Wim Wenders latest film, “Palermo Shooting,” debuted at Cannes in 2008, and then….pretty much disappeared.
The film follows a high fashion photographer as he journeys to the titular city, chatting with Death (um, played by Dennis Hopper) while Milla Jovovich (playing herself) and Lou Reed drop by for cameo appearances (the picture’s possible minor saving grace is that is also stars (the rather attractive) Giovanna Mezzogiorno, the excellent lead of the strong Cannes 2009 offering, “Vincere”).
Meanwhile, a voiceover and ponderous philosophical musings ensue. It’s not much of a surprise then that critical notices for the film were not great (it was largely considered one of the worst films of that year’s line-up), and to date, the film has not been picked up for U.S. distribution (it is currently available in an R2 DVD, but U.S. release? Don’t count on it.). However, in ScreenDaily’s review of the film, they give a thumbs up to the song heavy soundtrack, and though readily available to our European friends via City Slang since last fall, it finally landed on this side of the ocean on July 13th courtesy of 101 Distribution.
Featuring exclusive tracks by Grinderman (Wenders adores anything Nick Cave related) Bonnie “Prince” Billy & Matt Sweeney and Sibylle Baier, alongside cuts by Portishead, Iron & Wine, Beirut and Calexio, the soundtrack comes across as a decent, ramshackle 21-song strong mixtape.
Next on Wenders plate is the previously postponed (and potentially equally commercially-challenged), 3D dance film about legendary choreographer Pina Bausch .The film, originally planned to start shooting in September, was put on hold during pre-production stages when Bausch succumbed to cancer only five days after being diagnosed. Citing public interest, Wenders and Bausch’s theater company, Tanztheater Wuppertal, have confirmed the project is back in production. Wenders is working on a new concept for the film, and there is no word yet on when it will begin shooting.
Tracklist:
01. Grinderman – Dream (Song For Finn)
02. Get Well Soon – Busy Hope
03. Portishead – The Rip
04. Irmin Schmidt – Bei Flavia I
05. Iron & Wine – Freedom Hangs Like Heaven
06. The Long Winters – (It`s A) Departure
07. Calexico – The Black Light
08. The Velvet Underground – Some Kinda Love
09. Thom – Beds In The East
10. Irmin Schmidt – Fresko
11. Beirut – Postcards From Italy
12. Fabrizio De André – Quello Che Non Ho
13. Jason Collett – We All Lose One Another
14. Bonnie Prince Billy and Matt Sweeney – Torn And Brayed
15. Monta – My Impropriety
16. Sibylle Baier – Let Us Know
17. Irmin Schmidt – Bei Flavia II
18. Rosa Balistreri – Quannu Moru
19. Grinderman – Song For Frank
20. Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man – Mysteries
21. Get Well Soon – Good Friday
Here’s the German-language trailer for “Palermo Shooting,” which features Beirut’s “Postcards From Italy,” near the midway point; a film you’re probably never going to see. – Kevin Jagernauth
Very excited to hear these Grinderman songs.
Oh, and it's Jason Collett (with two t's) and the (great) song is "Lose One Another," not "Loose." It's a shame how bad his last record was.
Nice find, I hadnt heard about this movie.
Do you know what song is playing at the 0:30 mark?