Film Works, Vol. 6

by Stacia ProefrockThis volume of the Film Works series contains the scores for three films: Anton, Mailman, which was a short film directed by Dina Waxman that was never completed due to loss of funding in its final stages; Mechanics of the Brain directed by Henry Hills, who had worked with Zorn in the past on his sharply edited, meticulous, and sometimes gruesome films; and The Black Glove, a lesbian noir S&M film that was given a moody, subtle feel by its director and star, Maria Beatty. The three scores differed as much as the films for which they were intended. The tracks for Anton, Mailman are upbeat, swingy tunes that sound like they belong behind singing cowboys. The sections for the Henry Hills film are short, sharp, occasionally atmospheric, and definitely darker. And, perhaps most interestingly, instead of revisiting tired, old dungeon themes, the score for The Black Glove stepped even further into the realm of atmosphere by staying within only three sound reproductions: fire, water, and wind. The result is a soundtrack that evokes fear, discomfort, rest, and creepiness without rehashing the clichés of yore. Overall, these compositions are a fine addition to the Film Works series.