“Rant” is an experimental film that tries to mix the recitation of provocative poetry with a whirl of found footage and flurries of New Age music. The resulting efforts, however, create a headache.
Filmmaker D.J. Kadagian cannot be bothered with the niceties of coherence, let alone synchronizing images to a soundtrack. The result of such carelessness is a mess of confusion and stupidity. “Those Who Don’t Feel Love” by the 13th century poet Jeladduin Rumi is presented against a loop of old-time burlesque cuties performing fan dances. Pablo Neruda’s “We Are Many” is matched with 1950s footage of Coney Island’s amusement rides. The treaty oration given by Chief Seattle in 1854 (which isn’t really a poem, but never mind) allows a lumpy montage of vaguely Natvie American-themed imagery including fast-forwarded cloud formations across the Grand Canyon and footage ripped haphazardly out of the 1920s version of “The Last of the Mohicans.”
The real salt in the wounds comes from the obnoxious recitations by Robert Bly, Coleman Barks, Allen Callaghan, Carlos Alfaro and Deborah Kadagian. They apparently studied elocution with Jon Lovitz’ Master Thespian character from “Saturday Night Live,” hence their habit of emoting every syllable as if the fate of the world depended on their majestic pronunciation.
A companion DVD called “Rave” is also in release. They should be combined into a twin-pack called “Rubbish.” Junk like this gives self-indulgence a bad name.
