For the uninitiated, The Residents were best known as an art collective who used music and video to express themselves. They formed in 1965, and have been continuously putting stuff out since then. Having created content for every possible format you can think of, and having released over sixty albums, they’re the biggest band no one knows. If you were an MTV devotee in the ’80s, then at some point you most certainly have seen them. Their One-Minute Movies were in constant rotation during that period. Most people recognize them for wearing eyeball masks and top hats. Their identities have always been secret, and rumors have floated around as to who they might be. Everyone from George Harrison of The Beatles and Les Claypool of Primus have been suspected of being members of the group. They had their own management team know as The Cryptic Corporation, and it’s been speculated their members were actually in the group. Whatever or whoever they may be, a documentary called Theory of Obscurity: A Film About The Residents has been released by Film Movement. Directed by Don Hardy, it’s an inside look at not who they are but what they stood for.
Basically what the Theory of Obscurity meant to The Residents was that they wanted to be able to be free of celebrity status and to create their art anonymously, and not be judged by who they were. It’s a concept I can personally get behind, and the documentary never tries to expose them. The film is filled with people talking about them, friends, super fans, as well as celebrities like Penn Jillette, Les Claypool, and The Simpsons creator Matt Groenig. What’s great about Theory of Obscurity is that it offers up some great background, and perhaps even some subtle hints, as to who they might really be. While their real identities are never revealed, if you do a little research, it appears that Homer Flynn and Hardy Fox were the founders and primary songwriters. They both appeared in the film though, sadly, Hardy Fox passed away in 2018 after a battle with brain cancer.
Theory of Obscurity does a fantastic job of showing the various facets of their art and music, and crams quite a bit into the ninety-minute runtime. The disc is also packed with exclusive bonus features, like their first ever live performance, outtakes from their legendary unfinished underground film Vileness Fats, a collection of short films including the One Minute Movies, extended interviews from the film, and loads more.
I can’t say I have been a huge fan, but I’ve been very aware of the group and have even gone through phases of being obsessed with a particular video or a CD-ROM experience they released. I have always admired them for what they have done. They’re so insanely unique, and I can’t recommend this documentary enough. You don’t have to be a longtime fan to enjoy it, but I will say that if you don’t have an open mind, then perhaps don’t bother. There’s nothing mainstream about The Residents and Theory of Obscurity makes sure you know that.
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