist, and Conducting, conductor. Rachmaninoff is widely considered one of the finest pianists of his day and, as a compos ...

, performed by Elliott Smith * "Coming Up Roses" * "Oh Well, Okay" (live) * " Baby Britain"

Cast

; Interviewees *

(director of ''

Good Will Hunting ''Good Will Hunting'' is a 1997 American drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. It stars Robin Williams, Damon, Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård and Minnie Driver. The film tells the story of janitor Will Hunt ...

'') * Chuck (bartender) *

Sam Coomes Samuel J. Coomes (born April 23, 1964) is an American musician, and one half of the indie band Quasi, along with his ex-wife, drummer Janet Weiss. Coomes was also a member of the mid-1980s underground pop band The Donner Party and replaced Brand ...

and

Janet Weiss Janet Lee Weiss (born September 24, 1965) is an American rock drummer, a member of Quasi (band), Quasi and former member of Sleater-Kinney. She was the drummer for Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, leaving after the album ''Mirror Traffic'', and co ...

(of

) * Larry Crane * Marne Lucas * Amber Strom * Harry Kulpoenen ; Additional appearances * Dave England as Devil * Sasha Fuentes as Robot Hand Salesman * Ross Harris as Robot Hand Salesman * James Lee Ellis as Doctor * Akhigbonde Francis as Doctor * Amy Metsman as Member of the Board * William Edwards as chairman of the board * Sean Croghan as Sgt. Slaughter * Joanna Bolme as Recording Engineer * Robin Bauer as Devil Sympathizer * Laura Nerlove as Devil Sympathizer * Sonia Manalli as Medical Technician * Vanessa Reyes as Medical Technician * Brent Sersen as Member of the Board * Tracy Van Zandt as Devil Sympathizer

References

External links

* {{Elliott Smith 1998 films Elliott Smith