Why Do We Need All The Brass Bands?

A double programme of Forman’s documentary beginnings: «Part 1, Why Do We Need All The Brass Bands?, jumps between the rehearsals and performances of two rival brass bands and the competitive attraction of a cross country motorcycle race. In part 2, Audition, a crowd of singers rehearse for a show. Although originally intended as two separate contributions, these two parts form an intelligible whole due to their stylistic and thematic similarities. The approach to both is documentary with carefully interposed fictional elements. With this extremely self-confident early work, we can already see the same equal mixture of cleverness and tenderness that can be found in all of Forman’s early films.» (Bob Baker, Time Out Film Guide) (Zurich Film Festival)