“The story I am interested in is about asking what drives a powerful person—what makes them tick? How do they make and then remake themselves? I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be great if—as this piece would be principally composed of clubby dance music—one could experience it in a club setting? Could one bring a ‘story’ and a kind of theater to the disco? Was that possible? If so, wouldn’t that be amazing!” – David Byrne on Here Lies Love
Unlikely but brilliant. Only David Byrne could imagine that the world was in need of a musical biography of Imelda Marcos. Once he brought Here Lies Love to the table, we realize that that’s exactly what the world was in need of. Now, can we have the movie, please? Or at least a stage musical? It would be stunning. Of course there would be one problem that the record didn’t trouble itself with. None of the singers who took part even remotely resemble their subject. Which is fine for the record – it doesn’t matter, they’re just there to sing. But you couldn’t exactly cast the big stage opening number with Florence Welch. Or maybe you could. If Todd Haynes can cast Cate Blanchett as Bob Dylan, there’s no reason Flo can’t play Imelda Marcos in an equally fast and loose biopic.
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