Director Thorsten Schütte’s documentary EAT THAT QUESTION: FRANK ZAPPA IN HIS OWN WORDS is an ambitious film. Culling together interviews and performances spanning three decades, he has put together a must-see for Zappa fans. Unlike most rock documentaries which aim to speak to the casual observer as well as fans, this film is geared for those well-versed in the controversial musician’s work as well as his politics.
The second half of this film’s title is almost unnecessary. Anyone familiar with Zappa knows he was outspoken and unique — his entire career was founded on his own terms. But in this cinematic compendium, Zappa’s wit and articulate speech shows a much stronger cohesion between what seemed like incompatible ideologies and sentiments. Zappa was a contrarian and this film highlights the ways in which he played with his words the way he played with music. Director Thorsten Shutte notes, “As with sounds or instruments, he was equally explorative with language and visuals.”
Though Zappa was purposefully glib, he did have a strong progressive streak, though he would have probably objected to that label. Zappa’s son, Dweezil Zappa offers this insight, “There’s a consciousness that he had. It’s a certain ability to vet a situation and provide social commentary that was crystal clear in its communication, but he didn’t have to spend any time to conjure up his opinion. It was automatic, that awareness is so rare, not a lot of people are tuned into that wavelength.”
EAT THAT QUESTION provides all the necessary components to tap into Zappa’s consciousness, its up to his fans to ride the wave.
— Diana Martinez, Film Streams Education Director
