Watch movies via Labia Home Screen*.

Brett Morgen is the visionary director behind Cobain: Montage of Heck, a biographical documentary about the late Nirvana frontman, Kurt Cobain. Inspired by Pink Floyd’s The Wall, it’s been Morgen’s ambition to create similarly eclectic depictions, sanctioned by the Bowie estate for Moonage Daydream. As writer, editor, producer and director, Morgen’s signature is all over this cinematic odyssey, which explores David Bowie’s influential creative genius and musical journey.

What follows is a surreal, shapeshifting documentary and labyrinthine feature-length “music video” assemblage that attempts to capture the essence of the artist. A true creative whose life was given meaning by his perpetual search for deeper meaning through his art, Bowie’s surreal biography reflects his creative energy and ceaseless reinvention. The film tracks his music career, taking a chronological approach, diverging into his art and performance.

From wardrobe and make up to his on the road lifestyle, Moonage Daydream captures snippets of Bowie’s life through introspective interviews, photographs and archive footage. Instead of an interrogation of his biography, this kaleidoscopic music documentary is a spacey exploration, approaching its subject through his varied works. Interview soundbites embroider his philosophical outlook as Morgen gently peels back the layers with flashbacks and flashforwards as if by association.

Live performances are re-invigorated, a rapid fire edit picks up the pace, sound effects add a thematic overlay and fragments of pop culture from across the 20th century contribute to Moonage Daydream’s retro verve and reflect the zeitgeist. Much like Cobain: Montage of Heck, this film goes to some intimate spaces, piecing together a scrapbook of personal history and giving it a psychedelic overlay. Paying homage to the legend of Bowie, the biographical music documentary captures some of his most iconic moments, showing the extent of his influence through the fans themselves.

“We can be heroes…”

Moonage Daydream lives up to its title, pouring from one evocative chapter into the next, transported by Bowie’s quintessential music and countercultural spunk. Morgen’s film isn’t so much a comprehensive chronicle of the artist but rather a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience, designed to capture Bowie’s quintessence. This makes it a whistle stop tour for those unfamiliar with his legacy and a vivid reimagining to die hard fans.

At times overwhelming with its multisensory overload, this expressive music documentary clocks in at over 2 hours, an artwork in and of itself. While it’s not for everyone, those who appreciated Montage of Heck will be better placed to embrace this space oddity of a documentary. As it stands, Moonage Daydream remains captivating and enigmatic, a trippy ode to a rock star and entertainer who lived every moment in a constant state of evolution.

The bottom line: Mesmerising

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Stephen ‘Spling’ Aspeling is 2Oceansvibe’s Resident Film Critic, a “thought leader” (AFDA) and “our generation’s Barry Ronge” (Brothers Streep), who continues to review, write, present, promote and adjudicate film for a host of websites, radio stations, magazines, newspapers, TV shows, festivals and events.

*Watch great cinema online with Labia Home Screen! The Labia Theatre is an iconic independent theatre at 68 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town. They recently celebrated their 70th year and have successfully transitioned to digital projectors. In addition to their 4 cinemas, they’ve now added a “5th” screen by launching their Home Screen pay-per-view video-on-demand streaming service.

Labia Home Screen enables viewers to watch the theatre’s carefully curated content from the comfort of their home from anywhere in South Africa. As they open their box office in what will be a new normal, this convenient streaming service is helping the much-loved cinema continue to provide high quality, award-winning films to their loyal patrons.