Amy and other great music films

These past months saw a music industry in turmoil over hard-to-cope-with changes worldwide. For some strange reason, while all those were happening, the movie industry took it upon itself to come up with a number of memorable films about music figures and events. These are documentaries, the sort of movies we ran away from watching as kids.  Not likely any one would run from these ones though. I think. Not only are these films interesting takes on the music business, they are also mostly about popular pop stars. 

The only problem I have with these movies is that I do not know if these will have theatrical releases in Manila. Seeing Amy Winehouse, warts and all on the big screen, would be fantastic. But if there is no chance of that then I recommend that you look for the videos or catch them on the web. I know movies on the big screen become an experience but a small one is better than none at all and these titles should not be missed.

Amy, also known as The Girl Behind the Name. Directed by British filmmaker Asif Kapadia, this now highest-grossing documentary in the UK and all of Europe chronicles the short, tragic life of the sensational singer Amy Winehouse.  She was found dead from alcohol poisoning in her London apartment on July 23, 2011.  She was only 27 years old and on the threshold of major stardom. 

Asif does not try to come up with reasons for her death nor does he try to analyze why. He just lays down the facts through home movies, previously unseen performance footage,  interviews and Amy’s own words. He follows her from her early teens to her broken marriage, recording success with albums, Frank and Back To Black, her bouts with bulimia, drugs, alcohol and bad relationships to the aftermath of her demise.

Amy’s life makes for compelling viewing and Asif’s terse, matter-of-fact approach has already resulted in several awards including as Critics’ Choice for Best Documentary Feature. It has also been nominated for Best Music Film at the forthcoming Grammys, for Outstanding British Film and Best Documentary Feature at the British Academy Film Awards and for Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards.

All Things Must Pass. Directed by Tom Hanks’ son, Colin, this nostalgic film tells of the rise and fall of the mighty Tower Records. The store’s motto was “No music, no life.” Remember how there was only one place to go to when you wanted the latest music, the great books, the most exciting videos? You go to Tower Records. Then suddenly, it is not there anymore, a casualty of digital downloads.

Told with a rock music soundtrack and photos, Hanks has Tower founder Russ Solomon himself telling the story. The chain store opened in California during the ’60s and later had branches in countries all over the world.  There was one in Makati. It is quite a tale replete with anecdotes and recollections from celebrity customers like Elton John and Bruce Springsteen to business decisions that proved fatal in the long run like overexpansion and unpaid creditors. Sad but vinyl has made a comeback so maybe, Tower Records will be around again one of these days.

Montage of Heck. Directed by Brett Morgan, the film is also about the short and also tragic life of grunge legend Kurt Cobain of the rock band Nirvana. This was made with the cooperation of Kurt’s family and Brett was given full access to all of Kurt’s recordings, films, drawings, writings, etc. In fact, it was from a musical collage Kurt created with a four-track cassette tape that the title Montage of Heck comes from. 

An experienced documentarian, Morgan does not coat the facts. Unlike Asif with Amy though, he comes up with answers. Kurt was a troubled boy who needed family and friends but they all chose to stay at arms length away from him. His wife Courtney was in the best position to help turn his life around but she was another troubled soul. The sight of them bingeing on drugs while starting to raise a family is most disturbing. 

That is actually the whole film. Beautifully made. Honest but disturbing.

Next the music film to watch out for is: Michael Jackson’s Journey From Motown to Off The Wall. Here it is with help from director Spike Lee, plus interviewees Patti Austin, Carol Bayer Sager, Kobe Bryant and other notables, a look into how MJ made that crucial move from Motown to Sony with Quincy Jones, who got him started on the way to becoming The King of Pop with the album Off The Wall.