Projects in genres: Music

Synopsis

“CLAPTON IS GOD”. With these words graffitied across London, Eric Clapton became the ultimate guitar hero. He is the only ever three-time-inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an 18-time Grammy Award-winner, and widely renowned as one of the greatest performers of all time. But behind the scenes lay restlessness and tragedy. The insatiable search to grow his artistic voice left fans surprised as he constantly quit successful bands, from the groundbreaking Yardbirds to 1960s super-group Cream. His isolated pursuit of his craft, and fear of selling out, served as a catalyst for his evolution as an artist.
Stretching from his traumatic childhood living in a “house of secrets”, to his long and difficult struggle with drugs and alcohol, and the tragic loss of his son in a heart-breaking accident, Eric Clapton always found an inner strength and healing in music. Told through his own words and songs, as well as those of his family, friends, musical collaborators, contemporaries and many heroes – including BB King, Jimi Hendrix and George Harrison.
Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2017 - TIFF Docs - World premiere

Synopsis

A vivid portrait of Tom Sietas, a world record in Static Apnea, the ability to hold one’s breath underwater. Combining underwater imagery with a contemporary dance sequence the film reveals what drives Tom to push his body to such physical extremes; for Tom to deny breath is to find life.
Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2017 - Experimenta Strand - World premiere

Synopsis

STOOGE is a feature documentary about Robert Pargiter, Iggy Pop's No1 fan. It covers the three years leading up to his 50th birthday when he tries to track his hero down in a final absolution. His journey has taken him all over the world in search of redemption after years of struggling with addiction, of coping with depression, and of celebrating the communal lust that is Rock 'n’ Roll.

Synopsis

The film is a documentary on the urban folk musician Susmit Bose who initiated Urban folk music in India in late 1960s. However, he never got his due. With a career spanning for more than 5 decades, Susmit Bose is still declining his share in the limelight and lives a humble life despite his contribution to world music in India.

Synopsis

An experimental narrative film that paints a portrait of Japanese performance artist Ayumi Lanoire.
The film opens as a telephone call between the subject and Person X, which meanders and leads the audience through the various layers that make up her persona leading one to question whether she is, in fact, a myth or reality.

Synopsis

Sparks find themselves in 1930s Paris in pursuit of something just beyond their grasp.

Synopsis

An electrifying journey through the performance, private and public worlds of pop cultural icon Grace Jones. Jones’ bold aesthetic echoes throughout as director Sophie Fiennes creates a powerful cinematic experience, contrasting musical sequences with intimate personal footage and reaching beyond her iconic mask.
The film includes unique performances of her iconic hits 'Slave To The Rhythm' and 'Pull Up To The Bumper' as well as more recent autobiographical tracks, 'Williams' Blood', 'This Is' and 'Hurricane'. These personal songs link to the film’s narrative that follows Grace on a holiday road trip across her native Jamaica where the story of her traumatic childhood are uncovered.
Her stage is the fixed point to which the film returns, with 'Love Is The Drug' acting like an aria, bringing the film to its final and most touching scenes, including an encounter with French photographer Jean Paul Goude, father of Jones’ son Paulo and creator of her iconic album covers.
This is a Grace we have not seen before, someone who reminds us of what it is to dare to be truly alive. In all her apparent contradictions, Grace Jones may appear an exception, but she is also a point of identification: she is the exception that proves the rule.
Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2017 - TIFF Docs - World premiere

Synopsis

A darkly comic fable in the style of an old magic lantern show with each scene hand-painted as the lantern glass slides would be, with music by Tom Fazzini.

Synopsis

Steven, better known as Morrissey, frontman of iconic band The Smiths, is a restless young man struggling to escape his working class roots. He dreams of being in a band, writing music and flying clear of the daily grind.
One evening lurking in the shadows at a gig he meets Linder: artistic, literate, intelligent, she is all he sees in himself They fast become confidants, his courage and sense of purpose increasing day by day. Suddenly a chance encounter with guitarist Billy leads to a first gig. But Billy and Linder cannot support Steven forever, each making their own escape to the bright lights of London. Can Steven find his own path?
Edinburgh International FIlm Festival 2017 - World premiere

Synopsis

A young man who is addicted to watching TV goes insane after becoming obsessed with a colleague. He disfigures himself and starts a rampage.

Synopsis

An unlikely gang of teenagers goes on the run from dysfunctional parents to an island music festival, where the rules of the real world don't apply.
Edinburgh International FIlm Festival 2017 - World premiere

Synopsis

First brought together by their shared love of music, ten years later Liam and Natalie have reached a breaking point. Opposites attract, but aren’t necessarily working long-term. Liam, a struggling musician, cannot let go of his vinyl collection and refuses to adapt to a world of smartphones and instant downloads. Natalie has let go of her dream of designing album covers and has become a rising star at her advertising firm. As they make the difficult decision to separate, they start by splitting their prized music library, but the soundtrack that defined their relationship keeps pulling them back together.
Adapted by Philip Gawthorne from his award-winning play.
Edinburgh International FIlm Festival 2017 - World premiere