Thrilla in Manila

(I'm patting myself on the back for this blog entry's title.)

Years from now, when more famous Michael Jackson videos have faded, from Billie Jean to Bad, the one left standing might be one whose concept seems so bizarre that its long lasting appeal is inconceivable.

John Landis directed Michael Jackson in a werewolf like transformation from mild mannered Michael to freaky dancing Michael. There's something about not being human, whether it be a robot, or some monster, or some animal, that touches us in some way, allows us to become, well, not heroes really, certainly not superheroes, but simply different.

I've seen a Bollywood (really Tollywood) version of this, as well as participants in a wedding. If there's one video and dance people seem to like, it's Thriller.

And that a Filipino prison, complete with man dressed as victimized woman, could organize their homage to Michael, it adds lustre to this very strange history of a song called Thriller.