- THREE MILES NORTH OF MOLKOM
- Directed by: Corinna McFarlane/ Robert Cannon
Molkom is a town in Sweden. Three miles north of it is a place called Angsbacka, which annually hosts something called the No Mind festival, popular with owners of crystals and scented candles, wearers of sandals and the hangers of dreamcatchers.
In 2007, they were joined by documentary-makers Corinna Villari McFarlane and Robert Cannon. No Mind divides its patrons into randomly selected groups of seven or eight, and we join one of them as they undertake the festival’s activities: yoga, throat singing, sweat lodging, firewalking and, at one point, literally hugging trees.
Much is learnt about the characters, but it really needs a journalistic presence, a Ronson or Theroux asking questions and trying to get these people to explain themselves, rather than just filming them yammering New Age speak. The only voice of sanity is Nick, an affably laconic Australian rugby coach present by accident. Possessed of a well-tuned – and therefore hyperactive – bullshit detector, he provides a wry commentary on No Man’s touchy-feely commune spirit.
ANDREW MUELLER
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