Oh My Gawd, It’s AUTOMORPHOSIS!!!

My friend Greg Hamilton has been working with Harrod Blank, son of famed documentary filmmaker Les Blank, in bringing Harrod’s art car documentary entitled AUTOMORPHOSIS to the Clinton Street Theater here in Portland, Oregon. Greg told me it’s an amazing flick and that I had to go see it, so I did because I listen to Greg.

Oh my Gawd, what a show. Honestly, I was a bit reticent in a certain way. I’m a bit burned out on documentaries these days. I’ve seen too many docs, mediocre or worse, on amazing subjects. Been disappointed too many times. What’s worse is that there seems to be a very specific standardized formula that most docs espouse. The ones that find distribution, anyway. As you may well know, I am not a very huge fan of standardization. That’s why I made a documentary about myself called I AM UGLY AND I WANT TO DIE SO WHY DON’T YOU JUST PLEASE FUCK ME.

Like I said, I went because Greg recommended it and he worked hard in putting the show together. But I also went because I love the documentary films of Les Blank. I figured the apple couldn’t fall too far from the tree, and, damn it, I was right on the money. The flick was amazing and I totally fell in love with it. It’s got soul and a style that meaningfully suits the subject matter. It’s got respect and love. No bullshit postmodern irony whatsoever, but complete sincerity. I found myself on the verge of tears a couple of times. It was beautiful. The movie gave me hope in general, and, specifically, hope for the art of the documentary.

Sometimes I get annoyed when filmmakers get up on the stage to talk, but Harrod Blank had my complete focus. He was disarming and relaxed. Totally unpretentious. He talked about his mother dying of cancer and wondering when he was going to grow up and get serious, and that definitely struck a chord in me. The movie seemed to be a direct extension of himself. I really enjoyed talking with him after the show, as you can see below. There’s a documentary about him called OH MY GOD! IT’S HARROD BLANK! which I have to see. I can’t recommend his work enough.

Harrod, Bob. Thanks to Greg for taking the shot.