Last Chants for a Slow Dance is a 1977 American independent drama film directed by Jon Jost and starring Tom Blair.[1][2] In some quarters Last Chants is now considered an American classic; Jonathan Rosenbaum lists it as one of the "alternative" top 100 American films,[3] and it is listed in the book 1001 Films You Must See Before You Die.
| Last Chants for a Slow Dance | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Jon Jost |
| Written by | Jon Jost |
| Starring | Tom Blair |
| Cinematography | Jon Jost |
| Edited by | Jon Jost |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot edit
The film follows an unemployed cowboy drifter (Tom Blair), estranged from his wife and kids, who drives across Montana in his pickup in a half-hearted attempt to find a job. As the film progresses, it seems that he has little interest in supporting his family, as he spends his time hanging out in bars and having one-night stands. He continues to drive from town to town until he robs and murders another man.
Cast edit
- Tom Blair
- Steve Voorheis
- Jessica St. John
- Wayne Crouse
- Mary Vollmer
- John Jackson
Production edit
According to Jon Jost's recollection,[4] the film was shot in 5 days, costing $3000:
In 1977, having finished up Angel City, .... I decided to make another film, and corresponded with a friend from my years in Kalispell, Tom Blair. He was an actor from South Dakota, and ran the Whitefish Community College Theater Dept. I had never seen him act ..., but instead would hang around drinking beer and smoking dope with him. .... I went up to Montana for a week of recon, lining up some actors, and went back to LA. I wrote a few scenes, and going to Montana a friend, copy writer by profession, Peter Trias went with me. He wrote a bit when we got there. .... I promised them a new film for the [Edinburgh] festival. I went back to Missoula and the actors met with me there. Last Chants was shot in 5 days. I recorded some of the songs in it in Missoula, and returned to LA, to process the film and edit, and record 2 more songs. By mid-August it was done, for a cost of $3000.
Jost wrote, shot, and edited the film—and penned and recorded the country songs heard in the film.[5]
Reception edit
The film premiered on 31 August 1977 in Edinburg International Film Festival.[6] According to Jon Jost, the initial reception was good. "I went to Edinburgh with it and Angel City. It made a nice splash, got press in Sight & Sound, and it seems I was seriously on my way in the far edges of the film biz."[4]
Jost’s first narrative feature remains one of his most important works. Allegedly inspired by the life of Gary Gilmore, the film is a minimalist road movie that dissects macho behavior. Jonathan Rosenbaum calls it “My own favorite among Jon Jost's experimental narratives…Powerful and provocative.”[5]
References edit
- ^ Tom Vick (2009). "New York Times: Last Chants for a Slow Dance". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Baseline & All Movie Guide. Archived from the original on September 28, 2009. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
- ^ "Last Chants for a Slow Dance". Time Out. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
- ^ "Jonathan Rosenbaum's Alternative Top 100 American Films". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
- ^ a b "Last Chants for a Slow Dance". CINEMAELECTRONICA II. 2017-09-05. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
- ^ a b "Last Chants for a Slow Dance | Cinematheque". www.cia.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
- ^ Last Chants for a Slow Dance (1977) - Release info - IMDb, retrieved 2024-03-24
