Meetings

Please join us for our next DUPS meeting on Sunday February 15th.

SIREN SONG

A Dennis Deavenport Experimental Film Romp

“Siren Song” “is a very personal creation of mine. It is semi-autobiographical, going back to my days trying to grow up into a real person during my college days at Midwestern University. There are also some thoughts on the experiences I had early in life which conspired to mold me into who and what I am today. The film is intended as a somewhat train-of-thought jaunt above & below water from the deck of the ill-fated MV Indo Siren. However, it goes back in time to its improbable birth in Raja Ampat (2012) and Anilao (2020). It wanders around through Indonesia, the Philippines, and Bali with a group of friends, both old and new, most of who were also on this Oceanic Ventures trip. For me, it was the culmination of a two-week dive trip on the beautiful Indonesian schooner, the Indo Siren. It was a trip that I won in the annual OVI photo contest back in 2021. Along the way, you will be introduced to some of the wonders and trials we faced wandering around in Bali, fighting wild currents south of the island of Halmahera, and taking in the beautiful scenery we saw along the way. If you look carefully, you will probably also see some truly amazing critters and underwater scenery.”

“The show will bump along in time and space as my mood changes but overall, it will be intended as a retrospective on the Oceanic Ventures trip, led by Eric Keibler, starting in Raja Ampat, passing through the fabled spice-trade waters of Halmahera, before running aground in Sulawesi and Lembeh Strait. There may be some references to one or two Greek tragedies, various and sundry classic films, and perhaps (well, who knows perhaps what) maybe even a reference to a strange and almost incoherent book, Naked Lunch, by the Beat Generation author, William S. Burrows. There is a storyline (I think) but you might have to search a bit for it. I took off my filters and just let it happen.”

“Along the way you will meet some of the more memorable ad-hoc actors in my cast as they lurch around playing their own peculiar roles, doing what they do best. For one very special dive guide, Stefan Lega, I reserve screen time to thank him for his most excellent stewardship, humor, and friendship.”

“Come and be as surprised as I will be to see what shows up on screen. Bring popcorn and rotten tomatoes. Dress up as your favorite Monte Python character, a Star Wars Stormtrooper, or a Renaissance Festival Ogre (if you prefer). I can promise that you will have probably never seen anything quite like this film. It was meant to be an unrepentant experiment but as with most experiments, it may or may not succeed. When attempting new things, you must be willing to accept failure for the chance to succeed.”

“All will be revealed in due time…  In all honesty, it’s the favorite film I’ve ever produced. It works for me.”

Dennis Deavenport