Watch The Nomi Song

The Nomi Song is a fascinating documentary released in 2004 that explores the life, the legend, and the mystery of Klaus Nomi. The German countertenor performer Klaus Nomi became famous in the late 1970s and early 1980s for his unique operatic voice, futuristic costumes, and avant-garde performances. However, despite his undeniable talent and originality, he tragically died of AIDS in 1983, at the young age of 39, leaving an unfinished legacy behind.

The movie features a wealth of rare footage and interviews with people who knew or worked with Klaus Nomi, giving an intimate, insightful, and often heart-wrenching portrait of this unusual artist. It begins with a glimpse of Nomi as a young boy, growing up in post-war Germany, fascinated by music and pop culture. Then, it moves to his arrival in New York City in the late 1970s, where he started to perform in clubs, sometimes dressed as an alien or a robot, and quickly gained a cult following.

The documentary captures the essence of Nomi's performances, which blended classical music, pop, and electronic sounds with eccentric fashion and otherworldly stage presence. It also illuminates Nomi's personality, which was both shy and flamboyant, guarded and vulnerable, self-aware and self-destructive. Through interviews with people such as artists Ann Magnuson and Joey Arias, choreographer Edwina Lee Tyler, and producer Ron Johnsen, we see how Nomi's artistry and persona impacted and inspired his contemporaries.

The Nomi Song also touches on the cultural and political context of Nomi's era, including the rise of punk, new wave, and AIDS. The movie highlights the queer and outsider nature of Nomi's art and how it challenged and transformed the norms of gender, sexuality, and identity. It also portrays the tragedy of the AIDS epidemic, which took the lives of many artists, including Nomi, and the stigma and discrimination that HIV-positive people faced.

One of the most striking aspects of The Nomi Song is how it shows the contrast between Klaus Nomi's rising fame and his declining health. As the movie progresses, we see Nomi becoming more frail and sickly, culminating in his last performance on "Saturday Night Live" in 1982, where he sang "Total Eclipse" and "Nomi Song" in a memorable, haunting duet with David Bowie. This scene is one of the highlights of the movie, not only for its musical and dramatic value but also for the emotional impact it had on Nomi's fans, who saw it as a poignant farewell.

The movie concludes with a montage of Nomi's last moments and his legacy. It shows how his music and image influenced many artists, from Bowie and Madonna to Bjork and Lady Gaga. It also reveals how his family and friends coped with his death and how they keep his memory alive. Finally, the movie raises the question of what Nomi could have achieved if he had not died so young, and if his legacy could have been more significant if he had lived longer.

In summary, The Nomi Song is a touching and thought-provoking tribute to one of the most singular and misunderstood artists of the 20th century. It showcases Klaus Nomi's brilliance, his flaws, and his humanity, and it invites us to ponder his unique place in music history. Whether you are a fan of Klaus Nomi or not, this movie is a must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of music, art, and culture.