By Liz Lopez
Rating: B+
Valencian filmmaker Javier Polo wrote the screenplay together with Sixto Xavier García about a sound engineer who always wears black and loves to record all different types of sounds in the environment on his time off from work. Coincidently, he begins to feel as if he is surrounded by pink flamingos, catching glimpses on buildings, along the beach or in freshwater, sensing a need to research what is the appeal of the pink bird to so many. This comedy documentary was an official selection in the Global category at the 2020 SXSW Film Festival and among other festivals, it opened the 35th Mostra de València this past October. The film features Rigo Pex, a musician and DJ also known as Meneo, in the lead character who journeys around Spain and then travels to the USA, starting in Miami and then California to interview people of interest and record their theories about the bird and what it means to them and others. Rigo Pex does a great job as he starts off as a very eccentric character and slowly transforms himself as he learns from the people he meets. Rigo’s wardrobe will never be the same.
Among some of the interesting people ready to talk about the flamingos is the Spaniard actor and director Eduardo Casanova, very handsome and dressed completely in his pink suit and boots. The interview seems to change when Eduardo starts to analyze Rigo and his decision to wear all black, all the time.
When Rigo makes his way interviewing people in Florida, it is not long before we meet the late Allee Willis who passed away in December 2019. It is very evident that the artist and songwriter is having a grand time talking about her life and what she makes of the flamingos and kitsch. Willis is well known for co-writing the Earth, Wind & Fire songs, “September” and “Boogie Wonderland.” She also wrote songs for the Pointer Sisters and Patti LaBelle, and more. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018.
Why stop there when the opportunity to interview cult filmmaker John Waters is an option? Famous for many films, including Pink Flamingos (1972), Waters appears to be more than happy to discuss his youth and career that led to the 1972 film, as well many other tidbits he shares!
The film also features internet sensation Pink Lady and pop band Kero Kero Bonito. I dig all the music in this film too.
It is now available on VOD & all digital platforms this month. For more information, read more on https://www.facebook.com/mysteryflamingo/
Source: 1091 Pictures