In early Feb/March 2001, Beth Orton joined Beck to starred in a feature film titled Southlander (originally Recycler). The movie tells the tale of a man, Chance, on a quest to find a synthesizer for his band, according to Beck's spokesperson at Interscope Records. On the way, he meets up with the future Beck, along with Beth Orton, Hank Williams III and Elliott Smith.

In the film, Beth Orton played a character named Rocket, a singer, whom the character Chance (played by Rory Cochrane) wants to hook up with. Beck plays himself but 9 years later.

The film was directed by Steve Hanft who did Beck's "Loser" and "Jack-Ass" videos, among others, as well as clips for Orton, the Cure and Luna.

Southlander defies reason and predictability

By Jim Toweill
Argonaut Online
(THEATER OF THE) ABSURDITY DEFIES EVEN TINSELTOWN LOGIC
Southlander is a movie that undermines just about every Hollywood standard. It boasts no dazzling special effects or animation. Most of the video quality is only slightly better than home movies shot with a camcorder. There are no big-name actors in starring roles, and nothing is based on an SNL skit. The plot is thinner than either of the Bill and Ted movies and almost as silly.

The characters are also thin and single-minded. Even the few somewhat sympathetic characters don't break out of the two-dimensional world. The only reason to watch this movie is its sublime and delightful absurdity.

Southlander revolves around one man's supreme determination, drive and persistence in hunting down a keyboard. But this is not just any keyboard; it's an extremely rare Molotron, a futuristic-looking white plastic thing that protagonist Chase needs to complete his sound and thereby be admitted to a touring dub-pop band.

His reasons for desperately wanting to join the band are twofold: to pay his rent and hook up with the singer, played by the lovely British songstress Beth Orton. Chase finds the illustrious Molotron through the Southlander, an L.A. classifieds publication, but the keyboard is soon stolen. Chase and other musicians spend the rest of the movie trying to retrieve the divine object.

It is a journey that puts the odd in odyssey. Rival bands, white rabbits, a retired funk musician turned tennis pro, solar energy, the fuzz, Egyptian jazz musicians from outer space, a lot of cocaine, Hank Williams III and a giant mechanical fire-breathing dinosaur all stand in the way of Chase and his um, chase.

The film? dialogue is almost cringingly campy and often clich· but it meshes perfectly with the ridiculous scenes depicting various L.A. stereotypes. At times Southlander feels like it is trying to critique the music industry and Southern California decadence. But then it quickly veers off onto some other astral plane of nonsense.

Southlander was directed by Steve Hanft, who is known for his work in directing videos for Beck, Beth Orton and others. A few of those artists, along with Laura Prepon from That 70's Show and several other famous names make cameo appearances. Beck's role turns out to be one of the film's most intriguing characters. The man is definitely an enigma and it would be interesting to see him take up acting, at least as a hobby. 

Southlander is currently on tour and played twice last Thursday at the SUB's Borah Theatre. If you missed it, be sure to check it out on video or DVD in the future. It got all the ingredients of a cult classic.

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