I’m in the minority but I loved the Czech presentation. First, check out the soundtrack:
Sing, Sing with the Swing – Benny Goodman Orchestra
Song of India – Ondrei Havelka Orchestra
Rhapsody in Blue – Chicago Symphony
In the Mood – Glen Miller Orchestra
The Pink Panther Theme – Henri Mancini
Conspiracy Theory – Carter Barwell
I Got Life – Edmundo Ross Orchestra
Old Fashioned (Beguine) – Xavier Cugat Orchestra
Going Up River – Chris Barber Band
Second Line Saints – Chris Barber Band
It’s all champagne and ballrooms and Roaring 20s and everything that’s ever been glamorous and I loved it. The light show was perfect – all shimmery sparkles and sweeping chandeliers of cascading effervescence. Damn straight. I was reminded of all the fabulous song & dance routines from classic movies. But the show was robbed by contrary winds, blowing most of the smoke right back on the beach, occluding our brilliant camera angle on the roof. Figures. Just when I get the awesome tripod and perfectly dialed focus and the planets are in alignment. Meh. Still, I loved the show.
I suspect the Czech contingent was working from a smaller budget than Italy & China but they mastered their theme in a way I don’t think the other two quite matched (though it must be said that China nailed the stylistic atmosphere of Hero (Ying Xiong for you purists).
But the damn smoke really cost them. And playing the third night of four. That never helps. Anyway, a few samples:
You can see right off that they were very conscious of layering, colour & effects.
Already the smoke is a problem, but look at that pinwheel.
Pretty sure the neon palm tree was an accident but I like it. Maybe Miami Vice will buy it from me.
Like one of those static electricity balls but curvy.
This might be my fave of the festival if it weren’t for the damn smoke. Damn smoke. But gorgeous. I don’t even have the words… like an explodey flower. See?
Positively galactic. No – no – a champagne supernova! hey? Hey?
More palm tree-ness. Or maybe like a fiery Japanese Maple.
Beautiful layering.
The Big Wha-hoo. Damn smoke.
So I think the votes at the HSBC Celebration of Light polls reflect the damage the smoke did to the show. But maybe I’m just sentimental and I give too much weight to the music selection.
Tonight: Mexico, and then the six minute Grande Finale. Wonder how that will compare? What I want to know is how they justify announcing the winner only sixty seconds after Mexco’s show. Kinda makes you wonder what our votes count for at the poll. But then, I’m sure millions of Americans wonder the same thing all the time.
Hey… in one week I’ll be married. Fun, huh?
verifanci!