Mistaken for Strangers

The Berringers brothers. Tom is to the right. Matt to the left sharing a moment with the crowd

Tom Berringer’s right, in stating there are no twists endings in his film Mistaken for Strangers (Beringer 2013). But do expect honesty in his upfront documentary.

Meet Tom, Matt’s younger brother better known as the front man from the indie rock band The National. His film, Mistaken for Strangers documents the band’s High Violet world tour where Tom appears as a roadie and cameraman. Opening with Tom’s breaking of the fourth wall, he apologises to the Melbourne Film Festival audience that he cannot be with them to watch his film. I couldn’t help but wonder was he practising an acceptance speech for the plame d’or.

This raw, fly on the wall documentary has awkward band poses, teeth cleaning and sleeping. Along with band interviews and management who had to be reassured that Matt’s angrier moments was off- the record. But of course it was on, as the film documents linear footage in an un-edited style. Mistaken for Strangers uses a double meaning, notably it’s a song title from Boxer (The National 2007) but more so works in its exploration of the Berringer’s nonexistent relationship. Tom is a depressed metal-head who’s enjoys making schlock horror (one of his achievements is a film called Wages of Sin about a barbarian with an identity crisis) and quite frankly thinks the National are “pretentious bullshit”. While Matt is the composed well suited, wine drinker, who retaliates to Tom pay- outs by picking on his binge drinking.

Like a good documentary, Mistaken for Strangers allows the viewer a nuanced understanding of the brothers and their indifferences. I warmed to Tom, as the underdog, who was reminiscent of Andy Dyer (Chris Pratt) from the TV series Parks and Recreation. Tom appeared naïve at first but like Dyer; often blurted out a grounded perspectives and understanding of the music industry. One of the more sincere and cerebral moments of the film, is when Tom discusses art with his Mother Nancy. Nancy metaphorically analysis’s each brother’s artwork. Nancy understood Matt’s art as minimalist and abstract (his collection appears to typify the style of The National). But Tom, according to Nancy was the artistic one.  Illustrations involving a severed leg where she states, "what’s not to like about this drawing”. I found myself agreeing when I wasn’t humming along to the film.