Air Guitar Nation

Air Guitar Nation

****

Reviewed by: Keith Hennessey Brown

You may not believe it but air guitar has a serious purpose. According to one of the founders of the World Championships, held annually in Finland since the late 1990s, it is all about world peace, in that the hands that are occupied playing that imaginary axe are also not holding a real weapon.

But then, when a documentary is as entertaining as Air Guitar Nation, you have to ask if you really need it to have redeeming social value or to advance the art form in any way. And, to be honest, the answer has to be no.

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At the heart of the film, providing it with two strong central protagonists and a solid narrative line, are New Yorkers David Jung AKA C-Diddy and David Crane AKA Bjorn Turoque [sic] - a Korean-American actor whose career choice surprised his traditionally aspirational immigrant parents who had hoped for a doctor or lawyer son, and an ordinary Joe who wants desperately to be the best at something - anything.

C-Diddy wins the East Coast heat, but the dogged Turoque won't quit and so also heads out to Los Angeles for the West Coast heat and USA grand final. C-Diddy wins this and the right to represent his country on the world stage, while Turoque again refuses to accept defeat and scrapes up the money to travel to Finland for a third rematch and the chance to compete against the world's best...

Reviewed on: 07 Sep 2006
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A documentary about the air guitar craze in America.
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Director: Alexandra Lipsitz

Starring: Dan Crane, David S. Jung, Zac Munro, Peter Cilella, Adam Crystal, Nina Gordon, Gordon Hintz, Gavin McInnes, Angela Shelton, Mark Teich

Year: 2006

Runtime: 78 minutes

BBFC: 15 - Age Restricted

Country: US

Festivals:

EIFF 2006

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