Educational Media Reviews Online

Is It Really So Strange? examines the performer-fan relationship between Morrissey from the rock band The Smiths, and Latino fans in East Los Angeles, the location of one of the biggest Morrissey fan bases.

This video follows a documentary format and includes interviews with many Morrissey fans interspersed with first person narrative from producer William E. Jones. In particular, Jones examines the attraction Morrissey holds for Latino fans. He finds that they identify with Morrissey, who was Irish and raised in England, because of their shared experience of being “Mexican” and living in America. The fans also enjoy Morrissey’s expression of a wide range of emotions through his music. Although the documentary focuses on the Latino fans in East Los Angeles, it still provides a fascinating look into the dynamics of performer-fan relationships. The video includes interviews with The Sweet and Tender Hooligans, a Smiths tribute/cover band, whose performances are compared to performances by Morrissey and the Smiths.

A striking feature of the video is the lack of music clips from any of the artists profiled. No music is heard until the closing credits of the video. I recommend obtaining some samples of the music to play before showing the video, especially for people who may be unfamiliar with the musicians.

I recommend this video for ages high school through adult, due to brief images of nudity on a Smiths album cover, and discussions of sexual orientation and sexual ambiguity.