As in those old, formal, static group photos, some sepia toned, others in strict black and white and, a few, lit by hand, in which someone poked their head out from behind to be seen or do -it's funny, so are the people, women and men, young and old, who are behind a politician, even if he is of the B series, when he launches a harangue, a message, statements staring at the camera, that is : we are supposed to.
These extras are individuals, anonymous people who nod with serious faces, attentive and voiceless like characters in silent films. They interpret, certain that they are observed, the score of the talking bust. If the argument is funny, they smile; if the matter is serious, they show concern; if the talkative politician becomes aggressive, they are tense, tight-lipped and with a contracted gesture. Vindictive professionals
It is a recent trade, from the first years of our democracy - which fortunately does not depend, for now, on new technologies - yet to be named, which would have its conceptual origin in those palm trees that accompany groups folklore to give color, atmosphere and spirits to the figure. A frieze of unknown faces. The choir and the soloist. A landscape of faces. A human fund of support for a political message, whether it is an election campaign spot or statements for the TV news, an opinion on an unexpected news item or a jab at the opposition. Surely it is an infallible practice because, as of now, it is more than proven in meetings, heads of demonstrations... And campaign directors and advisers are solvent people, aren't they?
Participating as an extra in a border of busts as a background replacing the natural landscape, visually accompanying the more or less substantial speech of a politician, perhaps has its own purpose for the ego or to climb in the future . Who knows. Do they do pre-casting? Are they looking for expressiveness, beauty or interpretive skills? A related ideology? The solvency of a credible face? Is participation remunerated? For hours or days? Fixed and on payroll? Women the same as men? I am left with the doubt. And you?
