From left: Japan Foundation Director Ben Suzuki and Radio Active Sago’s Lourd De Veyra

Text and photos

By Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

This year, Radio Active Sago, Out of Body Special, Tanglaw and Caliph8 will be providing the soundtrack in the 4^th Silent film fest on Aug 28-29, 2010 at the Shang Rila Cineplex. Entrance is free of charge. Tickets will be distributed by the following sponsor agencies: Instituto Cervantes, Italian Embassy, Japan Foundation and the Goethe Institut.

According to Japan Foundation Director Ben Suzuki, the determining factor for choosing a soundtrack for Japanese silent films has been a strong Asian flavor, “Music that has strong western influence is difficult to synchronize with traditional Japanese films. That’s why previously the ethnic sound of Kalayo was perfect. For a long time I really wanted to get Radio Active Sago Project, my dream has come true now.” He also gave credit to an important partner for the fest, “Thank you to Shang Rila Plaza, we can’t exist without them because Eiga Sai, the Japanese film fest is also held here. A number of events by the Japanese Foundation are also held here in cooperation with them.”

Lourd De Veyra who is vocalist of Radio Active Sago comes from a strong background in TV. He is a host of two hit shows in TV5: “Lupet” and “Sapul” with Erwin Tulfo. His TV experience came when he was recruited for the show “Word of the Lourd” by producer Patrick Paez in ABS CBN. De Veyra said, “I am a very big fan of Japanese film namely Takashi Miike, Akira Kurosawa, Kenji Mizogchi and Nagisa Oshima. That’s why I love Eiga Sai as well. Woody Allen once said, ‘Silent films present the world in a clear way. It uses strikingly clear imagery and without the aid of distracting dialogue. The world is confusing with color.”

According to De Veyra creating a soundtrack is not a simple task, “The challenge to the band is to provide a non literal interpretation of what’s on screen. For example there’s a melancholy close up, we should present another aural texture with a new mood. The film itself has a Chaplinesque mood. There’s a comic dynamo, which we will try to give justice to.” He also thanked Suzuki, “One of the most important things he did was to give us creative liberty. We thank him for that and won’t let him down.”

Kodakara-sodo translates to Kid Commotion not take my picture. When film was used back then Filipinos would say "Kodakan mo nga ko" ( Kodak me or "take my picture"))

“Kodakara Sodo” (Kid commotion) directed by Torajiro Saito in 1935 has a running time of 34 minutes. It’s about a father struggling to make ends meet for his many children in spite of being jobless. This film is a rare example of a silent Japanese slapstick and the most celebrated film by Saito who was famous for his comedies.

Radio Active Sago is an eight-piece ensemble. They play a critically acclaimed mix of spoken word poetry, jazz, punk, soul, afro-latin, metal. The Radioactive Sago Project’s perennially surprising stylistic excursions have earned them a cult following, from critics to art fans, even to discerning rock audiences.