Theory of Obscurity. A Film About The Residents

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Who are The Residents? The San Francisco band that enjoys a cult status was formed all the way back in 1969, and ever since the four members have managed stay anonymous, hidden behind masks and a wall of music that in an innovative and curious way has integrated new technologies into the tonal experiments. Conspiracy theories about the group have claimed that the Beatles are behind the eye-shaped (!) giant masks. But only one thing is certain when one talks about The Residents. They are a genre in themselves. Even if people have opinions about them that are so different that you could be forgiven for thinking that they were talking about several different bands – which according to one of the theories about the group is actually the case. Enthusiastic fans from the Simpson creator Matt Groenig to the Devo singer Gerald Casale can not all be wrong: behind the masks hide four unique talents with an ability to renew media and art forms across music, film and the changing media of the times. Residents for presidents!