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Breathtaking portrait of the mime artist Lindsay Kemp based on conversations with Kemp, his mother and his close associates and illustrated with a wide range of footage. Kemp's artistic roots lie in his youth. He was born in 1938, two years after the tragic death of his sister Norma who, at the age of five, was considered to be a genius by her mother. Lindsay replaces his mourned sister, is a daughter for his mother and, at the same time, the man in her life, because Kemp's father is a sailor. Eshetu analyses the complex personality of the young Lindsay. He is influenced by pantomime, theatre, ballet and film (Von Stroheim, 'The red shoes') and the documentary proposes that Kemp can best be himself by impersonating other people. The first part ends with a wonderful scene in which Kemp's fully blossomed artistry is presented. Lindsay's work in all its fascinating facets is then dealt with. Lindsay Kemp is unequalled as a mime artist. Eshetu clearly illustrates this with various video techniques. Vacillating sometimes between keeping his distance from his subject and being completely absorbed by Kemp's warm personality, Eshetu creates just the right amount of tension to carry this production.
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Erik Quint
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Camera: Robert Schaefer, Terry Flaxton, Emmanuele Chiari,
Light: Claude Naville, John Spradberry,
Editing: Pierluigi Caso, Caterina Bonavita,
Music: Joji Hirota,
Sound mixing: Euro Gennari,
Interviewer: David Naughton,
Technical co-ordination: Daniele Caracciolo,
Masks: Moretti, Jankowski,
Executive producer: Massimo Rendo,
With: The Lindsay Kemp Company and others,
Production: Theo Eshetu/White Light, Eve Silvester
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