Product: Space Is the Place [VHS] (1974)
Rating: 3.0
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This may not be the ideal starting place to enter the heliocentric worlds of the late Sun Ra, but, if you've checked him out AND seen him perform, well, you might be more likely to "get" this. Not that it's some art-house film. It's just way-out-weird. Like Sid-&-Marty-Kroft meets Parliament/Funkadelic... Underneath all the great-but-misunderstood space talk is a keen look at race in America. But, don't let THAT heavy statement put you off; being enlightened by this is like learning from SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK, it's valid, but, it's FUN and delightful and wacky... Then again, maybe I'm just a sucka for '70's cheese... Who knows? Loving this for me was all the more easy for having encountered several Arkestra members in full regalia, shopping at the local supermarket while they were in town. They're the real deal..