Zel (Angela Bettis) is a medium, as was her grandmother, who lives in a cluttered old house filled with not only the flotsam of generations, but lots of ghosts. Unfortunately (for me, at least), some of these ghosts are experimental folk musicians whose sounds range from the gentle plucking of a zither to deafening cacophony. The music group Califone, headed by director Tim Rutili, supplied the musical ghosts. Another of the ghosts is a documentary filmmaker who interviews the other ghosts, finding out how they died and what they think of the afterlife. These ghosts don't know much since they're stuck in the house, a limbo station, waiting impatiently to walk into the light.
Zel thinks of them as her family. They even help her in her work, relieving a friend of an evil eye curse that causes headaches, picking winning horses, and just keeping her company. But they want out and tensions are building, and taking a toll of poor Zel.
This dark comedy is a refreshing new take on ghosts, psychics and life after death. The film had an unprofessional look probably caused by 16 mm camera and film or perhaps it was an intentional dream quality. The acting was very good and the characters charming, each in their own way. I even found the brash, almost grating neighbor a welcomed intrusion. And her conversations with her deceased husband through Zel certainly reminded me of home and lacked the formality of typical 'other side' contact.
All My Friends Are Funeral Singers
Director / Writer: Tim Rutili
Cast: Angela Bettis, Emily Candini, Reid Coker, Kevin Ford, Megan Hovde-Wilkins, Karol Kent, George McAuliffe, Michael McGinley, Sierra Magdalena Mitchell, Alan Scalpone, Molly Wage, Wesley Walker, Joe Adamir, Jim Beckner, Ben Massarella, Tim Rutili
Time: 86 min.
Playing at the Mill Valley Film Festival at the Throckmorton on October 16, 7 pm and on October 17, 2 pm
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