Thurston on Jaimie Leonarder
 

This is an extended trailer for a one hour documentary about the life and multi-layered passions of Sydney counter-culture personality, Jaimie Leonarder. I directed this doco over a six year period trying to cover the vast array of interests and people in Jaimie's world. The film was originally broadcast on SBS-TV in 2003 and tries to capture the essence and humanity of the enigmatic Leonarder and the extraordinary and creative community around him. The film also documents the history of the once notorious and near legendary industrial noise band, "The Mu-Mesons". A band like no other. Comprised mainly of musicians and performers who were manic depressives and schizophrenics, the band existed in various formations over a tumultuous 16 year period. The Mu-Mesons was a project that was inspired by Leonarder's early career in nursing, working as a diversional therapist with the mentally ill and his love of underground music culture and performance. Fans of the band include Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) and Mike Patton (Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, Faith No More) both of whom appear in the film. Along the way we also meet Jaimie's formidable partner and now wife, Aspasia. Jaimie and Aspa (who also go by the professional nom de plumes: Jay Katz and Miss Death) still reside in Sydney. They're still running their club, "The Sounds Of Seduction", still hold screenings of rare and an discarded films and documenatries in their home (aka The Mu-Meson Archives) and host a weekly radio show, "The Naked City" on Sydney radio station, Fbi 94.5. fm every Saturday morning among the many activities and events they initiate and participate week in week out. Check out their website: www.mumesonarchive.com


http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZYXVPfrVdyc