For the last three years, many of the biggesthighlights from the Milwaukee Film Festival have come from its music film series, SoundVision. That series will return for year four at this fall’s event, and today the festivalrevealed its latest lineup, which for the first time will include afictional film in addition to seven documentaries. Eden follows an aspiringyoung DJ who comes of age along with the French electronic music scene—it’s gotGreta Gerwig in it, too, which is always a plus. Other highlights includeBreaking a Monster, about a teenage metal band in Africa; The Glamour & TheSqualor, about alt-rock radio DJ Marco Collins, and Seymour: An Introduction,director Ethan Hawke’s tribute to his classicalpianist pal Seymour Bernstein. And because the festival can’t resist a gooddance party, once again it’ll be screening the greatest concert film of alltime, Jonathan Demme’s Stop Making Sense.
Complete details about the films in the series are below, with descriptionsprovided by the festival. This year's festival runs Sept. 24 through Oct. 8.
Breakinga Monster
(USA / 2015 / Director: Luke Meyer)In2007, a tween trio became viral video sensations when footage of them rockingout in Times Square took the Internet by storm. For Unlocking the Truth, ateenage metal band comprised of three African-American boys, this was only thebeginning: They became the youngest band ever to play Coachella and signed amillion-dollar recording contract with Sony. This documentary follows along theway with their rapid transformation from tween obscurity to opening forMetallica — a hilarious look at juvenile stardom, where young boys have to dealwith rehearsals and touring alongside parents, girls and video games.
Eden
(France/ 2015 / Director: Mia Hansen-Løve)Epicin scope yet emotionally intimate, Eden is director Mia Hansen-Løve's loveletter to the French electronic music scene that launched Daft Punk. YoungDJ Paul forgoes the academic experience in pursuit of a sound hedescribes as "euphoria and melancholia". We follow him asthe scene explodes from modest house parties to massivedance clubs, plunging him headlong into a world of sex, drugs and garage music(with supporting turns from Daft Punk and Greta Gerwig). Vibrant and pulse-poundingwithout ever losing sight of its perceptive and compassionate center, Edencrackles with the energy of artistic possibility, an epic dance party going onfor decades that you hope never ends.
TheGlamour & The Squalor
(USA/ 2015 / Directors: Marq Evans)
Meet the man who discovered the music that defined a generation — MarcoCollins, one of the last great rock radio DJs. Collins helped break suchartists as Nirvana, Weezer, Death Cab for Cutie and Beck while also rekindlingan era of popularity for both punk rock and electronic dance music in America.But his story extends far beyond music — battles with drug addiction and stintsin rehab as well as a life spent in the closet before becoming an LGBT spokespersonall combine to forge a riveting documentary about a man whose relentlesspassion created a musical revolution.Seymour:An Introduction
(USA/ 2014 / Director: Ethan Hawke)
Oscar nominated actor Ethan Hawke takes to the director's chair to bring youone of the best reviewed documentaries of the year, a wonderfully warm andwitty portrait of his good friend and classical pianist, Seymour Bernstein. Afitting tribute to an engaging personality, Hawke brings you an intimate andlucid examination of a man who gave up a successful concert career to teach hisart to others. Filled with unforgettable stories and touching insights into thecreative pursuit and crafting a life filled with meaning, this is oneintroduction you wish would never end.StopMaking Sense
(USA/ 1984 / Director: Jonathan Demme)
A Milwaukee Film Festival tradition! Come dressed for movement and make sureall aisle-ways are clear for dancing as Jonathan Demme's essential concertfilm chronicling multiple nights of propulsive performance from the iconicTalking Heads (including magnetic frontman David Byrne and Milwaukee's ownJerry Harrison) is sure to burn down the house once again. Gaining momentumlike a runaway freight train, the show (and Byrne's iconic suit) only getsbigger as it rolls along, so remember to pace yourself. This is a joyousmarathon, not a sprint.Theoryof Obscurity: A Film about the Residents
(USA,Austria, Germany, Netherlands/ 2015 / Director: Don Hardy Jr.)
For over four decades, the gonzo multimedia art collective The Residents havebeen staging their avant-garde productions behind a thick shroud of mystery.The identities of its members never revealed (they have and continue to performin costumes - most famously, giant eyeball masks decked out in matching suitsand top hats), we've never been afforded to opportunity to peek behind thecurtain of these uncompromising artists until now. Featuring interviews withfans (Matt Groening, Ween) and their "business managers" the CrypticCorporation alongside a treasure trove of archival footage and contemporarydocumenting of their grandiose anniversary tour, The Residents and theirmind-expanding, daringly original work will finally be rescued from obscurity.TheWinding Stream
The WreckingCrew
(USA/ 2014 / Director: Beth Harrington)
All roads in American roots music lead through the Carter family, buttheir dramatic history has never been told on screen - untilnow. From the Appalachians foothills came a music revolution begun by theoriginal Carter family (A.P., Sara and Maybelle) whose reverberations can stillbe felt throughout the music world to this very day. Gorgeous recordings ofCarter family songs are intertwined with studio performances from a parade ofartists inspired by this first family of country music (George Jones, SherylCrow, Kris Kristofferson, one of Johnny Cash's final filmed appearances)in a comprehensive tribute to timeless music that flows through ourculture like a winding stream.
(USA / 2015 /Director: Denny Tedesco)
Their music won the Best Record of the Year Grammy an unprecedented sixconsecutive years. Their hit records span decades and number in the hundreds(beneficiaries of their virtuosity include Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys andSam Cooke to name only a few). Yet, the public couldn't name a single member ofthis legendary outfit. They were the legendary backing band The WreckingCrew, and their "west coast sound" dominated the music landscape. Anupbeat peek behind the curtain at their massively influential labor of love,filled with celebrity testimonials and interviews with the original membersthat is a must-see for fans of Twenty Feet From Stardom or Muscle Shoals.
