"Stop Making Sense" (4K Restoration) Movie Report

The film "Stop Making Sense," which was released in theaters in 1984 and has long been loved by many, captures Talking Heads at the peak of their live performance, and is now being re-released in theaters after a 4K remaster.

This live performance also features notable support members such as Funkadelic's Bernie Worrell and Ednah Holt, known for the West End garage classic "Serious, Sirius Space Party".This time, we bring you a review of the film by Strada customer and drinking companion, DJ AKIHISA, who is active in two locations in Kansai and Kyushu!

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- The 1970s. TALKING HEADS formed amid the New York punk movement. This film opens with their signature song "Psycho Killer".





A video work that allows you to enjoy the legendary avant-garde and artistic live performance at the Hollywood Pantages Theater in December 1983♪

What is shown is a performance where frontman David Byrne, dressed in a loose-fitting light gray suit, makes comical yet somehow cynical movements amidst a stage set as minimalist as the music.

The second song, "Heaven," is a rare acoustic guitar piece for TALKING HEADS. A song about a dreamlike bar in heaven.

When I was in my 20s, I used to go almost every day to a bar called DEEP in Sakaemachi near Kobe Port, a place with iconic wine-red interiors that was also a place of longing and where I enjoyed dreamlike days. Here, I encountered the original "STOP MAKING SENSE" shown on a vintage TV that seemed to be from the 60s, and in the store, I enjoyed the time when "Heaven" echoed with the beautiful voices of the two in a duet with bassist Tina Weymouth. The film continues while reminiscing about such pleasant memories.

In the middle, while watching the city scenery shown, you can immerse yourself in the slow synth-pop of "This Must be the Place," and in this flow, you are led to the hit single "Once in a Lifetime".

While TALKING HEADS take a breather here, Tina Weymouth performs "Genius of Love" as a vocalist under the name Tom Tom Club, featuring playful members and fun lyrics. This alone is enough to fully charge your satisfaction here.

And as the energy of the floor increases, TALKING HEADS resume their live performance! African Beat, Rock'n'Roll, Punk, and various other genres of music are sublimated into New Wave sound, combined with the message-filled lyrics delivered by the cynical, somehow fragile, and sickly David Byrne. As the song progresses, the BPM also accelerates. Percussion and synths start to run. By the time "Take Me to the River" comes at the end, the floor is at its peak! The cheers of the audience unique to live performances and the swaying, passionate floor are shown, and you suddenly realize that your own body is swaying while watching the movie.

- The film that captures the best live performance of TALKING HEADS, which can be called their golden age, has now appeared as a 4K restored version after 40 years, and I actually experienced this film in the theater, the sound felt clear and had a soft expansion, and the visuals were clearer than the original.

The form that David Byrne aimed for in 1984, leading the New Wave scene from New York, has finally been realized in the 4K restored version looking ahead to 40 years later, so if that is the case, his talent is even more unpredictable, and this film proves that he is the perfect "Psycho Killer".

I can only take my hat off to that talent. If you become addicted to that somehow sickly weird dance, this movie is a guaranteed repeat! Please enjoy it!!

 Click here for Talking Heads related works!

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