"Heaven must've sent us this film."  (STERN)

April 1st 2005

at the

ALTE

PIESEL

rock club

near Fulda

(Germany)

THE PARTY REPORT

The prequel

Once upon a time there was a fair and beautiful prince, making the world happy with his films again and again. One day he was discovered by a poor but meek woman, who swore to praise him and to do everything for the increase of the prince's fame furthermore... Alright, alright. I'll get down to the nitty-gritty.

the idea was born in the end of 2004. showing the wonderful film "Still Crazy" on the big screen, in proper style in a rock'n' roll club, and then pretending on the dancefloor that it's the most common thing to shake a leg to Strange Fruit's tunes. The appropriate club was found very quick. The "Alte Piesel" near Fulda. the club's owner was infected by the STILL CRAZY virus with the first run of the film on DVD.

Publicity was started, under the creative management of 

The BILL NIGHY Experience, January 2005 . In ferocious cold we confused the visitors of the Crosby & Nash (do not mix up with Kirby, Steele & Oakes) concert and later of a  a Genesis coverband with our flyers.

Operation "Still Crazy - The Party" was launched. In the following weeks the citizens between Wiesbaden, Bad Nauheim and the eastern Rhoen mountains could experience this.  (plus thanks to a motorized pals the people in Aachen near the dutch border)

Rampant or civilized announcements by posters, campaigns with handbills - April 1^st was about to come. Town and district of Fulda were informed. The photos show some examples of the announcements as they looked on the day of the event.

Wake up Fulda! STILL CRAZYTime!

The "Alte Piesel" rock club lies in a rural suburbian village, but fulfills all the requirements of a rock club with ease. Though it's not easy to find for strangers to the county. (I'll take this as an apoplogy that Bill Nighy didn't show up though he was invited. ;) )

Though about 80 people showed up. Not bad, when you consider, that the film flopped in German cinemas in 1998 and isat most a sleeper among fans.

Nearly all the seats in the club were occupied, when the lights went down a few minutes after 8pm and organizer Roland (who came up with the idea for this event originally) and club owner Michael entered the stage to welcome the audience. You could feel the anticipation of the ones that already knew the film and the  tension of the "newbies".

the organizers welcome an anticipated audience

Laid-back despite all the cheers -

Bill Nighy as Ray Simms

www.billnighy.net's offical Fruit-o-mobile in rural landscape

8.15 pm

On a  5 meters large screen the "Still Crazy" opening credits appeared. For the first time I saw the film this size, and the special ambience captured me once more, more than it could've ever been on TV. The same was to Roland, though we didn't have to infect anyone with our enthusiasm. Even the "newbies" took especially Bill's awkward character into their hearts immedeately and became uneasy, whenever he appeared on the screen. This phenomenon is already known as the "Love Actually"-phenomenon. Especially in the "Alcoholics" Anonymous Bill's representation of vulnerabilty impressed a lot.

The concert scenes were intense beyond imaginiation this size, and I nearly would've left my seat to romp in front of the screen.

During the closing credits the audience gave enthusiastic ovations.

After a short break the dancefloor was open. The DJ obviously had made his homework and put on "Dirty Town" from the film's soundtrack already as the second song of the evening. Bill's voice easily has the power and the temper to make the crowds go wild, especially in this song. In a well balanced mix of songs (why "Kung Fu Fighting", but not "Christmas Is All Around"???) time and time again Strange Fruit songs were played. The "newbies" danced to those tunes like to the "real" rock classices, and could there be a better proof for the credibility of The Fruits?

After this evening it's hurting even more, Strange Fruit is only a made-up band. The evening was a success, and I hope it wasn't the last of its kind. Thanks anyway to Roland, who came up with this fantastic idea, Michael and the "Alte Piesel" crew, for making it possible and everyone else that helped me with the advertisement.

Ulrike, 12-04-2005

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Oh you dancing things -

jigging with the Fruits