"'UNUM' is an ARTHOUSE film that features 11 short "Music for Movies" classics (watch all below) that have been edited to an original "VyZ" soundtrack. The short films are loosely constructed around the theme of subliminal advertising in film and television prior to the 1960's. The movie features the groundbreaking television broadcast of the 1961 Nixon/JFK debates that changed the course of political history. As anyone knows, there is a fine line between salesmanship and outright deception. By 1965 television and commercial advertisements became the primary communication (and manipulation) tool for world news, wars, business and politics." —John Pritchard, Director

SYNOPSIS

On November 22, 2003, VyZ released their first film: "E PLURIBUS UNUM - Out of Many One." The 86 minute film features a retro-collection of commercial advertisements (from American institutions such as Coca Cola, Chevrolet, and General Mills) that are interspersed between 11 unique (and several definitely antique) American-made short movies and cartoons from the Film Library of the amazing Prelinger Archives (dating between 1906 and 1964).



"E PLURIBUS UNUM - Out of Many One" champions the legacy of John F. Kennedy, which is why it was released on the 40th anniversary of JFK's assassination in 1963. The movie echoes the American spirit of JFK to "Rise Above the Fear" of negative forces in the world and features excerpts from the classic 1961 Kennedy-Nixon Debates. "E PLURIBUS UNUM" also focuses on the origins of industrial and commercial advertising that have shaped the American mind in modern times.



Why was Kennedy such a positive force in such a short period of American history? Why was Nixon so reviled? What makes something so good and something else so evil? Why is peace so illusive? Why is the military so powerful? Why has the USA become so rich from oil, weapons and drugs? Why did John Wayne symbolize the great American way around the world? Why are Native Americans so wise in their ways? Why is our advanced society so out of step with Nature? Why is it so hard to simply connect the meaningful dots in our own life? These are just a few of the questions raised within the context of "E PLURIBUS UNUM."



"E PLURIBUS UNUM" also incorporates amazing computer animations of outer space created by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Institute which provide a timeless foundation for the rich collage of historical imagery and adventurous music.

The music for "E PLURIBUS UNUM" comes from live "VyZ" (improvised) sessions recorded in the spring of 2003 which possess a highly funky, experimental energy. The final film soundtrack breaks new musical ground and indeed evokes a definite visual, cinematic sensibility, drawing from the many musical forms of classical, jazz, rock, funk, and indigenous music. Ranging from the bizarre to the sublime, the music provides a perfect compliment to the incredible montage of images beginning at the turn of the 19th century, through the 1920s, and up into the early 1960's.

The members of the "VyZ - ImproVyZed Music for Movies" band are: Charlie Tokarz on sax, flutes and electronic wind controller effects; Rich Damone on electric bass and guitar effects; John Pritchard on electronic drums and synthesizers; and special guest, Adam Holzman, on a variety of keyboards. The "VyZ" trio have been performing together since the spring of 2003 and sent selected recordings to fellow musician and friend, Adam Holzman, for additional overdubs for the 11 films. Adam is simply one of the best keyboard players alive. He has toured around the world with musical legends such as Miles Davis, Grover Washington, and Wallace Rooney, as well as, composing with his own critically acclaimed band, "Brave New World."