[three-star-rating]Documentary directed by Robert Nazar Arjoyan[/three-star-rating]
This is an oddly straightforward documentary about a beguiling, off-center subject.
When My Sorrow Died pretty much tells you what it’s about in its longer title. It explored an intriguing drag personality who plays a supremely weird electronic instrument and who possesses a colorful history. Perhaps there are no technical bells and whistles the filmmaker could add, really. So, this flick is a pretty artless approach to a person full of art.
Armen Ra sees himself as an outsider, even to other outsiders. He was born into a minority group in Iran just before the Ayatollah took power. He, his mom, and his aunt fled to America. Because of his nationality, his homosexuality, and his sensitive nature, Ra was constantly bullied in school. He dropped out and ran away from home, squatting in New York City. He told people he was a model and a musician.
In fact, he did model for a few smaller projects, including some early work of the famous David LaChapelle.
Almost by accident, Ra started playing the Theremin, a rare electronic instrument that uses the player’s hand positions to create pitch and volume. It sounds a bit like an opera singer deeply distorted through a Vocoder. It’s the sonic representation of 1960s sci-fi films and makes notable appearances on The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” and The Pixies’ “Velouria.”
Ra is self-taught and now relatively famous for this uncommon skill. He has played for Marc Almond, Nick Cave and Drag Race winner Sharon Needles. He often performs in a full suit without shirt or a dark dress with elaborate jewelry; he’s heavily perfumed; he wears drag make-up, his hair slicked into a short Marcel wave – a hairstyle popular in the 1920s. The Theremin invites hand movements to play it, and Ra’s are particularly graceful and theatrical.
Ra dramatically narrates his life story from a bed, adding random religious and spiritual references willy nilly. His set is a rich, magenta and pink Persian boudoir touched with brassy accents. He’s solid with a joke or one liner, often turning directly to the camera for comic effect. Some of his stories are a bit improbable, likely more hyperbole than out-and-out lies. Because Ra is such an engaging storyteller, it’s easy to allow him a bit of overstatement.
Ra’s concert footage also has a thespian nature; he plays both concert halls or smalls spaces. One can tell some of it is a simple stage with colorful side lighting. The Theremin is such an unusual niche instrument that this inexpensive approach isn’t surprising. Ra himself says his talent managers are the same that represent strippers and clowns.
[rating-key]
Sure, the flick itself could’ve been more daring, to match its subject. Also – and the lack of rounded perspective is notable – director Robert Nazar Arjoyan needed to search out some other viewpoints, on the instrument and on the stories Ra tells.
When My Sorrow Died is a basic, bare-bones homage to the unique among us, the people perfecting skills in marginal and unusual art forms. Though it’s not likely to make us want to listen to Theremin 24/7, it showcases Armen Ra, a truly one-of-a-kind personality.
You must be logged in to post a comment.