Nothing fits the music documentary format quite so compellingly as a life cut tragically short. In addition to the ready-made dramatic arc, a subject who leaves this mortal coil before their time usually also leaves a certain amount of mystery in their wake, providing ample grist for filmmakers (and the folks they interview) to chew on.
Even when the hows and whys of an artist's tragic exit are a matter of uncontroversial record, questions of "What might have been?" inevitably linger over their prematurely truncated discography — in itself a far...
Even when the hows and whys of an artist's tragic exit are a matter of uncontroversial record, questions of "What might have been?" inevitably linger over their prematurely truncated discography — in itself a far...
- 12/31/2015
- Rollingstone.com
Mushroom Pictures is staging event screenings this month of a documentary on Us singer/songwriter Elliott Smith who died in 2003, aged 34.
Directed by Nickolas Rossi, Heaven Adores You is the first comprehensive film about the prolific musician, featuring more than 30 interviews with Smith.s closest friends and collaborators.
It.s also the first film that was allowed to use Smith.s catalogue . including 20 previously unreleased pieces of music.
The ex-Heatmiser guitarist made his solo name with 1994.s acoustic debut Roman Candle, released via Kill Rock Stars.
Living in Portland, he quickly rose to mainstream prominence when his song Miss Misery . included in the soundtrack for the film Good Will Hunting --. was nominated for Best Original Song at the 1998 Oscars.
Through his career Smith struggled with depression and drug use, eventually committing suicide in Los Angeles from two stab wounds to the chest. The film focuses on Elliott.s life and music.
Directed by Nickolas Rossi, Heaven Adores You is the first comprehensive film about the prolific musician, featuring more than 30 interviews with Smith.s closest friends and collaborators.
It.s also the first film that was allowed to use Smith.s catalogue . including 20 previously unreleased pieces of music.
The ex-Heatmiser guitarist made his solo name with 1994.s acoustic debut Roman Candle, released via Kill Rock Stars.
Living in Portland, he quickly rose to mainstream prominence when his song Miss Misery . included in the soundtrack for the film Good Will Hunting --. was nominated for Best Original Song at the 1998 Oscars.
Through his career Smith struggled with depression and drug use, eventually committing suicide in Los Angeles from two stab wounds to the chest. The film focuses on Elliott.s life and music.
- 11/10/2015
- by Staff writer
- IF.com.au
Michael Gudinski.s Mushroom group is re-activating its theatrical distribution arm, kicking off with the documentaries Unity and Heaven Adores Us.
Writer-director Shaun Monsoon.s Unity explores the themes of love, tragedy and hope as it examines humanity.s impact on the world.
The cast of 100 narrators includes Ellen DeGeneres, Geoffrey Rush, Jennifer Aniston, Adrian Grenier, Kevin Spacey, Helen Mirren, Amanda Seyfried, Rose Byrne, Minnie Driver, Missy Higgins, Moby, Olivia Wilde, Phil Donahue, Portia de Rossi and Susan Sarandon.
Mushroom Distribution has booked 21 cinemas and the limited season begins on August 12 in a simultaneous worldwide release.
The venues include the Jam Factory, Cinema Nova and Rivoli in Melbourne; Event Cinemas George Street, Palace Cinemas Leichardt and the Chauvel in Sydney; Palace Centro in Brisbane; Palace East End in Adelaide; and Cinema Paradiso in Perth. A New Zealand season will follow.
Mushroom.s Kate Gudinski decided to buy the rights for...
Writer-director Shaun Monsoon.s Unity explores the themes of love, tragedy and hope as it examines humanity.s impact on the world.
The cast of 100 narrators includes Ellen DeGeneres, Geoffrey Rush, Jennifer Aniston, Adrian Grenier, Kevin Spacey, Helen Mirren, Amanda Seyfried, Rose Byrne, Minnie Driver, Missy Higgins, Moby, Olivia Wilde, Phil Donahue, Portia de Rossi and Susan Sarandon.
Mushroom Distribution has booked 21 cinemas and the limited season begins on August 12 in a simultaneous worldwide release.
The venues include the Jam Factory, Cinema Nova and Rivoli in Melbourne; Event Cinemas George Street, Palace Cinemas Leichardt and the Chauvel in Sydney; Palace Centro in Brisbane; Palace East End in Adelaide; and Cinema Paradiso in Perth. A New Zealand season will follow.
Mushroom.s Kate Gudinski decided to buy the rights for...
- 8/11/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Festival’s world premieres include Roxette Diaries, Taikon, Odödliga and Drottninglandet.Scroll down for full line-up
Sweden’s Way Out West Festival (Aug 13-15) will include the world premiere of Jonas Akerlund’s Roxette Diaries, about one of Sweden’s most popular bands.
“They are one of the biggest bands to come out of Sweden, and this film shows them in a new light. It was filmed during their tours from 1988 to 1995, and of course with Jonas Akerlund directing, it has a real art feel to it, he’s very brave with this material,” Svante Tidholm, Way Out West’s Head of Film Programming told Screen.
Another world premiere at the Gothenburg-based film and music festival will be Taikon, a documentary about civil rights activist and author Katarina Taikon. “She was one of the pioneers of human rights for the Romany community. It’s an amazing story and she’s an amazing character,” Tidholm added.
There...
Sweden’s Way Out West Festival (Aug 13-15) will include the world premiere of Jonas Akerlund’s Roxette Diaries, about one of Sweden’s most popular bands.
“They are one of the biggest bands to come out of Sweden, and this film shows them in a new light. It was filmed during their tours from 1988 to 1995, and of course with Jonas Akerlund directing, it has a real art feel to it, he’s very brave with this material,” Svante Tidholm, Way Out West’s Head of Film Programming told Screen.
Another world premiere at the Gothenburg-based film and music festival will be Taikon, a documentary about civil rights activist and author Katarina Taikon. “She was one of the pioneers of human rights for the Romany community. It’s an amazing story and she’s an amazing character,” Tidholm added.
There...
- 7/23/2015
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
The 20th edition of the festival includes competition titles ’71 and Blind.
The Athens International Film Festival (Sept 17-28) kicks off its 20th edition today with 241 titles selected by artistic director Orestis Andreadakis.
The festival will open with Damian Szifron’s hit Wild Tales, which has proved a critical hit since its world premiere in competition at Cannes, and will close with David Fincher’s Us crime drama Gone Girl, marking its European premiere.
This year’s international competition includes Yann Demange’s Berlinale title, ’71, and Eskil Vogt’s Blind, which has picked up awards in Berlin and Sundance among others.
‘71, Yann Demange (UK)10,000 km, Carlos Marques-Marcet (Spa)Blind, Eskil Vogt (Nor)The Canal, Ivan Kavanagh (Irel)Manos Sucias, Josef Wladyka (Us-Col)The Mend, John Magary (Us)Natural Sciences, Matías Lucchesi (Arg)Thou Wast Mild and Lovely, Josephine Decker (Us)The Way He Looks, Daniel Ribeiro (Bra)When Animals Dream, Jonas Alexander Arnby (De)
A five-member Youth Jury, comprised...
The Athens International Film Festival (Sept 17-28) kicks off its 20th edition today with 241 titles selected by artistic director Orestis Andreadakis.
The festival will open with Damian Szifron’s hit Wild Tales, which has proved a critical hit since its world premiere in competition at Cannes, and will close with David Fincher’s Us crime drama Gone Girl, marking its European premiere.
This year’s international competition includes Yann Demange’s Berlinale title, ’71, and Eskil Vogt’s Blind, which has picked up awards in Berlin and Sundance among others.
‘71, Yann Demange (UK)10,000 km, Carlos Marques-Marcet (Spa)Blind, Eskil Vogt (Nor)The Canal, Ivan Kavanagh (Irel)Manos Sucias, Josef Wladyka (Us-Col)The Mend, John Magary (Us)Natural Sciences, Matías Lucchesi (Arg)Thou Wast Mild and Lovely, Josephine Decker (Us)The Way He Looks, Daniel Ribeiro (Bra)When Animals Dream, Jonas Alexander Arnby (De)
A five-member Youth Jury, comprised...
- 9/17/2014
- by alexisgrivas@yahoo.com (Alexis Grivas)
- ScreenDaily
When Elliott Smith sang "Miss Misery" at the Academy Awards in 1998, that gentle whisper of melancholy indie folk felt almost as if it had been included by mistake among the power anthems, perky Disney tunes and syrupy romantic ballads that usually populate the best original song field. Heaven Adores You, Nickolas Rossi's deeply respectful documentary tribute to the late singer-songwriter, shows an artist who was as much an uncomfortable anomaly in the pantheon of rock stars as he was on that stage surrounded by all the glitter of Hollywood. Financed via Kickstarter, and filled with commentary from friends,
read more...
read more...
- 8/5/2014
- by David Rooney
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
While he's not here to see how much his colleagues, friends and fans appreciated his music, Elliott Smith's punk spirit likely would've approved of the Kickstarter funded documentary "Heaven Adores You." Nickolas Rossi is the man behind the camera of this one, and after premiering at the San Francisco International Film Festival last month, the first four minutes have been put online. And the doc kicks off at what, at least on the surface level, was the peak of Smith's career. When "Miss Misery" was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song after landing in Gus Van Sant's "Good Will Hunting," Smith went from being a scrappy singer/songwriter beloved in indie circles, to a mini-phenomenon, leaving the rest of the media to catch up. And this unsettled the already fragile Smith, and as the opening of the documentary lays out, he had difficulty adjusting to this new level of fame,...
- 6/17/2014
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
A sweet, tortured soul blessed with a beautiful voice and gifted songwriting chops, Elliott Smith burned brightly in the time he was with us. His sudden death ten years ago sent shock waves through the music world, and even a decade on, it's hard to believe he's gone, with no more music to share with us. But there's plenty to celebrate with the life and tunes he left behind and director Nickolas Rossi's upcoming documentary, "Heaven Adores You," will endeavor to do just that. A new teaser trailer has dropped for the crowd-funded film that will premiere at the San Francisco International Film Festival. Indeed, it's a sensitive look at the musician from those that orbited his world. Those taking part include bandmates, producers, family and friends, including Jon Brion, Larry Crane, Rob Schnapf, Kill Rock Stars label owner Slim Moon, and many more. "Heaven Adores You" premieres on Monday,...
- 4/30/2014
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
It's just over ten years since the world lost Elliott Smith, a remarkably talented singer/songwriter who struggled with addiction and various other demons, all while releasing a catalog of music that continues to inspire to this day. Vulnerable and bracingly raw, his songs, even at their most produced and polished, were still imbued with deep feeling and an honesty that connected immediately with his fans. While much has been written and spoken about the performer, he'll be getting the big screen treatment in "Heaven Adores You." Directed by Nickolas Rossi, and featuring the participation of Joanna Bolme, Jon Brion, Neil Gust, Larry Crane, Rob Schnapf, and more, the documentary will feature unheard music and unseen footage of Smith, promising an in depth and respectful look at the late musician. Here's the official synopsis: Heaven Adores You is an intimate, meditative inquiry into the life and music of Elliott Smith...
- 4/2/2014
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Here's your daily dose of an indie film in progress; at the end of the week, you'll have the chance to vote for your favorite. In the meantime: Is this a movie you’d want to see? Tell us in the comments. Chaser Tweetable Logline: Alienated from his family and culture, a promising, young high school teacher seeks solace in the darkest fringes of the gay community. Elevator Pitch: "'Bug chasing' is a subject most people either don't know about, don't want to admit is happening, or just don't want to talk about. We're not interested in condemning or condoning anyone's behavior. Instead, our goal with this narrative short is to start a dialogue and ask one simple question: Why?" - Sal Bardo Production Team: Director: Sal Bardo Producer/Actor: Max Rhyser Editor: Miles Painter Cinematographer: Nickolas Rossi About the Production: "I grew up in the '80s and early '90s,...
- 3/7/2012
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
An Elliott Smith documentary has been announced. Heaven Adores You will focus on the life and work of the singer-songwriter, who died in 2003. Nickolas Rossi will direct the project, which will also cover his effect and influence on fans and artists since his untimely death, reports Flavorwire. The film's Kickstarter page describes the picture by saying: "By threading together musical performances of those influenced by the music of Elliott Smith, through the lush and often isolating images of the three major cites he lived in throughout his short life, (more)...
- 12/8/2011
- by By Tom Eames
- Digital Spy
I just finished screening this movie entitled Silent Night, Zombie Night from director Sean Cain. The film co-starred legendary scream queen diva Felissa Rose along with Jack Forcinito, Andy Hopper, Nadine Stenovitch, Lew Temple, Vernon Wells, Sara Tomko, Luke Y. Thompson, Ricardo Gray, John Karyus, Domiziano Arcangeli and Tim Muskatell. Silent Night Zombie Night takes place a week before Christmas, as a viral outbreak turns the citizens of Los Angeles into the feral undead. On the brink of breaking up with both his wife and partner, L.A.P.D. officer Frank Talbot finds himself trapped in a apartment with them. As death closes in, they try not only to survive, but work around the fact both men love the same woman. One thing kept popping up in my mind as I watched the film, the three leads of this film definitely have the presence, the charisma, the acting chops,...
- 10/21/2010
- by Big Daddy aka Brandon Sites
- Big Daddy Horror Reviews - Interviews
Ezra Buzzington, you may remember him from a handful of movies- Ghost World, Mirrors, The Hills Have Eyes, or Art School Confidential. Lately, however, Ezra Buzzington has been leaving his mark on the indie horror world starring in the drug and rape fueled Someone's Knocking At The Door and the thought provoking Breath of Hate.
I had the chance to ask him a few questions about these projects. Here's what he had to say.
Official Site
For more on Breath of Hate Click Here.
For those unfamiliar with you, who is Ezra Buzzington?
I've been called the Dennis Hopper of underground films. But actually, I'd probably take roles he would shy away from. I'm that guy walking behind you who's going to either fuck you, kill you or make you laugh. Depending on what you least expect. My first film was Fight Club with David Fincher directing. Since then I've...
I had the chance to ask him a few questions about these projects. Here's what he had to say.
Official Site
For more on Breath of Hate Click Here.
For those unfamiliar with you, who is Ezra Buzzington?
I've been called the Dennis Hopper of underground films. But actually, I'd probably take roles he would shy away from. I'm that guy walking behind you who's going to either fuck you, kill you or make you laugh. Depending on what you least expect. My first film was Fight Club with David Fincher directing. Since then I've...
- 8/25/2010
- by Big Daddy aka Brandon Sites
- Big Daddy Horror Reviews - Interviews
Indie horror specialist Sean Cain got in touch with Fango to give us an update on his latest feature, Breath Of Hate. The movie marks the second collaboration between Cain’s Velvet Hammer Films and Wes Laurie’s ArsonCuff Entertainment, following Silent Night, Zombie Night (see last item here), and has added to its creative team and cast, the latter of which includes previously announced Ezra Buzzington (pictured left) of the Hills Have Eyes remake.
Breath Of Hate, which Cain will direct from Laurie’s script, is about a young woman who works as an escort but is about to leave the business, and encounters a trio of violent escaped mental patients on her last job. “Ezra Buzzington has the leading role of Hate,” Cain says. “I worked with him recently on Someone’S Knocking At The Door [see previous item here], which has played at the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival and more recently...
Breath Of Hate, which Cain will direct from Laurie’s script, is about a young woman who works as an escort but is about to leave the business, and encounters a trio of violent escaped mental patients on her last job. “Ezra Buzzington has the leading role of Hate,” Cain says. “I worked with him recently on Someone’S Knocking At The Door [see previous item here], which has played at the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival and more recently...
- 6/19/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (Michael Gingold)
- Fangoria
Writer/director BC Furtney sent along word that a cool batch of pics like the one below from the set of his feature debut New Terminal Hotel have just gone up at his MySpace page. The filmmaker, whose shorts were featured in both Fangoria Blood Drive DVDs, is directing a cast that includes Stephen (Fright Night) Geoffreys, horror queen Tiffany Shepis, Ezra (Hills Have Eyes) Buzzington, Corey (The Lost Boys) Haim and previous collaborator Laura Leigh.
Geoffreys stars as Don Malek, a horror screenwriter whose sanity has become shaky, and who has checked into the title residence. When his agent (Shepis) tracks him down there, she discovers the mutilated body of a studio chief being kept on ice in his bathtub, and things only get messier as assorted other New Terminal residents and outsiders alike become involved in the scenario. Other veterans of Furtney’s shorts taking part in the...
Geoffreys stars as Don Malek, a horror screenwriter whose sanity has become shaky, and who has checked into the title residence. When his agent (Shepis) tracks him down there, she discovers the mutilated body of a studio chief being kept on ice in his bathtub, and things only get messier as assorted other New Terminal residents and outsiders alike become involved in the scenario. Other veterans of Furtney’s shorts taking part in the...
- 11/18/2008
- Fangoria
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