MovieChat Forums > The Nomi Song (2005) Discussion > Too Much Information

Too Much Information

posted 19 years ago by qweenkelli
9 replies | jump to latest

I grew up listening to and loving Klaus Nomi immensely. I never would have guessed that someone was actually making a documentary about him so when I came across The Nomi Song during a random browse, I was shocked. I ordered it and had it delivered ASAP!

I had a totally different image of him for so many years. I first saw him in URGH! A Music War in the mid-80s or so. So, I had this band, with a couple of dancers and a strange, almost non-human singer in my mind all this time. Of course I read that he did shows around New York and was into the "art scene" so I figured he was part of that new wave movement that spilled over from Studio 54 or what not. Keep in mind I'm a girl from Wisconsin and have never been to New York, and wasn't really into the whole "glam" thing.

After seeing this captivating doc, my image of Klaus changed so much. Seeing him as a man and having his personal business laid out really stole some of the magic away from him. I knew how he had died, and had heard that he died sad and alone, but it wasn't until I heard his friends talking about how they wouldn't see him in the hospital, that I really felt saddened. Listening to his music now is so much more depressing.

I'm thrilled that the movie was made, and I was able to gain some insight into the life of someone whom I've adored for many years, but at the same time, wish I wouldn't have seen it and could have kept my happy little image of Klaus Nomi forever. Anyone else feel the same?

~Unscarred by trials...

[–] supersoup 19 years ago

well, he is just human.

OH MY GOD, did i just say that!?! what's wrong with me!?

"Will they know me, Nomi, know me now"
www.thenomisong.com

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] Hoohawnaynay 18 years ago

It is a fascinating documentary. But it is like when you experience something as a child then go back and revisit the same thing whether it is a place or a movie or an experience and you think, why was I so mesmerized? Maybe because as adults we are more jaded or we have just grown up? Who knows...but real life is sometimes harsh and maybe some things are better off left in our memory.

[–] dancetildawn 18 years ago

I actually thought there wasn't enough information! The film did a perfect job presenting his music, stage performances, and artisitc vision, but I felt it really skipped over his personal life. Maybe that was intentional, in keeping with his enigmatic persona, but when watching the interview footage, you see this glimpse of a real human being, so you knew he had this other side to him, but it was never really expounded upon. After watching the film I wonder why, for instance, did he feel so alone and unhappy and why was he unable to form romantic relationships?

[–] ahorn-1 18 years ago

I'm afraid that was something I wasn't really able to get from any of the people I interviewed - and that includes people who weren't in the film as well. I think there is certainly room for conjecture but I chose not to do that, rather - as you putit - to present Klaus as he presented himself to others. I don't say this is the only way to do something like this, but I felt in this case it was appropriate. He spent so much effort on the mask, I felt I wanted to give the mask it's due as an important aspect of himself. Don't forget, if we didn't know him as an artist and performer, we wouldn't even be interested in his personal life. If you now feel like you want to know him better, and want more, I feel like I did my job. I think part of his appeal is this distance that he created which I think is part of what draws one in. That being said, I think there are certainly clues in there that one can pick up on if you think about it. It reminds me of a poster that was made for a show of pictues of, and inspired by, Klaus where they took a very well known photo of him and whited out the face. Next to the gallery where this was exhibited, they had filled the wall with these posters to promote the show and various passersby had drawn in the white areas. So there were all these pictures of Klaus and they all had different things drawn in as faces.(I wish I had taken a picture of it!) I asked the artists about that and they said it wasn't intended, it just happened. I think for me that says it all.

[–] UncleBonk 17 years ago

I used to be terrified of Large Marge from Peewee's Big Adventure. Despite it being one of my favorite films from my childhood, I'd leave the room for several minutes before her scene and my parents' would tell me when it was over so I could continue the film. When I was 19 or 20, I watched the film again and saw that this horrific woman I was so frightened of was really quite funny. I was really sad after that, because I wished I'd never seen it so I'd always have her as a paragon of horror.

Ruining these modicums of childhood would be defined by most as "growing up". It kinda sucks.

Throw It In A Pot, Add Some Broth, A Potato. Baby, You’ve Got A Stew Going!

[–] alienature 17 years ago

Large Marge is still very scary.

[–] afamie81 17 years ago

I didn't know anything about Klaus until I saw "Showdown at Cremation Creek", an episode of the Venture Brothers that broadcasts on Adult Swim. He was a character (playing himself) along with David Bowie and Iggy Pop, kinda interesting seeing him as a cartoon, I wonder what he would think about that now? I bet he would dig it. Anyway, I was curious about him so I looked him up on line, then listened to some of his music on line and loved it. He is such a fascinating individual, so I bought The Nomi Song to find out more about him. Mind you I just became a fan of Klaus's having discovered him lately, but the documentary was moving to say the least. I still can't make it to the end without tearing up. I had no idea that the end of his life was so sad and lonely. Yes, I totally feel the same.

[–] 17 years ago

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