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Wednesday, Dec 10, 1997
Shooting Stars: Celebrity Substitutes
Sometimes eccentricity, whether pure or cunningly managed, can attract the gaze of fickle fame. In Brazil, a paunchy man, Jose De Moura, has captured the media's attention through his obsessive quest to kiss people for world peace. Carlos Nader's energetic documentary Belijoqueiro: Portrait of a Serial Kisser (1992, 28 mins) introduces this folk hero who came to fame when he snuck on stage and kissed ol' blue eyes (Sinatra) on the cheeks. This first osculation led to many as the Pope, George Bush, Jacques Cousteau, and even mega-star Pele came under his pecking order. It hasn't been a free smooch: De Moura has been beaten numerous times by unwilling partners. Mayhem comes at the end of Sam Green's utterly fascinating The Rainbow Man/John 3:16 (1997, 40:30 mins), the ignominious life of Rollen Frederick Stewart. Known for appearing at major sporting events, sporting a rainbow-colored Afro wig and clowning for the camera, Rock 'n' Rollen had the privilege of being famous because he was famous. Green's astute account details the media savvy of this multi-colored personality who finds God and transmogrifies into John 3:16, a Bible versifier. The Rainbow Man is the sordid tale of a man who was confused by reality programming. In the short, Joe Dimaggio 1, 2, 3 (Anne McGuire, 1993, 11 mins), the siren sings to an unsuspecting sports celeb. But the alluring stalker never gets to first base.-Steve Seid
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