New Television Workshop Collection

New Television Workshop Collection Program MaterialsNew Television



Radio Inside

Copyright Date:
1988

Copyright Holder:
Jeffrey Bell

Artist:
Bell, Jeffrey

Extent:
See the record for "New Television, Episode 608 (1990)" for descriptions of videos containing this work.

Background:
Broadcast as Episode 608 of the 1990 season of "New Television."

Scope:
See the record for "New Television, Episode 608 (1990)" for descriptions of videos containing this work.

"A young man finds himself in a love triangle involving his brother and his brother's girlfriend, so he turns to Jesus, by calling him on a pay phone. An experimental narrative, ïRadio Inside' explores the struggle between faith and flesh, where black-and-white imagery is contrasted with the protagonist's own thoughts presented in the form of music from various radio channels, from gospel to rock and roll. Contemporary in its style and preoccupations, ïRadio Inside' expresses a particular kind of faith in the age of popular culture amid considerable religious, sexual, and fraternal conflict, often eliciting humor." -- WGBH press release

Matthew's growing attraction to his brother Michael's girlfriend Natalie is coming to a head during the Easter season. Religious imagery permeates the work. In a formal Easter service, the priest pauses briefly to relay basketball scores. Matthew flashes back to memories of his childhood (attempting to walk on water in the bathtub) and of a river baptism. At one point, the actor who plays Jesus gives a commercial plug for a line of power tools. As Michael's and Natalie's relationship is consummated, the attraction between Matthew and Natalie also comes to a head, although the line between fantasy and reality is not clearly drawn. "Radio Inside," which was written and directed by Jeffrey Bell, is approximately 20 minutes long.

Music includes versions of "Amazing Grace," sung by Robin Miller, Michael Zapanta, and Jonathan Richman; "Gilligan's Island" by the Gilligan's Island Singers; "The Name Game" by Shirley Ellis; "Bells and Chimes" by VisionQuest; "Could Be Worse" by Cryptic Slaughter; "Valse Bleue" by the Merle Evans Circus Band; "Peter Cottontail" by Gene Autry; and "Spem in Alium" by the Tallis Scholars.



Directors:
Bell, Jeffrey
McDonald, William (Director of Photography)
DiMinico (Assistant Director)

Editor:
Bell, Jeffrey

Performers:
Berl, Ennals (Matthew)
Rommelman, Nancy (Natalie)
Fredrickson, Robert (Michael)
Cahill, Michael (Baptizing Preacher)
Erganian, Leslie (Matthew's Mother)
Horne, Brandon (Young Matthew)
Madzounian, Ara (Jesus)
Murphy, Merwin (Church Minister)

Subjects:
Interpersonal relations
Religion


Genre:
Dramas

See Also:
New Television, Episode 608 (1990)


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