The Weird World of Blowfly reviews
Review by on 20 Sep 2010
The image of an elderly man dressed in a sequin superhero costume saying the words “I'm feeling sexy like a pregnant toad” is not something you see everyday. I'm not entirely sure which bit sits more uncomfortably with me: the spectacle of sparkly senior superhero, or my mental image of a sexed up toad. This is just one of the many searching questions I had to ponder as I explored THE WEIRD WORLD OF BLOWFLY.
This documentary follows singer/songwriter Clarence Reid and his deliciously degenerate alter ego ‘Blowfly’. Clarence is 69, proclaims to have invented rap music in 1965, has penned several top 10 hits for other R&B artists and has trouble with his knees. Clarence's stage persona ‘Blowfly’ has a notorious and extensive back catalogue of rude and lewd lyrics, stalks the stage in a mask and cape and is hailed by Chuck D as a major influence.
Stricken with debt and struggling to gain the recognition he believes he deserves, Blowfly and his band embark on a comeback tour playing everywhere from half empty rural bars to half full European stadiums.
As the story unfolds we get to know the person behind the profanity and he is a genuinely intriguing character. Although I found it perhaps difficult to sometimes sympathise with the subject matter of some of his lyrics and opinions, I think I may have finally found a superhero to believe in. I just don't think I'll be able to look at a toad in the same way again.
John Davis
This documentary follows singer/songwriter Clarence Reid and his deliciously degenerate alter ego ‘Blowfly’. Clarence is 69, proclaims to have invented rap music in 1965, has penned several top 10 hits for other R&B artists and has trouble with his knees. Clarence's stage persona ‘Blowfly’ has a notorious and extensive back catalogue of rude and lewd lyrics, stalks the stage in a mask and cape and is hailed by Chuck D as a major influence.
Stricken with debt and struggling to gain the recognition he believes he deserves, Blowfly and his band embark on a comeback tour playing everywhere from half empty rural bars to half full European stadiums.
As the story unfolds we get to know the person behind the profanity and he is a genuinely intriguing character. Although I found it perhaps difficult to sometimes sympathise with the subject matter of some of his lyrics and opinions, I think I may have finally found a superhero to believe in. I just don't think I'll be able to look at a toad in the same way again.
John Davis
Film details
The Weird World of Blowfly
DOCUMENTARIES
Director: Jonathan Furmanski
Actor: Clarence Reid
Actor: Clarence Reid
United States, 2010.
93 mins.
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