WORLD PREMIERE The Sunset Marquis is the legendary go-to for rock ’n’ roll royalty to cool their heels in Los Angeles, especially in the sex, drugs, and bad behavior heyday of the 1970s and ’80s. Pure gold is mined out of recollections from Ringo Starr, Slash, Cyndi Lauper, Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Crow, Dave Grohl, Bruce […]
US PREMIERE Following acclaimed Syrian clarinetist Kinan Azmeh as he travels from Beirut to Amsterdam to NYC, Half Moon examines the role of art in times of crisis. As Syria’s devastating displacement looms in the background, Kinan collaborates with fellow musicians and mentors, reflecting on exile, identity, and music theory. Featuring stunning performances and intimate […]
WORLD PREMIERE Filmmaker Penny Lane brings her inimitably quirky outlook to the art and business of children’s music, an industry generally skipped over by those above the age of 10. Way beyond the grating basicness of “Baby Shark,” Lane profiles performers invested in creating the tastes of kids—artists wanting to shape what children will understand […]
WORLD PREMIERE Zere Asylbek was 19 when she released a music video demanding respect for women in the largely conservative Kyrgyzstan. It was intentionally provocative, and Asylbek achieved what she set out to do: jolting the society into paying attention to the evils of the country’s deeply patriarchal and misogynist culture. Six years on, the […]
WORLD PREMIERE DOC NYC alumnus Chuck Smith revels in 1960s sounds and the spirit of counterculture with this politically pointed look back at the volatile energy of protest and creation behind the avant-garde NYC band The Fugs (say it out loud!). Even as band members Ed Sanders, Ken Weaver, and Tuli Kupferberg found that fighting […]
NYC PREMIERE Groundbreaking trans soul singer Jackie Shane was on the cusp of stardom when she turned away from the music industry and the world. After her death, family members who never knew their pioneering aunt, piece together her remarkable life, uncovering her personal struggles, immense talent, and unmistakable voice. Through never before heard audio […]
NYC PREMIERE Fueled by the disillusionment of Kent State and Vietnam War, the ?70s music sensation Devo channeled its “organized absurdity” into an entertaining satire of modern society. Rising to fame during the Reagan era, the counterculture quintet became iconic with their hit “Whip It,” cutting-edge MTV videos, and outlandish headwear. Told through the voices of […]
NYC PREMIERE As an awkward, bullied yet rebellious kid, Diane Warren found refuge in music and went on to become one of the most prolific and successful songwriters in America, as legendary for her eccentric personality as for her exceptional talent. A laundry list of America’s top singers, and Diane herself, recount the joys and […]
NYC PREMIERE This music-filled documentary follows The Black Keys, from their parents’ garages in Ohio to global fame. Geeky Pat and popular Dan develop a unique musical chemistry and style influenced by Mississippi blues, and embark on tour in a minivan. During their rise, they gain fans, wives, acclaim, and well-timed boosts from collaborators like […]
NYC PREMIERE Mega-talented keyboardist and songwriter Billy Preston was often referred to as “the best musician in the room.” Stylistically influenced by the Black church, Preston’s illustrious career includes collaborations with Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones, Elton John, the Beatles, and more. A private man who turned to drugs to dull the pain of personal […]