SXSW 2021: Swan Song
When I think of Udo Kier, the words ‘light-hearted’ and ‘comedic’ don’t normally come to mind. I always picture him as very dark and brooding in a majority of roles I’ve seen him in. He’s normally a bad guy, or acting in mysterious ways. So color me shocked after watching Swan Song, that I joyfully thought to myself ‘they couldn’t have chosen a better actor for this role’.
Todd Stephens’s Swan Song stars Udo Kier, as Pat Pitsenbarger, a gay and ailing retired hairstylist in the small town of Sandusky, Ohio. Pat is nearing the end of his life in an assisted living facility. A final spark comes into his life as he is requested to return to his hairstyling roots and create one last masterpiece for a former client who has passed away and needs a hairdo for her funeral. Originally Pat scoffs at the idea due to a grievance he has with the former client, but as guilt sets in, he makes his decision. Pat swiftly departs from the nursing home on a long and lively trek through his past and dealing with the present.
Udo Kier is an odd bird in general, but like previously mentioned, he is the perfect choice for this flamboyant character. He plays it to perfection. We’re initially presented to Pat as he is depressed and dressed in drab everyday wear. It lacks color and life. However, leaving the nursing home was the best thing he could have done for the minimal amount of time he has left in his own life. As he makes his way to his proposed job we see not only more information of his life flourish, but he as a person flourish back into who he was prior to the nursing home. Pat still mourns the loss of loved ones and uses alcohol as a coping mechanism. Yet, while he still hits the bottle, he opens his life back up to the town of Sandusky and the life he once had.
Watching colors vibrantly flow back into Pat’s life is a world of comfort. He was once referred to as the ‘Liberace of Sandusky’ and it shows more and more with each passing moment. He embraces his old style, stops by the bar he used to perform as a drag queen at, plays jump rope with children, and forms friendships with people around town. He may still hold some grudges but he’s trying to live life to the fullest and put them on the backburner until a revelation is revealed during one of his drunken manifestations.
Supporting cast includes the always performers such as Jennifer Coolidge, Linda Evans, Michael Urie, Ira Hawkins, and Stephanie McVay. They all add a spark to the movie and balance both the comical and heartbreaking moments to perfection. However, the one thing that really stood out is how much the filmmaker loves Sandusky to utilize as a character in its own fashion. Obviously it’s the main backdrop, but it’s the heart of the movie, and it’s what drives Pat to pull his life together before he passes through town closer to his destination. You can feel how much the director loves his town and it’s really a joy to see. Upon further reading, Stephens created three films dedicating Ohio to its main location with Swan Song being the latest.
Pat Pitsenberger was a real person who lived in Sandusky when Stephens was younger. Pat was openly gay in a time when it was more frowned upon and Stephens looked up to this. So much so that Stephens created this movie with him as the main character. The story may not be true, but Pat sure is, which makes this even more special and shows the adoration and commitment Stephens has towards Sandusky.
Swan Song is an altogether wonderful film about growth, putting the past behind and forgetting the grudges one may have. It not only provides a life lesson to the main character, but it can also provide lessons for the viewers. The more it sits with me, the more I absolutely love it. You won’t find many films out there that include Udo Kier lip synching to Robyn’s ‘Dancing On My Own’ and absolutely own it. Glitter and jewels never looked so good on Kier.
