Back to Back: Possibly in Michigan (1983) // Impostors (1979) Ft. Benz Doctolero

Welcome to the first installment of our "Back to Back" series, where we pair a short film with a feature-length to build a one-of-a-kind discussion surrounding the juxtaposition and exploration of two distinct narratives. In this episode, our guest is a local filmmaker and friend of the podcast, Benz Doctolero. Benz picked both movies that we discussed: one being a short viral internet sensation, and the other being a near-impossible find.

 

We start with a short horror musical, Possibly in Michigan, directed by American video artist Cecelia Condit. First released in 1983, it has since gained both a resurgence in popularity and achieved cult status among the video art, experimental, and feminist communities after being made available online for mass audiences to discover.

 

Eerie and emanating from what feels like an alternate universe, this transgressive short film lures the viewer in with its macabre operatic tale of two women followed in a shopping mall by a masked killer named Arthur, where the pursuer becomes the pursued. What ensues is a shocking and desensitized commentary on violence in hyperconsumerist America in the 1980s.

 

Following the short, we discuss, Impostors, an eccentric anti-realism mystery/comedy feature from 1979 directed by a legend in American underground/independent cinema, Mark Rappaport. The film centers on a pair of depraved magicians who may or may not be twins in pursuit of Egyptian jewels, along with an obsessive audience member who becomes infatuated with the magicians' assistant. The swirling and ever-shifting dynamics between the characters only help to solidify its knack for the bizarre.

 

As it stands now, the film has become near-impossible to find, and we hope to shed light on one of the many movies that go missing year after year until another fortunate soul stumbles upon it only to keep the light of it alive for just a bit longer.

 

As always, thank you for listening and we hope you enjoy the discussion.

 

Where to watch Possibly in Michigan (1983):

YouTube (Stream)

Vimeo (Stream)

 

Where to watch Impostors (1979):

Unfortunately, this film is not available online.

 

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