DocumentaryWith forty years of making music as the iconic folk-rock band Indigo Girls, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have made their mark as musicians, songwriters, and dedicated activists. They have represented radical self-acceptance to many, leading multiple generations of fans to say, “the Indigo Girls saved my life.” Still, Amy and Emily battled misogyny, homophobia, and a harsh cultural climate chastising them for not fitting into a female pop star mold. With joy, humor, and heart-warming earnestness, Sundance award-winning director Alexandria Bombach brings us into a contemporary conversation with Amy and Emily—alongside decades of the band’s home movies and intimate present-day verité.
Music DocumentariesFrom BAFTA Award-winning director Asif Kapadia (SENNA), AMY tells the incredible story of six-time Grammy-winner Amy Winehouse – in her own words. Featuring extensive unseen archival footage and previously unheard tracks, this strikingly modern, moving and vital film shines a light on the world we live in, in a way that very few can. A once-in-a-generation talent, Amy Winehouse was a musician that captured the world’s attention. A pure jazz artist in the most authentic sense – she wrote and sung from the heart using her musical gifts to analyze her own problems. The combination of her raw honesty and virtuosity resulted in some of the most unique and adored songs of the modern era. But her massive success resulted in relentless and invasive media attention, which coupled with Amy’s troubled relationships and precarious lifestyle, saw her life tragically begin to unravel, resulting in her untimely death in July 2011 at the age of 27.
DocumentaryIn CATCHING FIRE: THE STORY OF ANITA PALLENBERG, directors Alexis Bloom and Svetlana Zill put a female perspective back in the official narrative of rock ‘n’ roll. This intimate documentary reveals the story of an unapologetic rock ‘n’ roller, actress, mother, and muse to the Rolling Stones, who rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s. Using the words of her unpublished memoir, read by Scarlett Johansson, Anita draws us deep into her world with the help of her family – Marlon, Angela, and their father Keith Richards. Never-before-seen home movies and family photographs explore life with the Rolling Stones. This is a bittersweet tale of both triumph and heartbreak; Anita Pallenberg was a woman ahead of her time.
Music DocumentariesAn intimate portrait of the Canadian stadium rockers' rollercoaster career. From their rural roots in Alberta to becoming one of the most successful, yet divisive acts in music history.
DocumentaryJerry Lee Lewis is a paradox: the Killer who's also a survivor; the choir boy who transformed into The World's Greatest Sinner. But of all the tensions embodied by a man who was, at his peak, arguably both the greatest and most dangerous popular musician of his generation, the most compelling of all may be musical. What does it mean for somebody to be both a traditionalist and an innovator? To define their time while somehow existing outside of it? To pay dues to the past while looking towards the future?
DocumentaryThe greatest concert film of all time, "Stop Making Sense" brings to the screen Talking Heads at Hollywood's Pantages Theater in December 1983: David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison, alongside an ecstatic ensemble of supporting musicians, capturing the iconic band at their exhilarating best. Directed by Academy Award Winner Jonathan Demme and newly restored to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
Music DocumentariesJustin Bieber's odds were a million to one, until millions of fans found him online. Now his world is yours with Never Say Never, the "riveting and inspiring" story of his journey from average teen to the youngest performer to sell out the most famous stage in New York City.
Music DocumentariesBACK TO BLACK tells the real story of how Amy’s best known and most celebrated body of work came into being. Featuring previously unseen footage of Amy in the studio, new interviews with producers Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi, and the musicians who worked with Amy on the album, it offers fresh insights into Amy’s remarkable gifts as a singer, songwriter, musician and performer. Also includes AN INTIMATE EVENING IN LONDON, footage from a private show Amy hosted in February 2008, which has never been seen – until now. Amy’s performance sees her in fine form, relaxed and playing for family and friends on the evening she won five Grammy® awards.
Music DocumentariesMusician Lil Peep was on the verge of mainstream success when he died of a drug overdose at 21 years old. Dubbed the future of emo by Pitchfork, Peep managed to touch countless lives across the world in just a short two years with an innovative mix of punk, emo and trap music. Executive produced by Terrence Malick, Everybody’s Everything explores the meteoric rise of Lil Peep, from recording songs in his bedroom to a worldwide tour, and the unbelievable impact he left from trying to be all things to all people.
DramaThe New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell, aka “Jazz Fest,” is the signature annual music and cultural event of the city and has been called America’s greatest festival. Celebrating the music, food, and arts and crafts of all of Louisiana since 1970, Jazz Fest is an essential showcase of the rich heritage of the region, and hundreds of thousands attend the event each year. Local music heroes are joined on 14 stages by some of the most important figures in entertainment, highlighting the connections between Louisiana culture and the world. Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story weaves together live performances and interviews from the 50th anniversary of the iconic festival, featuring some of the biggest names in the music industry, along with a wealth of archival documentary footage from the past half century. This film not only captures the Festival in all of its beauty and glory, but also delves deep into the rich culture of The Big Easy.
DocumentaryThrough electrifying archival footage, exclusive interviews and rare personal letters, this documentary examines the meteoric rise and untimely fall of one of the most iconic and influential rock 'n' roll singers of all time: Janis Joplin. Directed by Oscar nominee Amy Berg and produced by Oscar winner Alex Gibney. Featuring musicians Pink, Kris Kristofferson, Melissa Etheridge, Bob Weir and more.
DocumentaryThis unique rock concert film experience captures the essence of Led Zeppelin, one of the most exciting and durable rock bands of all time. Filmed during the group's now-famous 1973 New York City concerts, this documentary mixes live performances of "Dazed and Confused," "Stairway to Heaven," "Whole Lotta Love" and other signature songs with fantasy sequences and personal backstage footage of the group. Surviving band members recently supervised the digital remastering and Dolby 5.1 remixing of the film's picture and audio, so it now looks and sounds better than ever before!
Documentary"Woodstock," the concert, gave voice to the spirit of a generation, offering the world a three-day microcosm of the turbulent '60s, set to the music of the era's greatest rock performers. "Woodstock," the film, captures it all, now with more than 40 minutes of added material and masterfully remixed sound. This Academy Award-winner for Best Documentary Feature shows in spectacular detail how and why the legendary "Summer of Love" festival was an historical event, and now features additional interviews, memorable footage and, of course, more of the music that brought this "happening" together. The Hollywood Reporter calls this "inspiring and dramatic... With the terrific new sound, gorgeous new prints and overall high quality of filmmaking, the entire film feels as fresh and vital as when it first burst on the scene in 1970." This ground-breaking documentary also offered an early career boost to a young Martin Scorsese ("GoodFellas," "The Aviator"), who served as an editor and assistant
DocumentaryMadonna: Like you've never seen her before. This movie reveals her as she really is, on stage and off--den mother to her family of dancers, sex goddess to her millions of fans, businesswoman, singer, dancer, the biggest star in the world of music. Join her and experience an intimate backstage look at her "Blonde Ambition" tour. From her hotel room to her dressing room, from her stage show to her boudoir, here is Madonna--outrageous, hilarious, uninhibited.
Music DocumentariesWhat began as a movie about the notorious rock group King Crimson and Robert Fripp mutated into something very different to a standard music documentary - a dark and hilarious exploration of music, time, cults, mortality, and the transcendent power of art to change lives. But with jokes.
Music DocumentariesIt's been 50 years since Abba's founders met, 40 since their last concert, and 20 since Mama Mia! became a worldwide phenomena. This multi-Gold Award-winning doc tells their story from Waterloo to today. With commentary from all four band members, new interviews, and rare archives. Band members talk about their lives, their songs, and how it all came to be. With a feast of music and performance.
DocumentaryNow In Theaters. Following in the footsteps of legendary 1960’s session musicians The Wrecking Crew, musicians Leland Sklar, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, and Waddy Wachtel helped create some of the most recognizable tunes in rock music. Director Denny Tedesco reveals the machinery behind the booming era of the singer-songwriter, when the talents of these four musicians were in furious demand. The 1970s come to life through intimate interviews with the musicians themselves and the artists they worked with. Including legendary needle drops and commentary from superstars like Carole King, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Keith Richards, Don Henley, David Crosby, Jackson Browne and Phil Collins, “Immediate Family” is a backstage tour of rock history.
DocumentaryGiuseppe Tornatore, director of the beloved CINEMA PARADISO, turns his camera on his longtime collaborator Ennio Morricone (1928 - 2020) in a moving and comprehensive profile of the indefatigable composer. Tornatore’s documentary portrait explores the breadth of the maestro’s career, from his early Italian pop songs to the fistful of unforgettable film scores that he wrote, including THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY, THE THING, DAYS OF HEAVEN, and hundreds of others. This examination thoughtfully captures insightful commentary from Morricone’s closest collaborators and contemporaries, featuring testimonies from artists and directors such as Bernardo Bertolucci, Marco Bellocchio, Giuliano Montaldo, Dario Argento, Clint Eastwood, Joan Baez, Quentin Tarantino, and more. ENNIO affords the master one last chance to recount his career and deconstruct the artistic process that led him to win two Academy Awards and author over 500 unforgettable soundtracks.
DocumentaryThe never-before-told story of folk-rock icon Judee Sill, who in just two years went from living in a car to appearing on the cover of Rolling Stone. The documentary charts her troubled adolescence through her meteoric rise in the music world and early tragic death. Featuring Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Fleet Foxes, David Geffen, and more.
Music DocumentariesAs one of the poorest states in the country, Mississippi lands at the bottom of many lists. There’s at least one exception, the Clinton, Mississippi High School Attache Show Choir is considered to be among the most successful in history. In a region where arts and music funding have been virtually demolished, Clinton public school's music programs manage to thrive. Composed of students from different backgrounds, Attache unites its members and, together, they rise above, consistently beating the odds since 1981.
Music DocumentariesKaty Perry is living proof that if you just be yourself, you can be anything! Get an inside look into the real Katy Perry and find out how this regular California Girl with big dreams became one of the biggest stars in the world. This “undeniably irresistible” film is your chance to experience Katy Perry’s teenage dream come true* Elizabeth Weitzman, NY DAILY NEWS
DocumentaryTalihina Sky is the story of Kings of Leon, whose strict Pentecostal upbringing in Oklahoma and Tennessee preceded their unlikely transformation into one of the biggest rock bands in the world. The film follows Nathan, Caleb, Jared and Matthew Followill back to Talihina, Oklahoma for their annual family reunion. This reunion serves as a catalyst to explore the band’s roots and the difficulties they faced growing up. Home movies, childhood photos and revealing interviews with family members -- including a colorful group of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins -- expose how the influence of their family has informed the creativity that drives Kings of Leon today. Now a multi-platinum act, Kings of Leon continues to feel the influence of their past while confronting the evolving set of struggles that come with massive success. The band’s achievements have rippled back home to affect their family, who take great pride in, and some of the credit for, the cousins who made it
DocumentaryThe streets of Lawrence Massachusetts were and still are very rough. For a kid growing up in those streets it can be a challenge just to survive. Violence, drugs, guns, gangs, poverty, and anxiety can eat you alive. But through all of that; perseverance, love of family, bonds of friendship, and passion for music can be a lifeline. This is a story of how time and time again music saved Sully Erna and how that salvation manifested itself into the formation of the seminal, multi-platinum selling rock band Godsmack.
DocumentaryIt’s the hit musical that changed Broadway forever and brought the genius of Lin Manuel Miranda to the attention of legions of fans across the world. A story of how a group of mavericks made an unlikely marriage of hip-hop and history to create the biggest show in America…and are getting ready toconquer the world. Featuring interviews with Miranda, as well as the cast and crew of Hamilton.
DramaJack Hazan and David Mingay’s 'Rude Boy' follows on the heels of 'A Bigger Splash', their intimate observation of painter David Hockney’s artistic and personal struggles. Once again merging documentary and fiction, 'Rude Boy' follows roughneck Ray Gange as he drops his Soho sex-shop job to roadie for The Clash—the most fiery, revolutionary rock ’n’ roll band of the era, seen in this film at the dizzying peak of their powers. Ray, a difficult, sometimes reactionary subject and a foil to the band’s idealism, plays observer to The Clash’s legendary 1978 Rock Against Racism concert in London’s Victoria Park and their studio recording of Give ’Em Enough Rope. Set against a background of riots, anti-racist demos, and police hostility towards Black British youth, this unforgettable, absorbing film portraits a UK on the brink of Thatcherism, and a moment when subcultural shock troops met those of a rising right wing in the streets.
Music DocumentariesD Tour: A Tenacious Documentary takes you behind the scenes with Jack Black and Kyle Gass during the making of their feature film, Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny! Features more than an hour of on-set footage and jokes you won't see anywhere else.
IndependentTraveling from the streets of Havana to the stage of Carnegie Hall, this revelatory documentary captures a forgotten generation of Cuba’s brightest musical talents as they enjoy an unexpected brush with world fame. The veteran vocalists and instrumentalists collaborated with American guitarist and roots-music champion Ry Cooder to form the Buena Vista Social Club, playing a jazz-inflected mix of cha-cha, mambo, bolero, and other traditional Latin American styles, and recording an album that won a Grammy and made them an international phenomenon. In the wake of this success, director Wim Wenders filmed the ensemble’s members—including golden-voiced Ibrahim Ferrer and piano virtuoso Rubén González—in a series of illuminating interviews and live performances. The result is one of the most beloved music documentaries of the 1990s, and an infectious ode to a neglected corner of Cuba’s prerevolutionary heritage.
Music DocumentariesOn January 28, 1985, as famine devastated the African continent, a stellar roster of musical talent entered a recording studio in Los Angeles, CA, to make a record dedicated to alleviating hunger in the Third World. The song was called "We Are the World," the collected artists billed themselves as "USA for Africa," and the single became a phenomenon, raising over $60 million for African famine relief. We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song is a documentary which examines how the song was written, how producer Quincy Jones and songwriters Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie persuaded some of the most popular performers in America to donate their services to the project, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the marathon recording session that produced the single. Performers include Ray Charles, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, and many more.
Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Johnny Van Zant & Jojo Billingsley
Music DocumentariesFeaturing rare interviews and never-before-seen archive, If I Leave HereTomorrow takes viewers on a trip through the history, myth and legend of thegreatest American rock band ever! Rising from the swamps of the Deep Souththese good ol’ boys from Jacksonville, FL came to define an era with their hardrocking boogie-woogie sound, their drunken and dangerous antics, and theircontroversial use of the rebel flag. The film also serves as a portrait of bandleader Ronnie Van Zant; Simple Man, Country Boy, Whiskey Rock-a-Roller, apoet and prophet for the common man whose life was cut tragically short, butwhose legacy endures to this day.The film is primarily narrated by Gary Rossington, the last of the Street Survivors,founding member along with Ronnie Van Zant and Allen Collins, who remains theonly original member still in the band today. His recollections, from the beginningto the very end, mingle with the tales of drummer Artimus Pyle and “Sweet Home”co-writer Ed King, interviews with
Music DocumentariesTHRILLER 40 celebrates the Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking Thriller album, the biggest selling album worldwide. The documentary explores the artistic vision behind the revolutionary album and what makes it a global cultural multi-media phenomenon for both the 20th and 21st centuries.
Music DocumentariesRarely can a film penetrate the glamorous surface of rock legends. It Might Get Loud tells the personal stories, in their own words, of three generations of electric guitar virtuosos – The Edge (U2), Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), and Jack White (The White Stripes). It reveals how each developed his unique sound and style of playing favorite instruments, guitars both found and invented. Concentrating on the artist's musical rebellion, traveling with him to influential locations, provoking rare discussion as to how and why he writes and plays, this film lets you witness intimate moments and hear new music from each artist. The movie revolves around a day when Jimmy Page, Jack White, and The Edge first met and sat down together to share their stories, teach and play.
DocumentaryIt's 1972, a time of social upheaval, radical fervor, and the rise of new religions and communes across the country. The Source Family considers themselves an "Aquarian tribe," a secretive but outlandish group of 140 beautiful young people, devotees of a controversial Hollywood restaurateur-turned-spiritual leader who has 14 wives, drives a Rolls Royce and fronts his own rock band, calling himself "Father Yod." The Family are local legends. By day, they operate the Source restaurant, which serves organic cuisine to John Lennon, Warren Beatty and many influential figures of the time. Behind closed doors in their Hollywood Hills mansion, the Family convene and meditate under the guidance of their spiritual father, Yod. He initiates his sons and daughters into a variety of extreme practices, which cause controversy with local authorities. The Family flees to Hawaii, eventually leading to their dramatic demise.
DocumentaryProduced by the Emmy award-winning Banger Films, ZZ TOP: THAT LITTLE OL’ BAND FROM TEXAS tells the story of how three oddball teenage bluesmen - Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard – became one of the biggest, most beloved bands on the planet, all while maintaining a surrealist mystique that continues to intrigue fans and entice onlookers 50 years after the band’s inception.
Music DocumentariesThe amazingly talented Taylor Swift is more than her catchy pop, country, and rock songs. A life story filled with love and loss, all Taylor-made. Music was her mission fulfilling her wildest dreams.
Music DocumentariesWings for Wheels: The Making of Born to Run chronicles the definitive story of Bruce Springsteen’s breakthrough album from songwriting to production and beyond. Includes archival film shot between 1973 and 1975 but never shown publicly.
DocumentaryREINCARNATED documents the life and career of Calvin Broadus Jr, from his days as a young hustler in Long Beach, to his ascent to international icon Snoop Dogg - through the ups and downs, including the loss of his best friends Tupac and Nate Dogg. Snoop's life has always attracted controversy, though perhaps never more so than after his recent decision to reinvent himself as Snoop Lion. During a trip to Jamaica to record a new reggae-influenced album with Major Lazer, Snoop immerses himself in Jamaican culture, from the backstreets of the crime-ridden Tivoli Gardens to the secret marijuana farms of the Blue Mountains. But it is during an epic baptism from high priests of the Nyabinghi Rastafarian Order that Snoop finds the ultimate high.
DocumentaryWhitney Houston broke more music industry records than any other female singer in history. With over 200 million album sales worldwide, she was the only artist to chart seven consecutive U.S. No. 1 singles. She also starred in several blockbuster movies before her brilliant career gave way to erratic behavior, scandals and death at age 48. The documentary feature Whitney is an intimate, unflinching portrait of Houston and her family that probes beyond familiar tabloid headlines and sheds new light on the spellbinding trajectory of Houston’s life. Using never-before-seen archival footage, exclusive demo recordings, rare performances, audio archives and original interviews with the people who knew her best, Oscar®-winning filmmaker Kevin Macdonald unravels the mystery behind “The Voice,” who thrilled millions even as she struggled to make peace with her own troubled past.
Music DocumentariesA music industry legend for 50 years and a 10-time Grammy-winning global sensation, as well as a recipient of a Kennedy Center Honor and a Billboard Century award, Santana continues to be one of the music world's premiere artists, blending jazz, blues, and the Mariachi sound with a rock n' roll spirituality and a sense of connection to music's primal connection to our deepest emotions. The electric documentary CARLOS utilizes new interviews with Santana and his family alongside extraordinary, never-before-seen archival footage — including home video recordings Santana himself made; concert footage; and behind-the-scenes moments — as two-time Emmy-winning director Rudy Valdez (The Sentence; Through Our Eyes; We Are: The Brooklyn Saints) creates an intimate, rich documentary about a man whose sound casts a spell on fans who love — as one of Santana's famous titles says— “how his rhythm goes.”
Music Documentaries"Trailblazing, hell-raising country music legend Tanya Tucker defied the standards of how a woman in country music was supposed to behave. Decades later, as Tanya slipped from the spotlight, rising Americana music star Brandi Carlile took it upon herself to write an entire album for her hero based on Tanya's extraordinary life, spurring the greatest comeback in country music history. THE RETURN OF TANYA TUCKER follows Tanya's richly creative, utterly captivating, bumpy ride back to the top. Featuring Tanya Tucker and Brandi Carlile."
Documentary"Mavis!" is the first documentary on gospel/soul music legend and civil rights icon Mavis Staples and her family group, The Staple Singers. From the freedom songs of the ’60s and hits like “I’ll Take You There" in the ’70s, to funked-up collaborations with Prince and her recent albums with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, Mavis has stayed true to her roots, kept her family close, and inspired millions along the way. Featuring powerful live performances, rare archival footage, and conversations with friends and contemporaries including Bob Dylan, Prince, Bonnie Raitt, Levon Helm, Jeff Tweedy, Chuck D, and more, MAVIS! reveals the struggles, successes, and intimate stories of her journey. At 75, she's making the most vital music of her career, winning Grammy awards, and reaching a new generation of fans. Her message of love and equality is needed now more than ever.
DocumentaryFrom longtime fans Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio and filmed with extraordinary access over the course of more than two years, May It Last is an intimate portrait of the acclaimed North Carolina band The Avett Brothers, charting their decade-and-a-half rise, while chronicling their present-day collaboration with famed producer Rick Rubin on the multi-Grammy-nominated album “True Sadness,” which was released on American Recordings/Republic Records. With the recording process as a backdrop, the film depicts a lifelong bond and unique creative partnership, as band members undergo marriage, divorce, parenthood, illness, and the challenges of the music business. More than just a music documentary, May It Last is a meditation on family, love, and the passage of time.
Music DocumentariesNarrated by Laurence Fishburne, EVERYDAY SUNSHINE charts the turbulent history of the pioneering all-Black rock band Fishbone. From the streets of South-Central to Hollywood punk clubs and stages around the world, Fishbone rose to become one of the most original bands of the past 25 years—their influence discernible in many of today’s biggest pop acts. An effortlessly entertaining tale of artists following their own creative paths with punk rock endurance in the face of personality conflicts, family and financial woes, and an unforgiving music industry.
DocumentaryIn this follow-up to the 1981 punk rock documentary "The Decline of Western Civilization," filmmaker Penelope Spheeris dissects the world of heavy metal. Through live performance footage and interviews that feature popular hard rock musicians, Spheeris examines the metal genre and the opulent Los Angeles music scene of the late 1980s; highlights include Ozzy Osbourne discussing the tedium of sobriety over breakfast and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler claiming to have spent a small fortune on drugs.
Music Feature Films"Life is But a Dream" is an intimate portrait of global entertainer & businesswoman, Beyoncé. Culled from her archives, video diaries and performances.
DocumentaryPianomania is a film about love, perfection and a little bit of madness. "The tone isn’t breathing." complains pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard, distraught. This is a typical sentence in Steinway & Sons' chief technician and Master Tuner Stefan Knüpfer's normal work day. Each piano has its own personality, each piece demands its own timbre, and every interpretation has a particular temperament. PIANOMANIA takes the viewer along on a humorous journey into the secret world of sounds, and accompanies Stefan Knüpfer at his unusual job with world famous pianists like Lang Lang, Alfred Brendel, Rudolf Buchbinder and Pierre-Laurent Aimand, among others. To find the right instrument with the necessary qualities, compatible with the vision of the virtuoso, to tune it to perfection and finally to get it on the stage, needs nerves of steel, boundless passion, and the extraordinary competence in translating words into sounds. This unusual film by Lilian Franck and Robert Cibis tells – with love
DocumentaryFrom Academy Award winner Alex Gibney, Finding Fela takes a look at Afrobeat creator Fela Kuti and how his life and music inspired an entire continent and brought Pan Africanist politics to the world.
DocumentaryAs the front man of the Clash from 1977 onwards, Joe Strummer changed people's lives forever. Four years after his death, his influence reaches out around the world, more strongly now than ever before. In "The Future Is Unwritten", from British film director Julien Temple, Joe Strummer is revealed not just as a legend or musician, but as a true communicator of our times. Drawing on both a shared punk history and the close personal friendship which developed over the last years of Joe's life, Julien Temple's film is a celebration of Joe Strummer - before, during and after the Clash.
DocumentarySeldom has the genius of one man so influenced the musical conscience of his age. Leonard Bernstein triumphed as composer, conductor, writer and teacher. The spontaneous joy of his Broadway hits, the bold, spiritual quest of his orchestral works, his intensity and vitality as conductor, made Bernstein one of the central figures in 20th-century music. In Leonard Bernstein - Reflections, he discusses his Boston childhood, his musical growth at Harvard and the Curtis Institute and the influence of great masters like Reiner, Mitropoulos and Koussevitzky. He shares his feelings on the primacy of tonal music and speculates on the nature of the creative process. From Carnegie Hall, scene of his début, to the living room of his home and his private studio overlooking New York’s Central Park, Reflections explores the artist’s varied and colourful career.
Music DocumentariesYou know his songs, now discover John Denver's story. A Song's Best Friend: John Denver Remembered joins unseen live footage and interviews with his family and friends to illustrate the life and passions of the beloved singer-songwriter.
Music DocumentariesFrom 1960 to 2002, eight times a week, the Sullivan Street Playhouse in New York City’s Greenwich Village played midwife to a musical theater ritual that attracted theatergoers from across the globe. That show was the legendary and beloved Fantasticks, and for 42 years and 17,162 performances, a legion of casts—including such esteemed actors as F. Murray Abraham, Ricardo Montalban, Elliott Gould, Liza Minnelli, Glenn Close, Richard Chamberlain and John Carradine—played out its sweetly timeless boy-meets-girl tale. On the eve of The Fantasticks’ final Off-Broadway performance, documentary filmmaker Eli Kabillio takes a wistful look back at the show’s genesis, its creators and its continued worldwide popularity through regional and school theater. Features interviews with composer Harvey Schmidt, author Tom Jones, original cast member Jerry Orbach, columnist Liz Smith, talk show host Joe Franklin, and many others.
DocumentaryThe film tells the story of Marcel and Catherine Cellier, who through their own love story, discovered a shared lifelong passion for the music of Eastern Europe. In the midst of the Cold War, the pair sets borders aside, collects and documents, in somewhat adventurous ways, sounds that were up until then completely unknown in the west. With innumerable radio transmissions and millions of sold records, Marcel Cellier makes this collected music internationally known and paves the way to success for musicians like the Romanian pan-flute virtuoso Gheorghe Zamfir and the legendary Bulgarian female vocal choir "Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares ". On the tracks of the Celliers, the film travels to Eastern Europe to again find the protagonists from that time and let the wealth of their music live again. In the contrast of meetings from back then and today, a piece of contemporary history is experienced, which tells about the changes of people and their surroundings as well as the immortality of t
DocumentaryBehind the headlines, beyond the spotlight… lies Justin’s real story. Get to know Justin Bieber as only the lucky few do – honest, funny and totally captivating – through incredible performances and exclusive interviews with the star himself. This is the compelling documentary that goes backstage to reveal Justin’s real story: his insights on evolving as an artist, the relationships that matter most to him, and what it’s like to come of age in the spotlight. It also includes thrilling never-before-seen concert footage, unprecedented behind-the-scenes access and special appearances from manager Scooter Braun, Pattie Mallette and many more.
ComedyCelebrate with Dave Chappelle in the uncensored, unforgettable and unbelievably hilarious full-length movie about throwing the ultimate block party. Join Dave as he travels through the heartland and makes a special stop in his hometown to pass out invitations to attend the event of the decade. It's a front-row seat for outrageous laughs with music from today's hottest artists. Be a part of what Dave Chappelle calls "the best single day of my career!"
DocumentaryBorn into poverty in rural Jamaica, Bob Marley became a prophet for the world's oppressed, preaching peace, love, and understanding with a universal language - song. On what would have been Marley's seventy-fifth birthday, Oscar-winning filmmaker Kevin Macdonald combines unheard tracks, unseen footage, and intimate interviews to paint a definitive portrait of the legendary artist.
Music DocumentariesAn inside look at The Elephant 6 Recording Co., the ’90s rock collective that launched Neutral Milk Hotel, The Olivia Tremor Control, The Apples in Stereo, and other bands. Around 1985, a group of Louisiana high schoolers began experimenting with whatever random instruments and gear they could find. Influenced by psychedelia, and with little to distract them, they birthed a musical revolution.
Music DocumentariesEcho In The Canyon celebrates the explosion of popular music that came out of LA’s Laurel Canyon in the mid-60s as folk went electric and The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield and The Mamas and the Papas gave birth to the California Sound. It was a moment (1965 to 1967) when bands came to LA to emulate The Beatles and Laurel Canyon emerged as a hotbed of creativity and collaboration for a new generation of musicians who would soon put an indelible stamp on the history of American popular music. Featuring Jakob Dylan, the film explores the Laurel Canyon scene via never-before-heard personal details behind the bands and their songs and how that music continues to inspire today. Echo in the Canyon contains candid conversations and performances with Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys), Michelle Phillips (Mamas & the Papas), Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield), David Crosby (The Byrds), Roger McGuinn (The Byrds) their contemporaries Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Graham Nash and slightly
DocumentaryOn a snowy night in February 1972, celebrated jazz musician Lee Morgan was shot dead by his common-law wife Helen during a gig at a club in New York City. The murder sent shockwaves through the jazz community, and the memory of the event still haunts those who knew the Morgans. This feature documentary by filmmaker Kasper Collin is a love letter to two unique personalities and the music that brought them together. This is a film about love, jazz and America.
Documentary“Wish You Were Here”, released in September 1975, was the follow up album to the globally successful “The Dark Side Of The Moon” and is cited by many fans, as well as band members Richard Wright and David Gilmour, as their favorite Pink Floyd album. On release it went straight to Number One in both the UK and the US and topped the charts in many other countries around the world. This program tells the story of the making of this landmark release through new interviews with Roger Waters, David Gilmour and Nick Mason and archive interviews with the late Richard Wright. Also featured are sleeve designer Storm Thorgerson, guest vocalist Roy Harper, front cover “burning man” Ronnie Rondell and others involved in the creation of the album. In addition, original recording engineer Brian Humphries revisits the master tapes at Abbey Road Studios to illustrate aspects of the songs’ construction.
DocumentarySongwriter is an intimate and personal look into the writing process of one of the worlds leading artists – Ed Sheeran. Filmed by his cousin Murray Cummings, Songwriter details the creation of Ed’s third studio album “Divide” and gives an authentic insight into Ed’s life through never before seen home videos. Witness first hand the creativity, from the very first chord to the finishing touch – as the sounds become the songs.
Music DocumentariesJustin Timberlake became more than just a music superstar; he became the consummate entertainer and Renaissance man. With film roles including the critically acclaimed "Social Network, " as well as successful stints on "SNL, " he has shown how truly versatile he is as a performer.
Music DocumentariesThe mother through the daughter’s eyes - a family portrait blending intimate conversations, agreements and disagreements, and shred ties of sounds and blood. This intimate portrait of two musical giants by Martha Argerichs daughter Stéphanie has been filmed over two decades and around the world: Warsaw, where Martha Argerich won the Chopin competition first prize; Japan, which hosts a unique Argerich festival; London, where Stephen Kovacevich, Stéphanies father, lives, works and enjoys intensively Indian food; Belgium, where Martha lives in a house filled with pianos and cats; Argentina, which she left at the age of twelve to study in Vienna, but still conceals valuable family treasures; Switzerland, where Stéphanie and her sister Lyda are currently living. Made up of documentary sequences focusing on the two characters of Martha and Stephen in their everyday lives, in rehearsal and in performance, the film willbe largely given over to intimate, delicious anecdotes, and a few scen
DocumentaryJOHN FARNHAM: FINDING THE VOICE tells the untold story of an Australian music icon. In this first authorized biopic, we follow Farnham's life from the quiet suburbs of Melbourne to '60s pop fame, through incredible highs and lows, and ultimately to record-breaking success as 'Australia's Voice.' This powerful documentary tracks Farnham's personal and public journey to his current status as Australia's greatest and most beloved musical artist.
Concert FilmsThe Jonas Brothers film will feature coverage from their "Burning Up" concert tour, as well as documentary material on the lives of the three brothers, Kevin, Joe, and Nick.
DocumentaryJohn Kaizan Neptune was a young California surfer when he discovered the shakuhachi, a traditional Japanese bamboo flute, which changed his life forever. As an outsider in 1970s Japan, he dived into tradition headfirst and blew open the potential of this ancient instrument in a way no-one had before. Directed by his son, this inside story delves deep into the life of an artist and the price he paid to cross cultural borders and become a pivotal figure in the evolution of this rare art form.
DocumentaryThe incredible story of a tiny Alabama recording studio that produced some of greatest hits of all time. Aretha Franklin, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Percy Sledge, Alicia Keys, Bono and more bear witness to its magic.
DocumentaryOn Thanksgiving Day, 1976, The Band gave its farewell concert at Winterland in San Francisco. On hand to help say goodbye to this influential rock group were some of the most acclaimed musicians of the late 1960s and '70s. This film is not only a vibrant documentary of that historic evening, but also a commentary on the rock world at the time. Most of the picture is concert footage of The Band and their guest performers -- highlighted by interviews with members of the group, who eloquently articulate their personal involvement in the history of rock and roll.
Music DocumentariesIn 1962 four young men - John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr - came together to form the 20th century musical phenomenon known as 'The Beatles'. The band stormed Europe in 1963 and, in 1964, they conquered America. Their groundbreaking world tours changed global youth culture forever and, arguably, invented mass entertainment as we know it today. All the while, the group were composing and recording a series of extraordinarily successful singles and albums. However, the relentless pressure of such unprecedented fame (which in 1966 became uncontrollable turmoil) led to the decision to stop touring. In the ensuing years The Beatles were then free to focus on a series of albums that changed the face of recorded music. Master storyteller and Oscar winner, Ron Howard, explores this incredible journey in his own unique way: How did The Beatles do this? How did they cope with all the fame and pressure? How did they not only survive, but go on to revolutionise popular
DocumentaryThe Rolling Stones' record-breaking 1981 arena tour from director Hal Ashby (Shampoo). Featuring 25 of the biggest Rolling Stones' songs from the first 20 years, "The Rolling Stones: Let's Spend the Night Together" gives, in the words of Mick Jagger, "a feel of what it's like to be there" as 20 cameras take you onstage with the band in this groundbreaking, dynamic tour.
DocumentaryJoan Baez I Am A Noise is an unusually intimate psychological portrait of legendary musician and activist Joan Baez. Neither a conventional biopic nor a traditional concert film, this immersive documentary follows Baez on her final tour and delves into her extraordinary archive, including newly discovered home movies, diaries, artwork, therapy tapes, and audio recordings. Throughout the film, Baez is remarkably revealing about her life on and off stage – from her lifelong emotional struggles to her civil rights work with MLK and a heartbreaking romance with a young Bob Dylan. A searingly honest look at a living legend, this film is a compelling and deeply personal exploration of an icon who has never told the full truth of her life, as she experienced it, until now.
DocumentaryA sound that defined a genre, shattered stereotypes and forever changed popular culture.As the first multi-platinum-selling, all-female band to play their own instruments, write their own songs and have a #1 album, The Go-Go’s are the definitive female rock band. Director Alison Ellwood digs deep into the annals of Go-Go’s history, revealing all their hard work and exciting times, along with the messy truths and painful consequences, while never losing sight of their accomplishments. To this day, The Go-Go’s live on as the band who paved the way for female musicians in the music industry.
Music DocumentariesIn July 2008, Billy Joel performed the last concert ever held at Shea Stadium. The Last Play at Shea chronicles the waning days of the ballpark through a tapestry of performance, historical documentary, and personal journey. The film weaves interviews with players and performers with exclusive concert footage. Guests include Tony Bennett, Garth Brooks, John Mayer, Roger Daltrey, and more.
Music DocumentariesA full length documentary film of the untold story of one of the most successful American rock bands of their era. In-depth interviews of all 6 original members, along with never-before-seen footage, recount their rise as only they could tell it.
DocumentaryThis episode of the CLASSIC ALBUMS series takes a track-by-track look at the making of the record with both Reed and his engineer Ken Scott poring over the original multi-tracks for the album. Additionally, there is archival footage of the Velvet Underground, an interview with the Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart and a discussion with bassist Herbie Flowers about the origins of the famous bassline for “Walk on the Wild Side. ”
Music DocumentariesIn the mid-1960s the often rigid and colourless British way of life was irrevocably transformed by the emergence of a cultural underground movement. Led by a loose collective of young radicals, they introduced new social, sexual and aesthetic perspectives. Operating out of the heart of London, their various activities, from 'The International Times' - a bi-weekly journal that no hipster could be seen without - to the psychedelic nightclub UFO, promoted alternative lifestyles and values, and sparked a social revolution. This film not only traces the history of this underground scene, but also explores its impact on the pre-eminent British group of the era, The Beatles. Although they were well established by the time the movement emerged, Paul McCartney in particular, was closely linked with several of its key players, and through his exposure to cutting edge concepts brought ideas directly from the avant-garde into the mainstream. Featuring many new interviews with key players from the
DocumentaryMusic lovers will be astonished at the influence The Wrecking Crew wielded over rock and pop music in the 1960s and early 1970s. These unsung instrumentalists were the de-facto backing band on hit records by The Beach Boys, Phil Spector, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Sonny & Cher, Elvis, The Monkees and many more. These dedicated musicians brought the flair and musicianship that made the American “West Coast Sound” a dominant cultural force around the world.
DocumentaryWhat makes a film score unforgettable? Featuring Hans Zimmer, James Cameron, Danny Elfman, John Williams, Quincy Jones, Trent Reznor, Howard Shore, Rachel Portman, Thomas Newman, Randy Newman, Leonard Maltin, and the late James Horner and Garry Marshall, SCORE: A FILM MUSIC DOCUMENTARY brings Hollywood's elite composers together to give viewers a privileged look inside the musical challenges and creative secrecy of the world's most international music genre: the film score. A film composer is a musical scientist of sorts, and the influence they have to complement a film and garner powerful reactions from global audiences can be a daunting task to take on. The documentary contains interviews with dozens of film composers who discuss their craft and the magic of film music while exploring the making of the most iconic and beloved scores in history: “James Bond”, “Star Wars,” “Indiana Jones,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Titanic,” “The Social Network,” “Mad Max:
Music DocumentariesAcademy Award-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese and the world's greatest rock n' roll band, The Rolling Stones, unite to bring audiences the year's most extraordinary film event, "Shine a Light." With special appearances by Christina Aguilera, Jack White and Buddy Guy, and four Rolling Stones performances not seen in theaters, Shine a Light is a must-own for rock n' roll fans across generations.
Music DocumentariesFrom the Oscar winning producers of Amy comes this essential and entertaining look at the meteoric rise of the seminal 90s rock band Oasis. The film immerses us in the raucous rock stars’ fast-paced world of electrifying music, wild debauchery, and epic fraternal feuding, weaving never-before-seen concert footage with candid interviews and an astonishing firsthand account of the backstage sibling rivalry that threatened to destroy the band.
DramaA revealing and deeply personal documentary exploring the life and creative renaissance of music icon David Crosby. A cultural force for over fifty years, Crosby faced an uncertain future after the 2015 dissolution of Crosby, Stills and Nash. Racked with health issues and personal obstacles, Crosby forged a new path at the age of 76. Seeking out younger musicians and recording a pair of critically-praised new albums, Crosby now sets out to make a mark in a world now so different from the generation he came to define in the 60's. With unflinching honesty, self-examination, regret, fear, exuberance and an unshakable belief in family and the transformative nature of music, Crosby shares his often-challenging journey with humor and bite. This inspirational story, filled with music, will speak to loyal fans, and legions of new ones.
DocumentaryWith unfettered access to the Zappa Vault and all its archival footage, Zappa explores the private life behind the mammoth musical career that never shied away from the political turbulence of its time. Alex Winter’s assembly features appearances by Frank’s widow Gail Zappa and several of Frank’s musical collaborators including Mike Keneally, Ian Underwood, Steve Vai, Pamela Des Barres, Bunk Gardner, David Harrington, Scott Thunes, Ruth Underwood, Ray White and others.
DocumentaryA startling and powerful new film derived from 200 hours of footage, stills & heretofore unpublished music from John Lennon's and Yoko Ono's personal collection. A moving and revealing look at a man who was a musician, artist, writer, poet, and whose fame lives on.
Music DocumentariesKathleen Hanna, lead singer of the punk band Bikini Kill and dance-punk trio Le Tigre, rose to national attention as the reluctant but never shy voice of the riot grrrl movement. She became one of the most famously outspoken feminist icons, a cultural lightning rod. Her critics wished she would just shut-up, and her fans hoped she never would. So in 2005, when Hanna stopped shouting, many wondered why. Through 20 years of archival footage and intimate interviews with Hanna, THE PUNK SINGER takes viewers on a fascinating tour of contemporary music and offers a never-before-seen view into the life of this fearless leader.
DocumentarySpringsteen’s first studio album in five years, Western Stars marks a departure for the legendary singer/songwriter while still drawing on his roots. Touching on themes of love and loss, loneliness and family and the inexorable passage of time, the documentary film evokes the American West—both the mythic and the hardscrabble—weaving archival footage and Springsteen’s personal narration with song to tell the story of Western Stars.
DocumentaryAcclaimed producer David Wolper ("Roots," "The Thorn Birds," "North and South") brings us the first fully authorized look at the man behind the myth. This definitive biography of the legendary hero combines documentary footage with sequences of actors playing Presley at various stages of his life. Including 38 of Presley's greatest hits; it's the Elvis movie the fans have been waiting for. From the director of the acclaimed rock documentary, "Imagine: John Lennon."
DocumentaryThe life and career of rock ‘n’ roll icon Joan Jett from her early years ripping it up onstage as the founder and backbone of hard-rock legends The Runaways, to her long time collaboration with Kenny Laguna as Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, and her enduring presence in pop culture as a rock pioneer and mentor. With her inimitable singles “I Love Rock N’ Roll,” and “Bad Reputation” Joan Jett inspired a generation of young women to rock.
DocumentaryCelebrated photographer, creative director and filmmaker Anton Corbijn’s first feature documentary SQUARING THE CIRCLE (THE STORY OF HIPGNOSIS) tells the story of Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey “Po” Powell, the creative geniuses behind the iconic album art design studio, Hipgnosis, responsible for some of the most recognizable album covers of all time, including ""The Dark Side of the Moon"" and ""Band on the Run."" They formed Hipgnosis in Cambridge during the ferment of the sixties and became rock royalty during the boom time of the seventies. They conjured into existence sights that no one had previously thought possible, produced visuals which popularized music that had previously been considered fringe, and were at the white-hot center of the maddest, funniest and most creative era in the history of popular music. During this period, record companies didn’t dictate to acts like Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Paul McCartney what their LP covers should look like -
IndependentOn a beautiful June weekend in 1967, at the height of the Summer of Love, the first and only Monterey International Pop Festival roared forward, capturing a decade’s spirit and ushering in a new era of rock and roll. Monterey would launch the careers of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Otis Redding, but they were just a few among a wildly diverse cast that included Simon and Garfunkel, the Mamas and the Papas, the Who, the Byrds, Hugh Masekela, and the extraordinary Ravi Shankar. With his characteristic vérité style, D. A. Pennebaker captured it all, immortalizing moments that have become legend: Pete Townshend destroying his guitar, Jimi Hendrix burning his. The Criterion Collection is proud to present this timeless document of a landmark event.
DocumentaryDuring the 1990s, Stretch and Bobbito introduced the world to an unsigned Nas, Biggie, Wu-Tang, and Big Pun as well as an unknown Jay-Z, Eminem, and the Fugees. The total record sales for all the artists that premiered on their radio show exceed 300 million. The late night program had a cult following in the art/fashion world and prison population as well. All would loyally tune in for the humor just as much for the exclusive tunes. Stretch and Bobbito brought a unique audience together, and created a platform that changed music forever.
Documentary"Salad Days: A Decade of Punk in Washington, DC (1980-90)" examines the early DIY punk scene in the Nation's Capital. It was a decade when seminal bands like Bad Brains, Minor Threat, Government Issue, Scream, Void, Faith, Rites of Spring, Marginal Man, Fugazi, and others released their own records and booked their own shows-without major record label constraints or mainstream media scrutiny. Contextually, it was a cultural watershed that predated the alternative music explosion of the 1990s (and the industry's subsequent implosion). Thirty years later, DC's original DIY punk spirit serves as a reminder of the hopefulness of youth, the power of community and the strength of conviction.
DocumentaryFrom Banger Films, the creators of “Iron Maiden: Flight 666” and “Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage, ” comes “Super Duper Alice Cooper” the story of Vincent Furnier, the preacher’s son who struck fear into the hearts of parents everywhere as Alice Cooper, the most outrageous rock star of his generation. This unique “doc opera, ” a dizzying blend of documentary archive footage, animation and rock opera goes from the early days of Alice as the frontman for a cutting edge rock band in the sixties through the hazy decadence of global celebrity in the seventies and on to his winking comeback as the glam metal godfather in the eighties. This is the tale of Alice and Vincent battling for each other’s souls. “Super Duper Alice Cooper” combines audio interviews with a wealth of archive Alice Cooper footage covering concerts, TV appearances, movie cameos, dramatic headlines and magazine spreads. All the highlights of his career are covered aided by contributions from some of
DocumentaryThis documentary traces how popular music helped propel Jimmy Carter to the White House, and the significant role that music has played in President Carter’s life and work.