Lucid News – December 18
Written by Nadine Bachan
Friday, 18 December 2009 06:32
An Italian documentary garners international attention
Lorella Zanardo, a businesswoman from Milan, is turning heads with her exposing (no pun intended) documentary, Il corpo delle donne. Translated as Women Bodies, the 30-minute independent film features insightful commentary on the shames of the oversexed, unrealistic portrayal of women in the Italian media. Using footage and images from a variety of shows currently airing on networks in Italy, Zanardo is appalled that the average viewer doesn’t bat an eye as young models stand scantily clad in the background like ornaments while older women resort to plastic surgery to lift and pull their faces until their features become emotionless. Zanardo is saddened as she asks “Why can't adult women appear with their real faces on television anymore? Why must we be ashamed of showing our real faces? What are we afraid of?"
The entrepreneur-turned-filmmaker has been invited to present her short documentary all over the world since it was released on her website in the summer. To watch the film, visit http://www.ilcorpodelledonne.net/?page_id=89.
Oh woe is he! – Corgan and Lydon talk remorse
The Smashing Pumpkins (a.k.a Billy Corgan and a whole new lineup) are well on their way to completing work on their latest album Teargarden by Kaleidyscope. This hasn’t stopped Corgan from reminiscing sadly on the glory days and perhaps feeling a bit guilty about how things turned out. Corgan recently told journalists that he regretted the original band’s breakup in 2000, plainly calling it “a mistake.” The sentiment ‘DUH’ comes to mind. There you go … and it only took him about a decade to admit it.
Aging frontman John Lydon called out for God’s forgiveness when he revealed his regrets over allowing bassist Sid Vicious to join The Sex Pistols in 1977. Lydon admits that he saw how isolated the teenaged Sid became and how quickly he lost his personality when the band became famous. Sid Vicious and his tumultuous relationship with a young American girl named Nancy Spungen would become his defining contribution to pop culture. Spungen was murdered in 1979 (Sid was not sure if he killed her as he suffered a drug-induced blackout at the time). Soon after, a heroin overdose would claim Sid’s life at the age of 21.
The highs and lows of gaming
The world of music-based video games certainly has its share of troubles and joys. The good news: Following in the digitized footsteps of The Beatles, punk rockers Green Day has agreed to develop their own version of Rock Band. While reactions to this news are mixed, I’m sure the guys are stoked to see their greatest hits played out by themselves on the screen.
And now, some bad news: Activision’s legal troubles with No Doubt have taken an “I’m rubber and you’re glue” turn. The video game developer has now countersued the band for breach of contract, citing that the group has not been promoting the game Band Hero, in which their likeness and three songs are featured. The original litigious move came from the No Doubt camp when the band was upset by the fact that the character of Gwen Stefani could be used to perform songs by other bands even sing in the male voice during gameplay. This all seems to be a matter of the band not having read the fine print in their contract and have probably never played or cared about any version of Guitar Hero. In my books, that’s known as brazen self-promoting.
On a final note:
The Rock Hall of Fame 2010 inductees have been announced. ABBA, Genesis, Jimmy Cliff, The Hollies, and The Stooges (the band led by Iggy Pop, not the comedy trio … just in case you were confused) will be honoured at a ceremony in New York on March 15th. The nominees that did not make the cut were Kiss, LL Cool J, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Better luck next time, boys.
On a festive note:
Happy Holidays everyone! Lucid News will return in the New Year.
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