Tokyo Trooper

The scrum tilly lush

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There’s been a fairly consistent trend in skate videos over the past few years of crisper, clearer footage, shot on better and better digital cameras, as the affordability of advanced technology comes within closer reach of the shallow-pocketed, which is certainly not a bad thing. A far higher grade of skate flicks is potentially possible with the gap between pro and amateur productions now bridged even closer, and the talent, not the budget, of those behind the lens earning the mainstream plaudits.

That said, it’s always nice to see something a little different. And certainly not some for the sake of it token gesture. The Scrum Tilly Lush from Brays Phil Evans is the film you never saw coming, but wonder why it took so long to arrive. It is shot entirely on Super 8, no mean feat, all over Europe and Ireland. It’s more difficult to get the right footage and more expensive to produce. This is clearly a labour of love, cut meticulously, patiently, with an obscure and inspirational soundtrack to match. It’s visually gorgeous, a real treat in sight and sound.

It stands out from the rest, in that it works outside the skateboard genre. Those who’ve never skated Baggot Street on a Friday night, sessioned Bushy Park, gotten a chase off Trinity security, or seen Al Collins in action lose nothing. It’s a gem of a film.

Trailer above, cheap as chips purchase here.

Playhouse — Liberty Hall

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Photo by Kevin Dowling

So Project Playhouse has come to an end. Well fair play to Daft & Trinity Science Gallery for organising & sponsoring this in the first place. SIPTUs ‘Liberty’ Hall has stuck long in the mind as Dublin’s ugliest, least surrounding-environmentally suitable, eye sore of a building, and I for one herald the day they tear it down.

The popularity of the Facebook group, Make Playhouse Permanent (of which I’m a member), makes a good point in grasping public appetite for public visual art such as this in our city. I too hold that it remain, but only until the scheduled demolition of Liberty Hall (which is due to be replaced by a fine, glass structure according to the Irish Times).

Playhouse could feasibly be re-housed, or become a roving beacon of light in the Irish landscape, visiting other deserving structures outside the pale. Daft take note.

More of the same please, Dublin. We approve.

Solas - Máire Mhilis Bhreá