The Nomi Song

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The Nomi Song

Released Jan 15, 2005

1h 39m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

94%

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36 Reviews

86%

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1,000+ Ratings

Bizarre, robotic, alien, outrageous, androgynous: all these words apply to 1980s German singer Klaus Nomi, the subject of this documentary. Nomi arrives in New York City with a background in German classical opera, which he channels into a strange but mesmerizing rock act quickly embraced by the avant garde and the punk scene. A cult develops around his performances, and he lands an appearance with David Bowie on TV. But, before his career can take off, tragedy strikes in the form of AIDS.

Critics Consensus

A fascinating, if occasionally frustrating, documentary about Klaus Nomi, a cult figure in the New Wave Underground scene during the '80s.

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Micco Caporale

Chicago Reader

The triumphs and loneliness of being a beautifully singular weirdo...

Dec 18, 2023

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

The Nomi Song is pieced together from photos, performance footage, and talking-head interviews, but director Andew Horn has taken great care to fashion a strong story arc.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 3, 2005

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Michael O'Sullivan

Washington Post

Mostly fascinating, but occasionally frustrating.

May 20, 2005

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Chase Burns

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

The Nomi Song features a lot-too many-talking heads, but it's saved by the fact that it's one of the too-few documentaries on German experimental vocalist Klaus Nomi.

Jan 20, 2022

Full Review

Jean-François Vandeuren

Panorama

Un documentaire qui rend justice à un personnage fascinant, mais dont on aurait tout de même voulu en savoir davantage

Rated: 7/10

Aug 11, 2005

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Bill Gibron

DVD Verdict

While he was never a Top 40 hitmaker, Klaus Nomi was an important artist...and The Nomi Song is a cinematic anthem to his unorthodox individuality.

Rated: 90/100

Jul 31, 2005

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Audience Member

Interesting character study.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A beautiful film. Every fan of the late, great Klaus Nomi should give this a watch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

A well-made documentary on one of the very boldest performers of the 20th century.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

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Audience Member

Hearing Klaus Nomi for the first time is one of those moments you'll never forget (thank you to Paolo for introducing me last month). That the story of his life is from step-to-step compiled by a series of these "a-ha" moments, adds so much extra gravity to how tragically short his life was cut by AIDS. Legendary, without a doubt.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Documentaire touchant sur un Personnage deroutant, un Artiste

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Klaus Nomi was entirely ahead of his time. His aesthetic, his sotry, and his music were all far beyond what anybody was doing at the time and still more modern than much of the music now. This documentary went into some amazing detail about Klaus. Solid film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

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Andrew Horn

Director

Joesph Arias

Self

Calvin Churchman

Self

Tony Frere

Self

Michael Halsband

Self

Kristian Hoffman

Self

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Synopsis

Bizarre, robotic, alien, outrageous, androgynous: all these words apply to 1980s German singer Klaus Nomi, the subject of this documentary. Nomi arrives in New York City with a background in German classical opera, which he channels into a strange but mesmerizing rock act quickly embraced by the avant garde and the punk scene. A cult develops around his performances, and he lands an appearance with David Bowie on TV. But, before his career can take off, tragedy strikes in the form of AIDS.

Director: Andrew Horn
Producer: Andrew Horn, Annette Pisacane, Thomas Mertens, Anne Even
Screenwriter: Andrew Horn
Distributor: Palm Pictures
Production Co: Cameo Filmproduktion, Arte, CV Films, Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 15, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 17, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $74.2K
Runtime: 1h 39m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)