The Moth escaped its usual cramped quarters at The Players and performed at the Museum of Modern Art tonight.
Part of MOMA’s Doc Fortnight, The Moth’s storytellers spoke about their documentary filmmaking experience.
Tony Hendra, former National Lampoon contributor and The Moth board member, told his story about playing manager Ian Faith in This is Spinal Tap, a movie without a script. Hendra had never acted in a movie nor had he improvised before.
Hendra said an unnamed old friend of his was making a film about a rock band in documentary style. I assumed he was talking about Rob Reiner. Gene realized Hendra was probably talking about Christopher Guest, a friend from National Lampoon’s first stage show, Lemmings. Hendra also gave John Belushi his first major break in Lemmings.
With his friend Belushi dead, his marriage in ruins and his recent self-funded book a financial disaster, Hendra attempted a half-hearted suicide the night before filming began. Spinal Tap gave him a new sense of purpose.
Hendra, the highlight of the evening, told the lone funny tale, his story sandwiched between four heavy stories of noble filmmaking. Unfortunately, the remaining stories all felt too similar and that weakened the overall quality of the show.
Everyone Else
The Moth shows usually have a broad themes, like love or manhood. Broader-themed evenings result in a variety of story types. Tonight’s show needed a greater range between funny and poignant. We got four heavy tales and even Hendra could not relieve the weight.
Of the four women filmmakers, Ellie Lee was the best. She had the heart of the audience when she described how 1,000 drawings–the essence of her animated film–flew out of a car trunk and scattered on a rain-drenched highway.
Gini Reticker talked of the making of her short film Asylum and her relationship with the film’s subject, a young Ghanian woman who eventually came to live with Reticker and her family. Hijinks ensue.
Jehane Noujaim created a documentary about the Arab news nework, Al Jazeera with little support except from various credit card companies. Her story meandered before the point came into focus.
Andy Borowitz, back as host, played the room beautifully. His banter with violinist Mazz Swift proves he could host a late night talk show. Why is Jimmy Fallon getting one and not him, Gene asks.