Strange Parallel

Strange Parallel
File:Elliott Smith robot hand.jpg Elliott Smith with the "robot hand"
Directed by	Steve Hanft
Written by	Steve Hanft, Jason Mason, Elliott Smith
Produced by	Raub Shapiro
Starring	Elliott Smith, Larry Crane, Marne Lucas, Amber Strom, Gus Van Sant, Sam Coomes, Janet Weiss
Cinematography	Steve Hanft
Edited by	Steve Hanft, Paul Menne
Music by	Elliott Smith
Distributed by	DreamWorks SKG
Release date	October 15, 1998 (1998-10-15)
Running time	30 min
Country	US

Strange Parallel is a documentary short film revolving around the American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. The film was directed by Steve Hanft and released on October 15, 1998, and features interviews with Elliott himself as well as fans, friends and other acquaintances of his.

Background

Strange Parallel includes interviews with Elliott Smith himself, as well as fans, friends and other acquaintances, including Gus Van Sant, Larry Crane and the members of Quasi. The film also includes snippets of Elliott Smith performing, as well as footage of him recording an unreleased song, "Brand New Game". The film sometimes moves out of reality, with acted-out, metaphorical sequences that involve Elliott considering purchasing a mechanical hand (a "robot hand") to improve his music. The film takes place mostly in New York City and Portland, Oregon. The title is a direct quote from an interview of one of Elliott's acquaintances (a bartender) who said he felt a "strange parallel" between himself and Elliott when he met him. The film was used for promotion only and is not available for purchase. Director Steve Hanft says this about the film:

Music featured

All songs written and performed by Elliott Smith, except as noted.

• "Independence Day"
• "Waltz #2 (XO)" (live)
• "Brand New Game" (early version, unreleased)
• "Miss Misery"
• "Waltz #2 (XO)"
• "Waltz #1"
• "Bottle Up and Explode!" (live)
• "Robot Hand Jive" and "In Between Time" (narration music) – written and performed by Dada Munchamonkey (aka Ed Ruscha, Jr.)
• "Isn't It a Pity?" (live) – written by George Harrison
• "Ballad of Big Nothing" (live)
• "Happiness" (live)
• "Waltz #1" (theremin) – performed by Sam Coomes, arranged by Elliott Smith
• "Waltz #2 (XO)" (dub version) – written by Elliott Smith, performed by Future Pigeon
• "Prelude Op3 #2 in C Sharp Minor" (live) – written by Sergei Rachmaninoff, performed by Elliott Smith
• "Coming Up Roses"
• "Oh Well, Okay" (live)
• "Baby Britain"

Cast

Interviewees

• Gus Van Sant (director of Good Will Hunting)
• Chuck (bartender)
• Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss (of Quasi)
• Larry Crane
• Marne Lucas
• Amber Strom
• Harry Kulpoenen

Additional appearances

• Dave England as Devil
• Sasha Fuentes as Robot Hand Salesman
• Ross Harris as Robot Hand Salesman
• James Lee Ellis as Doctor
• Akhigbonde Francis as Doctor
• Amy Metsman as Member of the Board
• William Edwards as chairman of the board
• Sean Croghan as Sgt. Slaughter
• Joanna Bolme as Recording Engineer
• Robin Bauer as Devil Sympathizer
• Laura Nerlove as Devil Sympathizer
• Sonia Manalli as Medical Technician
• Vanessa Reyes as Medical Technician
• Brent Sersen as Member of the Board
• Tracy Van Zandt as Devil Sympathizer

External links

• Strange Parallel at IMDb