Product Details

• Actors: Jonas Mekas, Julia Judge, John Spaceley, Tom Walker, Ted Milton
• Directors: Nicolas Humbert, Werner Penzel
• Writers: Nicolas Humbert, Werner Penzel
• Producers: Res Balzli
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0)
• Subtitles: French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Winter & Winter
• DVD Release Date: August 5, 2003
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00008N5QT
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,327 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Step Across the Border - Nicolas Humbert & Werner Penzel" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available.
Genre: Music Video - Jazz
Rating: NR
Release Date: 5-AUG-2003
Media Type: DVD

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For Frith Fans -- Or Not, December 12, 2003

By 

Robert Carlberg (Seattle) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Step Across the Border - Nicolas Humbert & Werner Penzel (DVD)

Frith has always been such a musical chameleon -- fitting into such diverse groups as Henry Cow, Skeleton Crew, Massacre, Looping Home Orchestra and his own Guitar Quartet, to name just a few -- that it's been hard to get a bead on exactly who he is. This film goes a long way toward introducing him to his fans.

It's also likely to make him many new fans, as his quiet genius is evident. Humbert & Penzel's camera work tends to improvise and experiment almost as much as Frith's guitar & violin, with unattached scenes, odd transitions, rough edits and of course the gorgeous, very noir black & white. It's arty without becoming too pretentious, and has some really lovely moments when Fred's onscreen.

I just wish it was in stereo, and about twice as long. You'll want to play the SATB CD right afterwards.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars small world, June 16, 2005

By 

R. Dunlap "dadala" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Step Across the Border - Nicolas Humbert & Werner Penzel (DVD)

where are the Frith fans? well, here's one!

A new online acquaintance in Japan just posted a link to a Japanese site for Japanese experimental/improvisational artists. He specifically suggested we check out Haco. I really enjoyed what I found, and replied to inquire if my firend had ever heard Fred Frith. Then I went back to Haco's site and discovered she had played piano in this film and was on the soundtrack CD!

Ha!

I hadn't listened for a long time. Saw the film years ago, it was wonderful. Also found out from Haco's page that the film was on DVD.

And here I am, ordering it and suggesting you do the same if you have any idea of who Fred Frith is and like him.

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greatest films about music ever made, June 24, 2009

By 

K. Margolis (Denton, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Step Across the Border - Nicolas Humbert & Werner Penzel (DVD)

I first saw this film in 1995 in a squat in Berlin. My friend and I went back and watched it again the next night. Simply put, this is a beautiful movie about art. More specifically, it is a glowing example of what avant-garde improv music is and can be, and what community based around art and performance can become. Gorgeously filmed. Just stunning and recommended for anyone at all who is interested in art and the world, even if you have never even heard of Fred Frith.