Introducing: Reverend Shine Snake Oil Co.

Originally from New York City, Claudius Pratt was inspired to come to Copenhagen in part by the countless number of artists who came here before him. It is to these circumstances that he owes his latest inspiration, a documentary about the once-glorious past of Copenhagen's Art scene.
"My project is based on my journey and the journey of those before me, I am looking at the historical link between America (New York) and Denmark (Copenhagen). From the end of World War II Copenhagen has been a refuge for many who felt they did not fit into the American Dream or were merely smothered by it. Artists of all disciplines have chosen Copenhagen as a field from which to sow there creative seed. Many of those were of African decent and they were the purveyors of culture, captivating audiences with their jazz. Cecil Brown published the book "The Lives and Loves of Mr Jive Ass Nigger" in 1969. It is based on such a man traveling from America to Copenhagen to see if there is “any mother fucker in this despiteful world who ever told himself the truth.” Although his was the art of the con, his story is not unlike many who have landed on these shores. I want to hip people to this not so distant past through the stories of those who lived it, getting their view of this history of cultural transmigration. The film revolves around the infamous bodega Andy's Bar . At one time it was an integral part of the music scene because of it's proximity to the Montmartre Club.
Montmartre was located on St. Regnegade and from 1961 to 1976 it was at the center of the progressive music scene made Legend by the likes of Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Dizzy Gillespie & Sonny Rollins, the list goes on...
Andy's is located just around the corner from where the Montmartre stood. It is where the musicians would go to take breaks. It is also situated near the National Theatre and the world famous harbour of Nyhavn. Attracting sailors, socialites, intellectuals and criminals, Andy's was and still is fertile breading ground for an art form so diverse as jazz.
Through Andy's eye and the memories of her patrons we can get a glimpse at what life and music meant and we will see where it has come to now.
My understanding of Jazz is that at it's best it was the most progressive and honest music of it's time. It was revolutionary & dangerous, inspiring & provocative... it was the music of the counter culture. But now it is safeguarded by so called jazz festivals displayed like a museum piece.
The question is where is that feeling today? Is it still here in Denmark? Or has progressive music gone the route of just another consumer product?"

I'm definitely interested in seeing the final product of this film--especially because there seems to be such a debate among the Expat Community here about Danish Culture. When you come from a place like New York, and you don't know the language, it is really easy to assume that there is no counter-culture here. Also, I think a lot of us tend to be snobs when it comes to Danish culture, thinking it very provincial and out-of-touch. What I've discovered however, is that there is art and creativity all around this city--you just have to open your heart up to it.
What I like about Claudius' approach to this subject is that there seems to be a genuine desire to put this debate on the table: Not simply among Danes, but for every person who through one reason or another, has found themselves here.

I'm out,
the lab