Roxy Screening 21st Feb

Pieces of JoJo

“JoJo In The Stars”Director: Marc CrasteProducer: Sue GoffeProduced by: Studio AKABAFTA winner in 2004 for Best Short Animation.

Mind the cigarette break at half time, as a bittersweet piece of animation will start off the second half of (A dog barks) screening at Roxy Bar and Screen.

“JoJo In The Stars” is an odd pastiche of a film that revolves around a flying trapeze artist and her nameless, devoted beau. JoJo belongs to Madame Pica and her long-running freak-show housed in a seemingly endless tower, where the townspeople venture to catch a voyeuristic glimpse. Inspired by the crackling white light and vignetting of silent era films, the film’s nostalgic style is juxtaposed with a wash of sounds. Echoing footsteps, heavy doors slamming, cyclonic winds, tortured screams - all of which is drowned out by the lovers’ dirge of a single, melancholic trumpet.

After watching “JoJo in the Stars”, I tried to trace the deja-vu feeling of the film through books, films and videogames. There are common elements, such as the story of two innocent, yet oppressed lovers. But these details are intermingled with others from more unlikely sources, such as Madame Pica’s prison modeled on Rapunzel’s tower.

Below is an impromptu list of what I was reminded of. There must be a graphic novel relation, but it alludes me now. If you can’t add to the list, challenge some of the odder choices. You’ll be sure to receive either an astute or hare-brained explanation, depending on your choice.

Films: Broken Blossoms, A Nightmare Before Christmas, Sunrise, Le Samourai, Der Blaue Engel, The Saddest Music in the World, Port of Shadows, The Godfather Soundtrack

Books: Geek Love by Katherine Dunn, Rapunzel

Videogames: Grim Fandango