I went to see the most obscure (concert) movie, Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic. First of all, I have never been to Anthology Film Archives and I have no idea why. Its an NYC cultural institution. Secondly, this film brought back a flood of childhood memories of growing up in Texas in the 70's. It ocurred to me during the film that my parents were in their late 20s/early 30s during this time period. It felt very strange to sit in a dark theater in New York City watching this familiar time period unfold.
My parents used to take me, my brothers and cousins to the honky tonks and when it was bedtime, they'd put us down on a blanket in the corner, covering the sawdust floor. And we'd sleep. Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Charlie Pride or the local band blaring through the speakers. One parent would stay at a table near the blanket and the rest would be drinking, dancing, smoking --- honky tonkin' as they call it. (Note to all hypersensitive parents who think their child's enviroment must be endlessly controlled, I'm proud to say we all turned out normal.)
The nostalgia was so intense I felt if someone had opened a door and told me I could walk right back into that time period, I would've and it would've felt completely comfortable. My cousins, my aunt and uncle, my Oma and Opa, watching The Dukes of Hazzard, playing Nerf football with my cousin in the street....
It made me realize how (s)crappy everyone looked when "country was cool" but also what a musical genius Willie Nelson is. His career has gone on forever. Seeing him so young, back in the 70s, was fascinating. He's the same old musical icon, he just looks like my grandad now.