There’s no denying that one of, if not the best winter activity is to wrap yourself in warm layers, get super comfy, and watch as many brilliant productions on the big screen as humanly possible.
The crew behind Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) are totally down with this notion and have once again curated a stunning programme of unmissable cinema to satisfy your needs, as it takes over Melbourne’s silver screens from July 30th – August 16th.
It’s no secret that we love a good music movie around these parts, so we’ve delved into MIFF’s 2015 music doco programme to handpick the must-see films for music fans this year. For more info on all the films you can see at MIFF pop by www.miff.com.au.
Breaking A Monster
We’ve written about these guys and their fascinating story a number of times in the past. Being held hostage by a major label, million-dollar major label record contracts, slots at Coachella and SXSW, opening for rock gods Metallica, appearances on late-night TV: it’s pretty intimidating stuff for any musician, let alone a bunch of school kids. This Luke Meyer directed film takes a look into the lives of Unlocking the Truth, aka Malcolm Brickhouse, Jarad Dawkins and Alec Atkins, a trio of young kids who became a YouTube sensation while busking in Times Square turned major label signed act.
Screening Times: 9:15pm Fri 7th Aug | 6:45pm Fri 14th Aug
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Colin Hay: Waiting For My Real Life
What happens when your band has a ubiquitous hit, but then ‘nothing really happens?’ This moving documentary onMen At Work’s Colin Hay follows dives into that question. The man behind Aussie classics Down Under and Who Could it be Now? has spent 20 years rebuilding himself as a solo artist. Featuring an unlikely all-star cast of supporters – including Zach Braff, Guy Pearce, Jimeoin, Hugh Jackman, Sia, System of a Down’s Serj Tankian, Grant Lee Philips and more – alongside footage from some iconic Australian venues, Waiting For My Real Life is an exploration of hard work and Aussie talent.
Screening Times: 6:30pm Tues 4th Aug | 1:30pm Sun 9th Aug
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Mavis!
It’s about time one of the world’s greatest musical voices Mavis Staples had documentary made about her. Mavis! Is an in-depth look at the legendary soul singer who is now celebrating her a 60-year career, and at 76 still going strong. From her beginnings as the fiery frontwoman of family band The Staple Singers to her vibrant releases of today, she has etched her name in the annals of music history. At 75, Staples and director Jessica Edwards look back at a turbulent life, with reverent commentary from friends and fans including Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Jeff Tweedy, Levon Helm, Chuck D and Sharon Jones. A truly inspiring story.
Screening Times: 4pm Sun 2nd Aug | 4pm Sun 9th Aug
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Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown
The legendary documentarian Alex Gibney (Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine; Finding Fela) turns his lens on the ‘Hardest Working Man In Show Business’, the inimitable James Brown. Featuring one of the best soundtracks in MIFF, this documentary takes a look into Brown to reveal a contradictory man whose history intersected with the civil rights movement and even the birth of hip-hop. The film’s co-producer Mick Jagger joins Reverend Al Sharpton, Chuck D, Questlove, Maceo and Melvin Parker, and former bandmates help unravel the untamed enigma that is America’s Soul Brother No. 1.
Screening Times: 9:15pm Fri 31st July | 1:30pm Sat 1st Aug
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Salad Days: A Decade Of Punk In Washington, DC 1980-1990
This award for longest music dock title goes to this film. Former fanzine creator and lifelong obsessive Scott Crawford compiles the definitive document of the scene, not only showcasing the raw clout of the music but also the story of influential DIY label Dischord, the politics, the straight-edge movement and the birth of emo. For LA and New York, punk was a fashion but in Washington DC it was a lifeline and Salad Days explores punk’s involvement and importance in the modern day cultural climate. If you enjoy rock, odds are your favourite band was inspired by someone or something in the film.
Screening Times: 9pm Fri 31st July | 9pm Fri 7th Aug
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808
back in March we listened this as one of the Most Hyped Music Docos of the year and finally it’s coming to Australia. In the same way that the guitar is the defining instrument of rock and roll and the saxophone the instrument that defines for jazz, the Roland TR-808 is the instrument that inarguably defines dance and hip hop music. The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer launched in 1980. It didn’t sound much like an organ. Or a drum. It had defective transistors. It was only in production for three years. But this clunky gadget helped create hip-hop, modern R&B and techno, as well as permanently altering the face of pop and rock.
Screening Times: 9pm Sat 8th Aug | 6:30pm Fri 14th Aug
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