“Hocus Focus”

Lens flare (or sunspots, here simulated by a close-up iPhone shot of a multicolored stone coaster) can be so evocative of late 60’s and early 70’s media. It says to me “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” by the New Seekers (1971) or “The Swimmer” with Burt Lancaster (1968). A fun parody music video could have all the band members shielding their eyes from the irrepressible glare of hippy-trippy nostalgia. Or maybe just do a re-make of “Billy Jack” (1971/73). The latter film, for the uninitiated, had an infamous rape scene. And my Uncle Bill took my cousin and me to see it in the theater when we were all of about 8 or 9 years old. But things were different back then. There was simply more respect for our institutions. We sat quietly through unpleasant movie scenes (more lens flare, please), and we also honored the outcome of our elections.