Ile Aiye (The House Of Life) - A Film By David Byrne

Ile Aiye (The House of Life) - A Film by David Byrne

Description

IL AIY is David Byrnes breathtaking 1989 documentary on Candombl, the African-influenced spirit cult of the Bahia region of Brazil.

IL AIY explores the ways in which Candombl has influenced the daily life and culture of the people of Brazil in music, art, religion, theater, food, dance, poetry and more. IL AIY uses experimental film techniques, music, and cultural observation to express the life and rituals of Candombl and the symbolic manifestation of the Orishs, the deities which represent the wide range of natural and spiritual forces. The rhythms of the sacred drums and bells, a dance of spiritual ecstasy, offerings and sacrifices, divination and the visitation of the Orishs through trance are all part of the color and life of Candombl.

Complemented by the original score from David Byrne recorded with Bahian musicians, the music in IL AIY includes ritual music recorded during ceremonies as well as popular Brazilian songs influenced by Candombl.

Amazon.com

With the earthy, yet otherworldly Il Aiy (The House of Life), David Byrne (True Stories) explores the spirit cult of Candombl. Based in the Bahia region of Brazil, the African-originated religion permeates all aspects of the culture. Byrne incorporates music, dance, interviews, and clips from old black-and-white Brazilian movies into his documentary. Narration is kept to a minimum and the visuals do most of the talking--along with the rhythmic, trance-inducing songs, accompanied by translations of their evocative lyrics. As befits a former art student--and Talking Head--Byrne does get a little "arty" at times, as when he places screens within screens (much like Peter Greenaways Pillow Book). Fortunately, the effect isnt as distracting as it sounds and is only used sporadically. Il Aiy is a must for fans of Byrnes groundbreaking Brazil Classics, Vol. 1 compilation, on which Tropicalia legend Caetano Veloso sings the lovely number of the same name. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Rate Points :5.0
Binding :DVD
Label :Plexifilm
Manufacturer :Plexifilm
MPN :MVDDPLX016D
ProductGroup :DVD
Studio :Plexifilm
Publisher :Plexifilm
UPC :082354002022
EAN :0082354002022
Price :$24.98USD
Lowest Price :$7.49USD

Customer ReviewsThen They Had a Party For the Gods and the Gods Came
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :4
To me, Kandomble represents one of the best ways to experience and share religious feeling - a spiritual path where the entire body celebrates through music, rhythm and trance. Clearly, Byrne has been hooked as well.

This DVD represents a collage of images, syncopations, sweaty bodies, images of saints and possessed old ladies, filmed and collated with affection and deep sympathy. At times I thought I glimpsed a sparseness in the spaces between the narrative and the image, a holding back from being swept from holding the camera into the dance frenzy, that sort of reminded me of Werner Herzog. Ile Aiyes narrative is removed out of the ordinary into a place which is neither here nor there. Some might attribute such an approach to lack of concern with craftsmanship, but Byrne pulls it off relatively well. This film makes me want to BE THERE, in Salvador de Bahia, moving together with those bodies that were designed to move and to worship, to celebrate the ecstasy of being filled with the force of life. The words themselves, Oshun, Yemaya, Exu, Xango, Omulu... dance away effortlessly from the tongue...

Well worth seeing.

Let yourself be possessed by the rhythm
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :22
I remember vaguely seeing this film on PBS back in the mid to late 80s when it first came out. Seeing it now, I obviously didnt remember much. This is a great, great documentary. You will learn about the religion of candomble, which is a blend of catholicism and African rituals in Bahia, Brazil. This was a big influence for David Byrne during the "Rei Momo" period(and probably continues to be). The rhythms and dances these people do are nothing short of the DNA of rock and roll. You will also learn more about what makes David Byrne tick. As an example, it suddenly makes perfect sense why he would choose Whitney Houstons "I just wanna dance with somebody" as a cover song in concert. Finally, I dare say, youll learn about life.

Similar Item

David Byrne - Live at Union Chapel

DescriptionRecorded live in Live at Union Chapel captures David Byrne at his most irreverent. Performing 18 songs spanning four decades, Byrne effortlessly weaves lyrically potent compositions and compelling arrangements to create an unforgettable ev

Moro No Brasil

DescriptionMoro no Brasil ("I Live in Brazil") is a musical journey that delves deeply into the heart of Brazil. Experience Brazilian culture and get to know its people with over 50 musical performances from the streets of Brazil, including interview

True Stories

Amazon.comTruly quirky, this mock documentary is part musical, part farce, and completely, oddly innocent. This is a one-man-band job for David Byrne (lead singer of the Talking Heads), who writes, stars, and directs, Its ostensibly about the sesq

Samba On Your Feet (The Documentary)

The Sound of Rio: Brasileirinho

DescriptionThe Sound of Rio Brasileirinho is a 90-minute documentary film about choro, the first fenuinely Brazilian urban music. The film remembers its history but shows, above all, a colorful picture of Choros vitality today.