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Project Detail

The American Epic Sessions

Synopsis

This film is a haunting collision of past and present, presided over by the high priests of the great tradition of American music, Jack White and T Bone Burnett, who also executive produced with Robert Redford. Long before digital file sharing, MP3, compact discs, tape and vinyl, a machine was forged from ingenuity. The Western Electric lathe, a marvel of analogue engineering operated by a weight and pulleys, pioneered the recording of American music. In an old Hollywood studio, one has been lovingly reassembled. In it, White gathers an extraordinary convocation of musical superstars, all keen to cut a record in the unforgiving three minutes the Western Electric provides. Featuring live performances from Elton John, Nas, Willie Nelson, Alabama Shakes, Steve Martin, Ana Gabriel, Merle Haggard, Taj Mahal and many more. (LFF brochure)
BFI London Film Festival 2015 - World premiere

Details

Year
2015
Type of project
Features
Running time
140 mins
Director
Bernard MacMahon
Producer
Duke Erikson, Bill Holderman, Bernard MacMahon, Allison McGourty, Anthony Wall
Screenwriter
Duke Erikson, Bernard MacMahon, Allison McGourty

Genre

Music Dance

Categories

Documentary

Production Status

Complete

Production Company

UK, US coproduction

Lo-Max Films (UK), BBC Arena (UK), Wildwood Enterprises (US), Thirteen for WNET (US)

Lo-Max Films

Allison McGourty

Sales Company

c/o Lo-Max Films

Allison McGourty

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Biography