speed of dark

Borat, on the left. Beirut, on the right.
Don't confuse the two!
My husband and I went to see the Borat movie today, largely on the recommendation of my step-daughter who texted her dad with the message, "Drop everything you're doing and go see this movie." She is smart and hip and generally knows what she's talking about, so we went.

Is it funny? Well, yes. Sometimes in a raw way. For example, a hairy, bare bottom in your face is both sort of funny AND kind of hard to look at. I like my humor a bit more subtle, thanks! In all fairness, it did make me laugh.

In sum:
- I don't think I've said "Oh no!" or looked away so many times during a comedy movie.
- I wonder how many times Sacha Baron Cohen was arrested for indecency and/or assault during the making of this movie.
- Feeling sorry for Pamela Anderson is a brand-new emotion for me. I appreciate movies that make me feel differently about things I thought I was sure of.

The soundtrack is lots of fun, with rollicking east-European, Balkan brass orkestar music, the kind that Zach Condon of Beirut reveres and emulates so well. In the credits, I saw both "Siki Siki Baba" by the Kocani Orkestar (MySpace) and "Ederlezi" roll by. Both are on Beirut's setlist for the current tour, which is winding up in the eastern U.S. this month. I know this from reading Jon's post at Mocking Music. Go there for more great live songs by Beirut. Also visit Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good for some fine pictures of Beirut onstage.

I haven't been able to get my friends, or Indie Mom either, for that matter, interested in Beirut's eclectic revival of simultaneously lively and melancholy Balkan tunes. At least my husband and a lot of other folks like it.

Beirut: Siki Siki Baba (live)
Beirut: Ederlezi (live)

Beirut's website states that a new EP will be available in January. Yay!
Check Beirut's MySpace page for tour information and more news.