2017
《北韓搖滾解放日》是由挪威籍導演莫頓・托拉維克以及拉脫維亞籍導演烏吉斯瓦勒特所拍攝的紀錄片，講述斯洛維尼亞工業搖滾樂團萊巴赫（Laibach）在導演莫頓引薦下，獲邀至北韓脫離日本殖民統治七十週年「解放日」演出。
Film is one of the fastest ways to get to know a country. In just an hour or so, a movie can take you through its streets, speak its language, and tell its stories from the inside out. Don’t worry—we’re not here to dive into complex geopolitical debates. In this film program, you’ll meet a wild rock band raising chaos in North Korea, a group of Danish men who really love to drink, and witness the everyday madness of the Russian “warrior people” through dashcam footage. These films don’t aim to explain entire nations. Instead, they focus on the little things—the strange, funny, messy bits of daily life. And isn’t it exactly these small moments that, together, make up the kaleidoscope of a country?
Music and sound may seem fleeting, yet they leave lasting impressions in the hearts of listeners—sometimes even becoming songs passed down through time. Beyond sensory pleasure, the act of creating sound often carries a message shaped by a specific social context. Whether it is to resist mediocrity or to resonate with the land of daily life, sound conveys cultural memory and helps bring individuals together.
Rock isn’t just a genre—it’s a culture, a way of life. Some may seem bizarre or outrageous, but they’re actually artistic geniuses. Some pioneered new sounds that shaped generations. Some wielded the pen like a sword, turning rock into a cultural force. Some stood tall against oppressive regimes, refusing to unclench their fists. Giloo presents 11 essential rock documentaries. So if anyone ever asks you what rock is, just tell them: watch these films. Don’t ask me what rock means—feel it.
Music and sound may seem fleeting—gone in an instant—yet they leave lasting impressions in the hearts of listeners, echoing across time. Sound-making is more than sensory pleasure; at its root, it often carries a message shaped by a specific social context. Whether to resist monotony or to resonate with the land of everyday life, it becomes a vessel of cultural memory and a force that gathers people—bringing individuals closer to one another through shared rhythms and meaning.
Drawing from Nietzsche’s concept of the “untimely” (Unzeitgemäß), Giorgio Agamben reinterprets the question of the contemporary. For Nietzsche, to be contemporary is to place oneself in a state of rupture and disintegration: “Those who truly belong to their time are those who neither conform to its demands nor adapt to its rhythms. Precisely through this misalignment, they perceive and grasp their era more acutely than anyone else.” Visionary artists often belong to this untimely realm. From the tragic brilliance of fashion icon Alexander McQueen, to Chinese photographer Ren Hang’s raw, poetic gaze; from the transcendent cinema of Andrei Tarkovsky, to the solitary grandeur of Austrian writer Peter Handke, and the provocative anti-totalitarian performance of Laibach—these creators exist where genius borders on madness. Watch how they spark moments of radiance within the mundanity of flesh—the fleeting glow of existence.
After an eight-year hiatus, Echo is back, continuing to praise the essence of life with their beloved rock music. Yet, behind the music, each member has undergone different life experiences. Through this film selection, we aim to offer a deeper understanding of the unique Echo Band. Literature, North Korea, and Ryuichi Sakamoto are all keywords that each band member has embraced. Through these visual records, you'll also get a glimpse into the members' private film preferences.
While watching a film, you’ve surely thought—if only I were there. Whether it’s the breathtaking landscapes or the long, winding paths walked by the characters, something pulls you in. John Berger once asked, “Did you come by photograph or by train? Every photograph is a means of transportation.” Let these documentaries be letters from afar— delicate invitations to places you’ve never imagined, and journeys you’ve never taken.