hristopher Guest, the creative force behind the hilarious mockumentary Best In Show is back with a vengeance. This time he's spoofing the folk music scene of the 60's. And many of the regulars from Best In Show and Waiting For Guffman return to star in A Mighty Wind, Guest's newest semi-improv comedy.

  The story begins when after the death of legendary folk music promoter Irving Steinbloom, his son Jonathan decides to stage a special tribute concert at New York's Town Hall - in his dad's honor. Jonathan, played by Bob Balaban (Ghost World, Best In Show), is determined to create the most perfect concert, but unfortunately Jonathan is tone-deaf. A Mighty Wind is all about the outrageous events leading up to the concert and the concert reunion itself.

  There's The Folksmen - a group who after 30 years apart are suddenly reunited and, of course, expect this concert gig to launch a whole new come-back for them. They are as furious about fame having passed them by, as they are about their old tuxedos no longer fitting. But they are extremely passionate about their music.

  The Folksmen trio are played by Christopher Guest and long-time Saturday Night Live colleagues Michael McKean (This Is Spinal Tap, Best In Show) and Harry Shearer (This Is Spinal Tap, Wayne's World II).

  And then there's the affectionate sweetheart duo Mitch & Mickey, who are now bitterly divorced. Canadian actor/musician/writer Eugene Levy (Best in Show, American Pie) plays Mitch who, says Levy, "is coming back to re-unite with his ex-wife after 30 years and after about as many nervous breakdowns."
actors
Bob Balaban
Christopher Guest
John Michael Higgins
Eugene Levy
Michael McKean
Catherine O'Hara
Parker Posey
Harry Shearer
Fred Willard

director
Christopher Guest

 locations
 Los Angeles
Connecticut
outtake
The Folksmen was originally a sketch performed on an episode of Saturday Night Live during the 1984-85 season when Guest and Shearer were cast members and McKean was
host.

  The big question is, will Mitch and Mickey be able to sing their signature hit "A Kiss At The End Of The Rainbow" which always ended with a romantic kiss onstage - when they now despise
each other?

  And last but not least, the colorful neuftet, re-named as The "New" Main Street Singers since only one of the original members is still alive. Long dissatisfied with performing in amusement parks and state fairs, this smiling, bouncy group is convinced that now's their chance to finally make it really big.

  Guest's filming process is as unconventional as the stories he tells.
As with his two most recent films, there's no script. Instead, Guest and Levy write a detailed outline describing the characters with all their delightful eccentricities, the key story points and as many humorous conflict situations as possible. The dialogue is left entirely to the actors and is improvised while the cameras are rolling. There are no rehearsals. Eventually about 60 hours of footage are cut down to 90 minutes.

  Because almost all the actors have worked together on Best In Show and/or Waiting For Guffman, Guest's unconventional style works like a charm. "This ensemble now feels very comfortable and everyone trusts and respects each other," says Guest. "Someone is always going to be able to come up with something that's funny and make the scene work."

- Brigitte Berman