Lohan and Daft Punk in “First Point”
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While it’s tricky to pinpoint exactly why there has been an array of left-field moves in the film and music world in 2012, it’s feeling like the risks are paying off. Even if they end up being commercial or critical failures, these small-scale projects keep fresh blood pumping in the artistic realm. Kanye West’s dabbling in short films and the release of Killer Mike’s “Big Beast” mini-film has shown that musicians are trying to step outside of their comfort zone in an attempt to reach a greater audience. Well, here’s a doozy, folks.
This week at Art Basel a new short film called First Point is going to be screened starring none other than Lindsay Lohan. That’s probably not all that shocking, but the subject matter and composer of the score should be. Lohan will portray a world-class surfer in the guise of a blonde bombshell; and while she’s doing this, Thomas Bangalter’s thumping soundtrack will accompany her. Bangalter is from a little band called Daft Punk.
Stranger still is that while Daft Punk usually works with big name filmmakers (Disney), Richard Phillips, though a talented artist, isn’t exactly a household name. The film’s debut will happen this coming week and also features work from some very well known artists in the surf world. Taylor Steele shot a good portion of the film, and his own solo films have more or less changed surfing. Furthermore, Roxy pro and one of the most famed up-and-coming longboarders Kassia Meador doubles as Lohan in the surfing portions.
The trailer is low on plot points (well, closer to none), but it’s beautifully shot and will at least be visually stunning enough to keep you in your seat long enough to finish it. Speaking as someone who surfs and has seen a good number of women rip in the water, Lohan’s look in the film is full of clichés and stereotypes. Phillips has shown what the “ideal” woman surfer would look like in the imagination of non-surfers, but it’s also important to understand that it’s art. Phillips can create whatever he wants, and although Meador is the ideal woman surfer in many surfers’ minds, Phillips has whet my appetite to see his full, finished product. You can check the trailer below.
