All My Friends Are Funeral Singers is a mood-appropriate title for this folksy, low-key, surreal story of a woman and her inherited ghost family. It takes one out of time; there's very little that dates this film to 2010, short of one character's cell phone ring. Besides that this film exists purely in its own world and time-frame, much like the main character Zel herself, whose independence makes her immediately relatable. Her love for the ghosts feels as natural as anything, as if there were nothing supernatural about it. And in many senses that's the approach whole movie seemed to take, taking the charms and superstitions of a dead magick and putting them in a down-to-earth context.
The ghosts themselves keep the film quite entertaining, either through beautiful creative music from the wonderful Califone playing themselves as dead blind men, or through very amusing unpredictable anecdotes and dialog ("I hung myself with my something blue
" says the one in the wedding dress). Even the silent Nyla burned as a radiant core for the film's dreamlike heart.
The mood is half this film, and so it won't be for everyone. Sometimes the shifting images and cacophonous soundscapes can be chaotic, but never in an abrasive or confrontational way. Everything about this film is inviting. Easily put, it's a 'good vibe'. And there is very creative use of imagery and especially props and set design. I can imagine upon repeated viewings, there's always going to be some strange new novel item spotted in Zel's house so full of these uncommon trinkets. There's much to explore in its authentic-feeling space. All these elements and more craft this mood that is like a wonderful dream that you want to tell everyone about but can't find the words to explain.
There's also something quite moving about this film. As one might imagine for those like me who were aware of Califone first, its has that warming but sometimes bittersweet emotion that Califone's music often has.
Despite using motifs of superstition, this film also dispels them in a very subtle way. The final moment brings it all together, and I will admit that I applauded when it was done.
I recommend it for lovers of mood films, and its worth watching with loved ones, as you might find yourself appreciating them very much at the films completion.
