Director: John Cameron Mitchell
Starring: John Cameron Mitchell, Andrea Martin, Michael Pitt, Alberta
Watson, Stephen Trask, Rob Campbell, Theodore Liscinski, Michael Aronov
Related Links
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
IMDB
related products
Films starring John Cameron Mitchell (PAL Video, Region 2 DVD)
Related Books
|
|
Hedwig and the Angry Inch is the creation of talented stage and screen
performer, John Cameron Mitchell. It began life as a series of performances
at New York City's Squeezebox, and then grew to become a cult sensation on
the Off-Broadway stage. In its current incarnation, Hedwig is dazzling and
highly cinematic work that thumbs its perfectly powdered nose at convention.
It is the rock and roll offspring of Douglas Sirk and Mary Ellen Bute - a
hybrid of live action and animation that surprises and entertains its audience.
The film opens as singer Hedwig Schmidt (John Cameron Mitchell) drunkenly takes the 'stage' (risers next to the salad bar) at an unglamorous seafood restaurant (appropriately named 'Bilgewater') and rips into a
tirade of autobiographical songs and stage rants. As she speaks and sings,
her story begins to unfold: It is the early 1970s and Little Hansel Schmidt
(Ben Mayer-Goodman), the child of an American G.I. and an East German woman,
spends his days listening to armed forces radio and dreaming of being as
fabulous as Anne Murray, Toni Tenille, or Debby Boone. One day an American
soldier (Maurice Dean Wint), offers the pretty teenager both marriage and American
citizenship on the condition that he undergo a sex change operation. Hansel
(and his mother) agree to the proposal and the three head off to a
back-alley East German 'clinic'. Unfortunately for Hansel, though, the
quickie surgery is botched and s/he is left with an 'angry inch' of flesh - a
'Barbie doll crotch' that renders him intersexual.
Unshaken, Hansel borrows his mother's identity and becomes Hedwig, departing for the States with a
new husband and high hopes. Things don't work out as planned, however, and
Hedwig finds herself abandoned in a trailer park in Junction City, Kansas.
Still undefeated, Hedwig devotes her time and energy to developing her musical career.
As a means of supporting this artistic ambition she takes a job as a babysitter
for an army general, and becomes a mentor for one of her charges, the
officer's horny, Jesus-obsessed son, Tommy. The two begin making music
together, but Tommy soon overshadows his former babysitter, and is quickly
signed by a major record label. Once more, Hedwig is left with nothing ... but not for long.
While some have been quick to point out seemingly obvious allusions to
David Bowie, Glam rock, Velvet Goldmine, and The Rocky Horror Show, I found
myself noticing similarities between the film's larger-than-life protagonist
and transgender superstar Jayne County, punk rock diva Nina Hagen and
international woman of mystery Amanda Lear. And indeed, it is the simple
fact that nearly every viewer who has the opportunity to see this amazing
little film will come away with his or her own slightly different reading of
its surprisingly complex images and subtexts that make it well worth seeking
out in the wasteland of otherwise run of the mill offerings. Mitchell's Hedwig is an impressive achievement, both musically and cinematically speaking, and deserves to be recognized as such. Its
hilariously skewed and refreshingly irreverent take on gender politics
illustrates that movies don't have to resort to academic art house
pretensions to comment on such subjects as socio-cultural identity.
Reviewed by Robert Cagle
Reader comments about Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Paul Robert David Edwards (Email address withheld) writes:
To me the film was inspirational, my life was deeply affected by the inspirational characters. thankyou for your time i look forward to another great classic by the great john the merciless!!!! WE LOVE U!!!!!
Jay (xchambermusic) writes:
Short Summary; What Hedwig means to me. It isnt meant to be taking litterally. It is the quest for someone who cares. In a world of closed minded people, while being the root of everything they'll never understand. While also realizing that the only one who really understands is yourself, and the search for co-dependance can be a long and harsh journey. Thats what it means to me a least. take it for what its worth. -Jay.
sk (twistedriff86@yahoo.com) writes:
hedwig has changed my life
I happen to be making a internet website to add to the community og hedwig fans if you have any good stills facts or comments please feel free to e-mail me any time thank you
Lacey (laceyconley@hotmail.com) writes:
When I first saw Hedwig and the Angry Inch I became a die-hard fan of both the movie/live show and the man behind the make-up. Being a theatre person myself with aspirations of pursuing a career in the arts (by the way, I am presently 14 years of age for those of you who don't know), he inspired me in numerous unexplainable ways. And, naturally based on articles read and his works I had viewed, I formed a general opinion that he was a very "down to earth" and lovable guy who had remained untainted by such industrial success. After a dry encounter with John Cameron Mitchell himself just as of last week, I am left wondering what to think. Onstage, during the Q&A, he remained the comedic personality I had collected from the articles and sites. However, in person (following the Q&A), he seemed very unreceiving of any reaction. I had requested a photo with him as well as an autograph and kept very low-key, fearing that too much attention would be discomforting. But, as I sat and watched, he was bombarded by people and yet it seemed the only smiles were to the group gathered at his feet - performing songs they had written personally for Hedwig and displaying costumes. Is this the sort of attention he craves or is he at all comfortable with overzealous fans? I am not sure how to interpret his demeanor and in no way am I wishing to gather a wrong impression of the man who has inspired my work so very much. But, ultimately, on this one...I couldn't comment one way or another. What I am asking is for anyone who has encountered a meeting with John Cameron Mitchell - whether it be good or bad - please email me!!! You can reach me at laceyconley@hotmail.com and I thank you greatly for your replies.
Keven Shaffer (froger1986@yahoo.com) writes:
Hedwig and the Angry Inch is the best movie I have ever seeen in my entire life. I guess the main reason I enjoyed it so much was that there were so many people like me in the movie, she where I live there isn't that many gothics or gays so I am practally a loner I have watcheed your movie at least over a 100 times. There are some other reasons why I enjoyed your movie so much was theodore liscinski I think that he is the sexiest man I have ever seen in my life, he is the reason that I am gay. Which sucks because I will never be with him or even near him for that matter, and besides I am only 18 and he would most likly be around 26. I also think that ted should have dyed his hair the way it was in the movie instead of just plain old black. My hair is kind of like his is in the movie except it's longere and it's black and green. I think he get some piercings as well he would alot more sexy. like me I have my lip,septem,eyebrow,stomache#8,both nipples,my back #3,and my ear#10, he should at least get his nipples done that is exstemely sexy. Well anyways your movie was great and I hpoe they're will be a second one.
Add your comments about Hedwig and the Angry Inch [About]
|
