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While punk put paid to the notion that success needn't require musical proficiency, it still relied on rock posturing. And for those who worship at the altar of air guitar, the ability to execute distinctive shapes is paramount; without it the 'sport' would cease to exist. Alexandra Lipsitz's hilarious documentary, complete with riff heavy soundtrack featuring Queen, The Hives and Smashing Pumpkins, charts the journey of America's first contenders for the crown of Air Guitar champion, following them from the regional US heats to the finals in Finland.

Anything as bizarre as a fad involving imaginary instruments is bound to throw up a few interesting characters, and there's no shortage of them in Air Guitar Nation. The documentary focuses on two main air-grinders: the bombastically named egomaniac Bjorn Turoque, and his rival East Coast regional finalist winner C Diddy. Self-styled 'ambassador of air', Turoque loses out in the regional heat, but that doesn't stop him trying his luck at the finals. C-Diddy kitted out in a bandana and a Hello Kitty breast plate might look ridiculous, but silences his critics with a lightning fast finger technique that makes him favourite to win.

"A RIFF ROARING EXPERIENCE"

True, there's more than a whiff of Spinal Tap about Air Guitar Nation as it plays heavily on heavy metal cliches, punctuated with an air (pun intended) of self-parody immortalised in rock documentaries. But it's never less than entertaining - whether competitors are indulging in fitness exercises, 'air guitar zen' or attending a mayor's reception. Shot in a raw, grungy style that lends the film a degree of authenticity, AGN is a riff-roaring experience that rarely hits a bum note.

Air Guitar Nation is out in the UK on 9th November 2007.