There’s no denying that one of, if not the best winter activity is to wrap yourself in warm layers, get super comfy, and watch as many brilliant productions on the big screen as humanly possible.
The crew behind Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) are totally down with this notion and have once again curated a stunning programme of unmissable cinema to satisfy your needs, as it takes over Melbourne’s silver screens from July 31st – August 18th.
We love a good music movie around these parts, so we’ve delved into MIFF 2014’s Backbeat music programme to handpick the must-see films for music fans this year.
Note, there are two glaring omissions from the following list – left-field Nick Cave documentary 20,000 Days On Earth and the Elliott Smith Heaven Adores You documentary – chiefly because both screenings are in such popular demand that they’ve already sold out. Boo!
So, those two giants aside, let us introduce to you the eight other music movies that you’ve got to check out this August, ranging from docos and biopics to lighthearted narratives directed by rock stars and harrowing slices of celluloid. Dig in then get booking (full ticket details at bottom).
Breadcrumb Trails
In what is already being hailed as his finest work yet, Lance Bangs has produced Breadcrumb Trails, the story of post-rock innovators, Slint. This documentary focuses on the groups seminal sophomore release of 1991, Spiderland, as it delves deep into the four lives of the Louisville youngsters and how they arrived at such a landmark sound. Exploring original VHS footage as well as two decades worth of interviews with band members, parents and superfans including Steve Albini, Fugazi’s Ian MacKaye and Jesus Lizard’s David Yow (all of whom reveal their influence and adoration of the band) Breadcrumb Trails has been touted as the most compelling music docos to hit the big screen.
The Possibilities Are Endless
The Possibilities Are Endless is the harrowing and utterly inspiring story of Edwyn Collins, the singer-song writer of Scottish post-punk outfit, Orange Juice. Directed by James Hall and Edward Lovelace, this documentary tells the unbelievable story Collins from 2005, on the brink of death, losing his memory and the ability to speak any words save “yes”, “no”, the name of his wife and the title of this film, “the possibilities are endless.” The film is narrated by Collins himself as he recounts his glory days of success, his terrifying battle of near-death experience and his brave journey to make back to the performing platform. This will pull at your heart-strings in the most sincerest of ways.
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Jimi: All By My Side
A film about the legendary Jimi Hendrix, with Andre Benjamin aka Andre 3000 from Outkast staring as the guitar hero himself? It sells itself really, doesn’t it. What if you throw in the fact that this film was directed by none other than Academy Award winning director John Ridley (of 12 Years A Slave fame.) Jimi: All By My Side tells the formative story of Hendrix before became the iconic face of sixties-psychedelic, recounting the days spent in London rubbing shoulders with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, his twisted relationships, success and failures that all lead to the legendary appearance of Monetary Pop Festival where the shining star born.
Time Is Illmatic
Three words spat from Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, aka Nas, on his incendiary track ‘The World Is Yours,’ taken from what is arguably the greatest hiphop record of all time, Illmatic. This very special feature details the story of the New York City poet of the Queensbridge projects and the coming together of his seminal debut release. Penned and produced at the mere age of 17, this documentary traces the story of the urban poet as he witnessed peers succumb to drugs, prison and worse, transcending all he saw and encountered into what would become the ultimate epitome rap and hiphop.
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Come Worry With Us!
A feature that documents the story of Jessica Moss and Efrim Menuck, both members of the experimental Canadian outfit Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra, Menuck with dual obligations in fellow post-rock collective, Godspeed You! Black Emperor. The film tracks their life on the touring road, but with a twist: they’ve got their son with them too. This compelling documentary takes what may seems like the standard pressures of parenthood and thrusts it into the live music spectrum. Director Helene Klodawsky beautifully captures the anxieties of two souls trying to commit to raising their son, whilst maintaining their creative integrity and making a living from their artistic ventures.
God Help The Girl
The first fictional film directed by Stuart Murdoch, lead vocalist and songwriter of Scottish indie-pop outfit, Belle & Sebastian, God Help The Girl tells the narrative of Eve (Emily Brown) whom escapes from a hospital where she’s being treated for depression, making her way to Glasgow to fulfil her dreams of forming a band. In her way, she recruits James (Olly Alexander) and nutcase Cassie (Hannah Murray) whom come together to form a nutty band of misfits, playing out like a whimsical Belle & Sebastian song itself. This is your quintessential indie feel-good film of 2014.
Silk
Best described as a “one-of-a-kind electronic-music tour film” that focuses on the LA-based dance label 100% Silk, as its leading woman Amanda Brown and director Benjamin Shear collaborate to take us all on an adventure through the underground world dance music scene of Berlin, Moscow and Bristol. This film encompasses every aspect of art, from dance to music, to fashion and drama, this isn’t just 90-minutes of bass-blaring techno, but the telling of a culture and a dire passion for an intricate aspect of live music.
Keep On Keepin’ On
Touted to be a kleenex necessity of the Backbeat programme. The documentary is entirely set around two musicians and their incredible bond over their one passion in life: jazz music. The first, Clark Terry, a legendary trumpet player who mentored the likes of Miles Davis and Quincey Jones and Herbie Hancock. The second, the young Justin Kauflin, Terry’s newfound protégé. The unlikely pair are both blind, and Keep On Keepin’ On captures the heart-warming teacher-student relationship as they share all of their musical knowledge and lessons completely through verbal sound. The piece has been directed by Australia’s Alan Hicks, and has already won the Best New Documentary Director Award at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival, as well as the Audience Award for Documentary.
Melbourne International Film Festival 2014 Programme
Breadcrumb Trails
Friday 1st August – Tickets
Friday 15th August – Tickets
The Possibilities Are Endless
Saturday 2nd August – Tickets
Saturday 16th August – Tickets
Jimi: All By My Side
Friday 8th August – Tickets
Saturday 16th August – Tickets
Time Is Illmatic
Saturday 9th August- Tickets
Tuesday 12th August – Tickets
Come Worry With Us!
Wednesday 13th August – Tickets
Saturday 16th August – Tickets
God Help The Girl
Friday 8th August – Tickets
Tuesday 12th August – Tickets
Silk
Saturday 2nd August – Tickets
Saturday 16th August – Tickets
Keep On Keepin’ On
Monday 4th August – Tickets
Saturday 9th August – Tickets
