Madman Yugoslav director EMIR KUSTERICA (UNDERGROUND, BLACK CAT WHITE CAT) makes a documentary about touring w/ the band NO SMOKING ORCHESTRA throughout Europe. Emir actually plays guitar w/ the band, stogie firmly clamped between his teeth, hat perched on his head. This doesn't give a lot of insight on the band or the way they write their music as we see a lot of various concert footage and then brief interviews w/ the 10 or so who make up the band. NSO play this unhinged fusion of rock, jazz, gypsy and dirge funeral music w/ instruments such as guitars, tuba, violin, accordion and sax all swirling in and around each other. Some of the music I liked, some I didn't. Too much sax and too much bad vocals by the lead singer. NSO do have a tremendous amount of energy on stage and the audience seems to love them as they play to large, enthusiastic crowds. Lots and lots of super grainy super 8 which was neat. Worth seeing for doc, music or Kusterica fans (has a couple of funny scenes w/ Emir trying to wrestle shirtless w/ the beefier drummer who is I believe his son).
