EAT THAT QUESTION: FRANK ZAPPA IN HIS OWN WORDS documentary is unique and eye-opening, one of the best docus I've seen all year. Those of us who are familiar with his legacy would respect him even more from watching this and those of us who may not have heard of Zappa, would see this film, and instantly become his newest fan.
To be honest, I didn't grow up listening to Frank Zappa's music and this documentary reminds me why that is. It's because Zappa's music is an acquired taste, if you will. His music is extremely unconventional, he would arrange complex bands and combine all kinds instruments and and styles and orchestra to perform his composition that more than often would have average listeners scratch their heads. I wonder if his music would have a place in today's short attention span social media/internet generation where everything has to be catchy and instant every single minute.
But I'm a fan of Zappa the person, the artist, who doesn't give flying two-cents whether or not his music can be played on the radio or if it's commercially viable in the ears of records studios that only think of the bottomline.
The title wasn't joking when it said 'In His Own Words,' this docu is as unique as it gets because director Thorsten Schutte completely throws the book out the window and instead of going with the usual talking heads or interviewing loved ones remembering about Zappa, Schutte goes straight to the source. By using archival footage of old interviews with Zappa, his TV appearances, concert recordings, 'EAT THAT QUESTION' brings Zappa to us, as if his timeless words of wisdom have been resurrected once more and it feels all the more impactful hearing it straight from the man himself. This docu doesn't only celebrate Zappa but it also gives him a fresh look. Who knew that the man whose hippie appearance was striking and memorable was actually a family man who believed in anti-drug use. His protest against censorship is probably my most favorite part of this docu, it reminds us that time and time again there will be forces from the narrow-minded right wing who'll try to take our freedom of speech away, so it's important for today's generation to learn from Zappa's legacy and his fight to stay true to his art and ideas.
-- Rama's Screen --
