Ant Muzak

I watched this short a couple of nights ago on channel 4 as part of their 'Outside Zone' section of programmes. It's a fairly simple idea - Adam and the Ants make an eventful late-night trip to their local 24-hour supermarket - but it's played well with plenty of humour and respect.

Can't say I recognised Nick Moran as Adam Ant and had to rely on the end credit's for identification. He does look the spitting image of Mr. Ant and is quite amusing, especially when trying to control the 'kids' (the 2 drummers who I haven't got a clue what their names are). Mackensie Crook is fairly recognisable and comes across as a motherly figure (it's probably just the curly blonde wig and clothes he's wearing). Apparently a couple of the original Ants were involved in the film, contributing music and making cameo appearances.

One thing I didn't get was the other group of shoppers who were wandering around. Not being a child of the early eighties, I failed to get the joke but I imagine it would be fairly obvious to someone else.

After a quick google I see that it's possible to see and download from various places. I recommend you give it a go. There's also follow-on of sorts called 'Blake Junction 7' with a few of the same faces appearing. This also looks interesting from the trailer that's online.

It's around 2am on Tuesday morning. A 24 hour supermarket is quiet with only a few people drifting in and out and the staff cleaning and restocking.

However, just like the rest of us, popstars need to do their weekly shop and it is at this time that Adam Ant and his group arrive to do their shopping. With some of the Ants wandering off impatiently, Adam tries to get everything they need and get home as soon as they can.

I had no idea what this film was about when I videoed it and I was surprised to find it be as enjoyable as it actually was. The plot is a very low key but absurd event where a pop group are doing the same old grind as the rest of us – in a way it is not dissimilar to the BBC show 'Stella Street' in the way it puts stars in the unusual setting of real life. Here it is not hilarious but it has enough inventive moments that, combine with the juxtaposition in the first place, add up to an amusing short film. The laugh of real belly laughs gives it the observational feel of The Office and it is likely that it will appeal to UK viewers much more than it will other nationalities and cultures.

The use of full makeup and costume is funny in itself but to add things like them doing the Prince Charming dance down an aisle is very funny (and even better for the unfussy and unshowy manner in which we see it – again like it is normal!). Even the end credits get in on the act, with the usual disclaimer changed to 'any similarity between real characters living or dead is purely co-ants-idental' giving me a final laugh right at the end. The cast are nicely low key with a few familiar faces in there, mostly they do a good job of looking flashy but also being boringly normal!

Overall this is a very funny film even though it has no real big laughs in it. The concept is simple and it is effective – Adam Ant does his shopping in Co-op of a night! The juxtaposition of the familiar with the stellar is good for a consistently amusing short film that I consider to have been a very good find. Definitely those that like the concept of Stella Street and the quiet, observational laughs of The Office should give it a try.