The more videos that are added to Sigur Rós‘ Valtari Mystery Film Experiment, their on-going collaboration with filmmakers and artists, the deeper our appreciation for the esoteric Icelandic wailers.  The project got off to a rocky start with a short film that featured Shia LaBoeuf full-frontal naked, which was met with much derision, particularly as Shia isn’t exactly a show-er.  However, we give Sigur Rós credit for instantly drawing attention like lightning to the project.

As Bob Fosse knew, shooting dance isn’t just about dynamic camera angles and lens flares, although he certainly had a knack for both.  It’s about using editing to boost performance to an emotional level that different from, yet on a par with watching it live.

There is no better example that the fine art of the Great Intercut that this new Valtari segment, directed by Christian Larson in collaboration with Antwerp-born choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.   It is so seamlessly blended that there are moments when it seems the image is playing the music.  Lovely:

Sigur Rós: Valtari on Nowness.com.

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