Trailer

The Kite Atiitude Trailer

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Introduction

If you asked me what I owned that was French I wouldn't have to think very hard.

Cinema, from the fun of "Amelie", the enticing cleverness of "Swimming Pool", the musical chic of "8 Femmes", through to the grittiness of "À ma soeur!".

Music, the French produce the best Electro in Europe, from the Blue Note Jazz of St.Germain through to the creativity and perception of Hotel Costes resident Stephane Pompougnac. French music is stylish and very very cool.

Cerf-Volant Acrobatique, or Sport Kites, the French have pioneered a new approach to Freestyle and Sport Kite flying that has understandably been described as a revolution. Nirvana, Masque, these names are already legends and the fliers, Mayet, Reynes, Debray aren't far removed.

So what would happen if you mixed French Cinema, Electro and Kites into one package?

Kite Attitude is the answer.

Overview

There are three main sections to the DVD. Kite Attitude itself, a selection of Photo's and a Making Of video.

The Kite Attitude short film (and that is what it is) runs for 30 minutes and is available in two versions: English and French. The differences are minor, mainly that the English version has more English and subtitles when people speak French. Personally as someone who speaks, reads and understands a little French I would have preferred a French version with English subtitles, but the majority of English speakers probably wouldn't. In general I prefer the French version, but having an English language version was a good choice.

Kite Attitude is not clearly structured, it is a stylishly put together mixture of Outdoor Flying, Interviews, Single Line Flying, Indoor Flying, High Wind Flying and, er, Women. The partners of the fliers (and others) seem to have volunteered to participate in the video - this video is actually a little sexy. As for the fliers, we are talking about a full selection of R-Sky and L'Atelier sponsored fliers - no need to name names. The kites? The Transfer, Nirvana, Masque, Lynx, Krystal, Jordana, X-Masque, Hoby 2004 and Double Zero amongst others all make an appearance, and they all look very good. Even the Airbow can be seen. Msr's Benson and Wardley will be pleased.

The Photo section is a nice extra, a simple gallery of shots. The third section is The Making Of, which is another short in itself. A little humor, more women and some (very) broken kites - even the masters are not perfect! The Making Of is a really nice way to round off the DVD.

Content

Although the kites and tricks are introduced there is no attempt to teach the viewer how to fly them; this is not an instructional video. However if you want to watch a full range of French style tricks, from Wap's to Cyniques via Cascades and Cometes then you will find it. There is also some flying in a range of different locations, indoors and out. Think "Tricky Flickery" for 2004 and you will have an idea of the variety of set pieces.

That is not to say that you couldn't learn anything from this video, but that is not its main intent. Its intent is to entertain and sell Freestyle. In this is succeeds. Just don't expect a very technical DVD, this is as far from the French up-down videos of last year as you can get and I applaud that, others may be disappointed. It is not a video to teach a beginner the basics either. This is inspiration rather than information.

For me some of the best moments are the indoor flying with two 00's, and the Transfer footage. The interviews are interesting, but are pretty much along the lines of "who are you, how did you get into kite flying, what have you won, what do you fly". Never however did I find myself getting bored, because the action changes quickly, a kite video for the 30 second generation. I also enjoyed the Capoeira. Very nice.

Production

Professional, is the only way to describe the production. The choice of music is fantastique and the camera work is solid. Plenty of strange camera angles at times, but that goes with the style. Sometimes there is an over enthusiastic use of unusual transitions, but the use of effects and picture in picture is minimal and stylish. The film is 4:3, although sections are 16:9 letterbox for style. As a wide screen TV user I am still waiting for the first 16:9 kite video. It may be some time.

In general once a kite is introduced it is not identified again, and the same with tricks. I wonder if more titling would have been helpful, a difficult call for the director. The menu system on the DVD is straight forward to use. I am yet to search for Easter Eggs.

The Audio seems a little biased towards the left at times, and does vary in quality a little. The DVD is a DVD-R. I found this played in a range of DVD players but could be temprimental

Conclusion

Kite Attitude is quite simply art. This is the DVD to show to your friends to hook them on kite flying. There are moments where the combination of camera shots, a change in tempo of the music and the flying actually sends tingles down the spine. Enough said.

However it is not a French Flying Techniques. People who were hoping for an advanced instructional video are going to have to wait. Partnered with Flying Techniques is a great combination, but there is still a gap in the market.

My final concern is that approach to Women in the film probably highlights the differences between Anglo-American and Continental European Feminism. I tried the film out on a non-kiteflying female friend who said she felt the men and the women were both quite sexy, but she especially liked the women. I however think that Denis Placette is one the most attractive things I have seen on the end of a line set since the Gemini came out. It is fair to say that I probably tend towards a continental culture but some people may find this not to their taste.

Culture aside, overall this Film is excellent and very beautiful, don't miss out - it is worth the £17. This is the first kite film ever to get a kHiTe star.