Music video director Steven Hanft makes his feature debut with the digital video project Southlander, an absurd independent film starring various beloved indie pop musicians. Rory Cochrane stars as Chance, a musician who loses his extremely rare magical synthesizer which takes the form of a white 1969 Moletron keyboard. He looks for it by wandering around a de-glamorised Southern California with pal Rossangeles (co-writer Ross Harris from DJ Me DJ You and Sukia). They sometimes find clues in the local classified newspaper called the Southlander, which leads them to meet interesting folks.Their adventures eventually lead them to the home of former funk legend-turned-tennis player Mother Child (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs from Welcome Back Kotter) and his blonde girlfriend Snowbunny (Meghan Gallagher). Beth Orton stars as Chance's love interest Rocket and the leader of the band Future Pigeon. Beck plays Bek, his younger pre-stardom self, back when he was into drugs and recording music by himself in a shack. Also starring Ione Skye, Hank Williams III, Richard Edson, and Elliot Smith. Southlander was shown at the 2001 South by Southwest Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
Review
The decidedly lo-fi approach to Southlander is what makes this amateurish production watchable. Having previously lent his goofy charm to Beck music videos, director Steven Hanft brings a similar aesthetic and same lack of rules to this project. Mainly, the film is an excuse to showcase the music and personalities of indie rock superstars like Beck and Beth Orton against a backdrop of drab, washed-out Los Angeles. It also seems to be just a fun exercise for Hanft and co-writer Ross Harris to practice making a film. Working from a loose script and meager budget, they come up with some amusing, if disposable, entertainment based on an actual L.A. trading magazine called The Recycler. Character names (Rossangeles, Steely Danzig) are sure to arouse a few giggles from fans, who will probably just get a kick out of seeing their favorite stars in a homemade-looking film. This is the opposite of glossy, overproduced Hollywood to be sure, with a few obviously low-rent camera tricks and '80s nostalgia thrown in for good measure. Jazz fans may also appreciate the presence of late drumming legend Billy Higgins, who performs with an entire band in front of a chroma-keyed set. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
