With Danielson: a Family Movie (or, Make a Joyful Noise HERE) , director JL Aronson takes a break from his previous documentaries about underground karaoke and pigeon breeders (respectively, not collectively) to look at Daniel Smith's life and the transitions made to keep the creative spirit alive. In it's own way, this is a documentary that makes an interesting companion piece to the Academy Award nominated film Jesus Camp, insofar as both were released in the same year (2006), both use a radio interview as a recurring frame of reference, and both deal with expressive passions manifested by those profoundly moved by their Christian faith. They are also on opposite sides of the spectrum: Jesus Camp deals with the evangelical brainwashing of children with devout followers acting as if they are at war, whereas Danielson: a Family Movie shows a healthy and loving family that gave their children plenty of freedom, encouraged creativity in all its new forms, and the fruits of their labor are well represented by the earnest and artistic labors of their son, Daniel.
As Daniel's siblings go to school or get pregnant the Danielson Famile gets some down-time while Daniel releases albums under other monikers (ie: Tri-Danielson and Br. Danielson which finds Daniel performing from within "a nine-foot tall, hand-made nine-fruit tree to 'bear the good fruit'"). During the several years that the film is being shot, another unexpected drama unfolds when one of Daniel's friends, and a fellow-musician, Sufjan Stevens, finds himself being catapulted from obscurity and into a critical success. As this dovetails with footage of Daniels watching Salesman the 1968 Maysles brother's gripping documentary about door-to-door Bible sellers who burn-out as they try to sell their expensive editions to poor Catholics one can't help but feel that third act is poised for the classic VH1 Behind the Music final-reel melt-down, but no: Daniels simply keeps plugging away at things, being true to his own artistic vision. In 2006 Daniel released his album Ships, a collaboration with family and friends that includes Deerhoof, Sufjan Stevens, Why?, and several other artists. Later that year he toured Europe and shared a stage with various performers including Wovenhand and Sonic Youth.
Danielson: a Family Movie was shot on miniDV and DVcam and also uses 16mm, Super8, and animation. It includes cameos by Rick Moody, Steve Albini, Daniel Johnston, and David Garland. The dvd is available via Home Vision Entertainment and extras includes an original trailer, "A Primer for the Curious," "the (church) basement tapes/more Woodbury, NJ," "talking to strangers/more 'fan-terviews,' "more fun with Lenny and Marian," "All Tomorrow's Parties deleted scenes," "European deleted scenes," and "Kramer's corner" (a long message left on the director's answering machine by the influential producer and musician that helped Daniel get a leg up in the industry).
For more information about Danielson: a Family Movie, visit Image Entertainment. To order Danielson: a Family Movie, go to TC M Shopping.
by Pablo Kjolseth
