The the: The Inertia Variations

This beautiful and moving 84-minute documentary, directed by Johanna St Michaels, is inspired by the poem of the same name by British-born, Los Angeles based poet John Tottenham. It is centered around Johnson's 12 hour live Radio Cineola broadcast, which included live music, poetry and interviews with teachers, healers, environmental activists and political commentators whose voices are frequently silenced. Within the film Matt Johnson examines his troubled relationship with celebrity and the creative process and, through the tragic deaths of his mother and two of his brothers, how bereavement has informed his work and outlook. This film is not a traditional biography of Matt Johnson and THE THE, although it certainly provides an overview, seamlessly incorporating archive footage and the input of abiding creative collaborators such as Tim Pope.