The Folk Singer
Review By Ashlee Elfman

M.A. Littler’s documentary, “The Folksinger” is truly a tale of Men, Music and America, but of course it’s about so much more. As we follow blues/folk singer Jon Konrad a.k.a. Possessed by Paul James on a small tour through Texas to Louisiana, we are shown the strife of the musician (make that any artist) in modern society. Jon Konrad sings from the gut in an uninhibited way that just doesn’t happen these days. This is something he was raised up to do, and seeing his passionate intensity about belting the blues, it’s hard to imagine him working a 9-5.

The audience aren’t flies on the wall. Konrad and the many peers and unlikely sages he runs into on his journey seem acutely aware of our presence. A folk tale is being spun for us, and as much as it’s for show, it’s also meant to cut to the painful quick of reality. Much like one of Herzog’s documentaries, Littler wants to show us something, and he’s not afraid to conjure up the scenarios to make that happen. It’s hard to feel manipulated when you know the characters are speaking from their hearts, and besides, it’s all in the grand folk tradition. Konrad is lanky, tattooed and passionate. He asks sometimes awkward questions to all manner of people that he runs across on his odyssey. Between conversations we see Konrad fidget restlessly, alone on his bed or in front of the bathroom mirror. He knows what his calling his, but how can he make it work? With a child on the way, the pressure is looming large. The unspoken question seems to be whether or not he’ll have to forsake himself for the mundanity of the “real world”. This is every sincere artist with a gift at odds with an uninterested, ungrateful modern world. Make that, modern America. While at a bar, Konrad and his fellow minstrel buddy Scott Biram are joined by a Los Angeles musician dressed to the nines. Konrad and Biram are instantly aggravated by the man’s presence. His mere being symbolizes a corrupt and insincere hipster pop culture that sends Konrad into a fury. It’s hard not to cringe as he asks the Los Angeles musician why he makes music over, and over again in an obsessive interrogation. It is the frustration of someone who has been pushed aside in favor of a prettier package with less substance.

Konrad talks to a Reverend about the hypocrisy of modern day churches. He shoots off guns with his pals while drinking whisky and talks about the twisted state of current American politics. And he explores a dilapidated old house with his friend and discusses how, “…imperfection is more perfect than perfect”, especially in music and art. All of these instances prove to us that these are not oblivious country-folk that happen to play music. These are thoughtful, talented people. Their struggles are heroic and uncompromising. Their thoughts are meaningful. Why has America forsaken its folk tradition? In doing so, it stands to lose gems like Konrad.

M.A .Littler has managed to make a sensitive and insightful film about the plight of the sincere musician in a post-modern America. With its distinct Americana flavor, and its appreciation for salt of the earth people, it can be pretty surprising to find out that Mr. Littler is German. Perhaps it takes an outsider to tell us our own story, and to open our eyes to what makes America so damn special, before we lose it.

Slow Boat Films

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