RAMMSTEIN: PARIS - A CONCERT FILM EXTRAVAGANZA FAILS TO IGNITE Edinburgh Cameo Cinema 23rd March 2017 Words: Ian Sutherland 27th March 2017 Rammstein never do things by halves. Anyone who has seen their stunning, visceral live shows knows that. So of course when they are looking to release a new live DVD they get renowned music video director Jonas Akerlund involved to make it look different and then you launch it by showing it in cinemas worldwide on one day. My local showing was in The Cameo art house cinema in Edinburgh and as the opening credits rolled it felt strange to be watching Rammstein live from a comfy cinema seat even with the traditional beer in hand. The title of the concert film is simply 'Rammstein: Paris' and IT was filmed on the 'Made In Germany' tour IN 2012 over two nights at the 20000 capacity Bercy Arena. Basically this was a greatest hits tour in terms of both the music and the stage effects so all the favourites are there. 'Du Hast', 'Feuer Frei', 'Sonne' etc matched with giant flamethrowers, giant penis cannons and all the rest. Musically the sound is stunning and the film helps outline how behind the walls of pyro and craziness this is a really good band, a very underrated group of musicians. The quality of the camerawork is amazing too with some brilliant shots and looks. I found there was one major problem though: the direction. When they chose Mr Akerlund to direct I knew they wanted something that looked different and there are some very arty and often effective camera angles and combinations used. However I was worried that the Swedish director would feel he had to cut quickly from shot to shot like he does on a four minute pop video and unfortunately that is exactly what he does for the whole gig. This means it's an irritating watch and unforgivably you don't get a proper look at many of the spectacular stunts on the stage. 'Wollt Ihr Das Bett In Flammen Sehen?' is an example, the fabulous part where vocalist Till Lindeman has to stand stock still while a circle of flamethrowers go off around him is never the focus on the screen. There is not one single direct shot to let you see the effect in action properly Watch this video and make up your own mind. For me when you know what a spectacle the show itself is this makes the film a disappointing watch. It was fun to see the film in a cinema with the crowd cheering and applauding in places although I think there was a twenty minute chunk missing from the middle which will no doubt be included in the actual release. As a huge fan of the band though the final result is for me a real let down. If you have never seen Rammstein live and want to know what all the fuss is about, check out 2005s 'Volkerball', a much better representation of their amazing live performance.