#Biographical Documentary

[moviesiveseenandwanttoremember]

Lizzie Gottlieb's "Turn Every Page: The Adventures of Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb" June 12, 2022.

[schlock-luster-video]

On September 27, 1975, Grey Gardens was screened at the New York Film Festival.

[filmjunky-99]

d a r k s t a r: h. r. g i g e r' s w o r l d, 2014 🎬 dir. belinda sallin

[frank-olivier]

The Bard of Nonconformity: Bob Dylan’s Enduring Legacy

Bob Dylan’s enigmatic nature, profound lyrical depth, and genre-defying musicality have long fascinated audiences, offering a rich tapestry for exploration. His life, artistic evolution, and far-reaching influence on music, literature, and society are intricately woven, reflecting the complex interplay between personal heritage, environmental stimuli, and cultural impact.

Born Robert Zimmerman to Russian Jewish immigrants in Duluth, Minnesota, Dylan’s early life laid the groundwork for his empathetic connection with the underdog, a pervasive theme in his music. The strategic name change to Dylan, likely for a more marketable and less ethnically identifiable stage presence, highlights the challenges faced by Jewish artists in mid-20th century America, setting the stage for a career marked by reinvention. This duality of identity—between his roots and public persona—underscores the tensions between authenticity and the demands of a burgeoning career.

Immersed in the diverse musical landscape facilitated by powerful radio stations and the creative ferment of Greenwich Village’s Bohemian scene, Dylan’s unique sound began to take shape. His artistic trajectory, from initial homage to Woody Guthrie to the development of a distinctive style, demonstrates an unwavering dedication to his craft, prioritizing artistic expression over mainstream expectations. This nonconformist spirit, evident in his transition from folk to electric rock and subsequent explorations into country and western genres, not only pioneered musical shifts but also inspired a generation of artists.

Dylan’s influence extends far beyond the musical realm, with his work recognized for its literary merit, culminating in the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature. By weaving references to literary figures into his songs, he has democratized access to these works, bridging the divide between music and literature. His addressing of social injustices, as seen in his advocacy for Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, solidifies his role as a voice for the marginalized and a champion of free speech, embodying the essence of America’s founding values of nonconformity and expression.

While the pressures of fame, particularly the loss of privacy in Woodstock, have led to periods of reclusiveness, this has paradoxically contributed to the mystique surrounding his figure, cementing his status as a cultural icon. His legacy, therefore, is not merely a body of work but a celebration of the human spirit in all its complexity and beauty, standing as a powerful reminder of the importance of artistic integrity, empathy, and visionary pursuit in an era often marked by division and conformity.

Bob Dylan: Busy Being Born (Piers Garland, 2020)

Monday, December 23, 2024

[psykopaths]

The Bang Bang Club, (2010)

[mariocki]

Fat Man on a Beach (HTV, 1974)

"I'm going to read some more poems now. Erm. It may be that if you want to go and have a cup of tea, this would be a good time. I know that's what you masses are like. The mention of poetry and off you go."

[warriorprincesstramp]

woke up my last post has like forty notes for some reason and I've now gotten people who are like um why is it unfortunate that a musical is good 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨 because of the fucking cringe guys you forgot about the cringe....

[passionforfiction]

2022 Documentaries Highlight

This year I have watched a lot of documentaries. The first half of the year I watched documentaries on famous people: musicians, actors, basketball players and public figures. These were interesting, insightful and in some cases shocking. In some cases, they made me remember my childhood and my teens. Then I started watching true crime documentaries. I like the investigation process of how these crimes are uncovered. These are unbelievable horror stories and it sadness me to know they are not fiction. We really need to be careful of who we trust.

[thefourhorsemenoftheapocolypse]

Part One: The Beginning

*******************************************

Cade Manning (singer songwriter): "Music has always been part of my life. My parents were young when they had me. Still in high school. My dad and his friends had formed a band, I forget the name of it, and they'd always be practicing in the basement of my dad's house. I'd be down there, just hanging out and listening to them play from as far back as I can remember. I think they were pretty good too. But, uh, they disbanded after Dad and the guitarist had a falling out. After that, it was me and him in the basement listening to records and playing together. My dad actually was the one who taught me how to play the drums. I didn't pick up a guitar until I was like 7 maybe because I didn't want to bring up the ugly memories of the fallout."

Anne Manning (Cade's Mother): "From the moment he found things made sound when you hit them Cade was ready to learn anything and everything he could about music. I vividly remember the day he found out that things made noise. I had been at home with him while his father was away at work and Cade had this little plastic drum my mother had given him that he didn't really use much until this particular day. He balled his little fists up and hit the drum as hard as he could. BOOM! I remember his head turning to me so fast like he was trying to figure out if I had heard the noise too. (laughs). After that it was all over me and John. Peace and quiet were flung out the window after that day. But yes, Cade was always interested in music. I remember going over to John's from school some days and going down to the basement and seeing the two of them engrossed in sheet music. Probably some songs that John had written. It was almost comedic at some points. Here you had this little toddler, 3 or 4 years old, sitting in his young father's lap, learning how to read music notes! (laughs)."

John Manning (Cade's Father): "I met Anne through a friend of mine. She was my buddy Don's cousin. Don had brought her to one of our band's rehearsals and it was love at first sight. About a year into our relationship is when Anne found out she was pregnant. After Cade was born our lives changed dramatically. For me it was balancing my band, school, and fatherhood. For Anne it was balancing work, school, family life, and motherhood. It was hard on us but we managed. Sadly I lost the band during the early years of Cade's life. The fallout was hard. Those guys were my best friends. I mean they meant a lot to me. They were with me throughout Anne's entire pregnancy and they were with me when Cade was born. They even helped us raise him. Cade was like their nephew. We went through a lot together. But then we just lost each other so quickly when me and the guitarist, Axel, got into a fight. We disbanded after the fight. It hurt to lose them, sure, but each day I'd see Cade, sitting in his corner, messing with whatever musical toy he had and I slowly began getting over it all. I had decided that if I couldn't play music with my buddies liked we'd dreamt then I'd at least teach my son."

[markstits]

what happened to all the latin american films from the us that arent kids movies

[moviesiveseenandwanttoremember]

Miri Navasky, Maeve O'Boyle, & Karen O'Connor's "Joan Baez: I Am A Noise" October 6, 2023.

[schlock-luster-video]

On June 26, 1985, The Times of Harvey Milk was screened at the New England Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.

[filmjunky-99]

h. h. h o l m e s: America's First Serial Killer, 2004 🎬 dir. John Borowski

[swadhyaaya]

swarabharati ms subbulakshmi (rare documentary part-2) includes opinion...