Event
Random Lunacy - NYUFF Closing Night
"This guy makes Jack Kerouac look like he lived at home with his mother and went out on the road on weekends." Alec Wilkinson, The New Yorker
Closing the 14th Annual New York Underground Film Festival is the New York Premiere of Victor Zimet and Stephanie Silber's Random Lunacy: Videos from the Road Less Traveled. All happy families are not alike, as proved by Poppa Neutrino, aka David Pearlman, and his Flying Neutrinos. A wandering soul, a particle spontaneously transforming, Poppa leads his family on a true quest for freedom and adventure. Rather than to drift through the obligations of an ordinary, "sequential" life, Poppa chooses to be what most people recognize as homeless, Âa lifestyle he elects for himself as well as his ever-expanding family.
Unencumbered by any possessions (save, curiously, a video-camera that seems to have been rolling since the early 1980's) the Neutrinos roam the globe, Poppa philosophizing all the way. An astounding wealth of footage captures moments of the fledgling family learning ways of happiness, respect and adulthood from their captain, alongside confessions of mortal doubts and fears stirred by the intensity of Poppa's scarier lessons.
While it may seem that what makes Poppa's life so remarkable is the where-the-wind-takes-him absence of any "plan," try again. This man has a master plan that is always evolving, always growing grander if not more grandiose, but never to outgrow the simple goal of living life randomly and lovingly. At times he makes it look easy and other times impossible. Why can't everyone live this way? Well: we can but we don't, so Poppa's story is modern myth, and as inspiring as you can dream.
"Movies like to pretend they're different, but Random Lunacy really, truly is: Poppa doesn't work, pay rent, listen to doctors or kiss institutional butt. He prefers to invent his life as he goes along, whether he's building a raft out of scraps and sailing the Atlantic, inventing a new football play or touring the world from Mexico to Russia with his band, The Flying Neutrinos. But don't discount the intellect that Poppa uses to back up his wit and daring as leader of his tribe. That's right, tribe. Family is what you call the Waltons. The collection of wives, children, step-children and believers who make up the Neutrinos defies categorization. And so, using Poppa's own videos to augment their tale, Zimet and Silber throw us into a life that intoxicates, infuriates and leaves us panting for each unique and unforgettable adventure. Prepare to be wowed.- Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
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LocationAnthology Film Archives
32 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10003
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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