This is a straightforward documentary about one of my favorite musical genres, RIO (short for Rock In Opposition, in case you did not know) - which, as the film points out, is a fairly sticky and undefined group of musical acts. Really RIO is/was a branch of avant-progressive music, based on a series of festivals that were first organized by Chris Cutler in Europe and Britain in the late 1970s. The style melds together elements of classical, rock, jazz, and folk traditions. The label has hung around, and was later applied to other groups, like Colorado's Thinking Plague, who were not even aware of the existence of Rock In Opposition.
There are interviews with several of the key figures, and tribute is paid to Christian Vander and his band Magma who, along with Henry Cow, were the originators of the RIO sound. Imo you could probably give Frank Zappa some credit for that too. We see some live concert videos, and get a look at the faces and personalities behind original RIO groups like Univers Zero, Present, Samla Mammas Manna, and Etron Fou Leloublan, but also more recent bands like Aranis and Yugen. There are a few gaps, e.g. It appears that Fred Frith was unavailable for an interview, and the amazing Lars Hollmer sadly passed away in 2008.
Long live Rock In Opposition! I was happy to see that there have been RIO festivals taking place as recently as 2017 in France. It probably always will have a limited audience, sorry to say, but it is an audience that really appreciates what these musicians have to offer.
There are interviews with several of the key figures, and tribute is paid to Christian Vander and his band Magma who, along with Henry Cow, were the originators of the RIO sound. Imo you could probably give Frank Zappa some credit for that too. We see some live concert videos, and get a look at the faces and personalities behind original RIO groups like Univers Zero, Present, Samla Mammas Manna, and Etron Fou Leloublan, but also more recent bands like Aranis and Yugen. There are a few gaps, e.g. It appears that Fred Frith was unavailable for an interview, and the amazing Lars Hollmer sadly passed away in 2008.
Long live Rock In Opposition! I was happy to see that there have been RIO festivals taking place as recently as 2017 in France. It probably always will have a limited audience, sorry to say, but it is an audience that really appreciates what these musicians have to offer.
