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In this day and age of ubiquitous media, where you have many chances and ways of seeing a film (theatrically, on DVD/BD, streamed, as a file download), it is quite a different beast when your only chance of seeing a film is like, tonight at 7 pm. This is the case with one of several films which Crispin (Hellion) Glover screens as part of his travelling road show which includes a slideshow where he functions as a benshi entertaining us with an enthusiastic reading from a selection of his found books (Rat Catching, Oak Mot, etc.), a film, followed by a Q&A and book buying/signing session. That was clearly the draw for me when Glover brought his show to Montreal on January 27 and 28, 2017, at the J.A. De Seve theatre at Concordia University. And better yet, the film was going to be projected on 35mm. The event reminded me of my pre-VHS viewing days, when seeing a film at the theatre was often “a catch me if you can” scenario. And the way I would carefully read and mark up the TV guide for films I wanted to watch. Glover’s modus operandi emulates this earlier screening era by the way he carefully and guardedly protects his property and distribution rights. The films he screens are only ever screened with him in attendance. He travels with his own personal copy of the film print and does not allow ANY photos or filming during his performance. He posts trailers on his website but does not provide screeners or links. So given this “go or miss it forever” decision I ventured downtown to see Glover’s show, which included the main attraction for me, the feature film It is Fine! Everything is Fine! (2007). It is Fine! Everything is Fine! is the second (though screened on the first night) of an intended trilogy, with the first film What is it? screening on the second night (the third film is in production and tentatively titled It is Mine). The film was shot on 16mm blown to 35mm and the print screened was a nice 35mm print, with rich colors and ever present grain and texture.
It is Fine! Everything is Fine. is a...