LONDON 2020
NOVEMBER 04-15
www.docnrollfestival.com
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BRINGING YOU THE WORLD’S BEST MUSIC DOCS, LIVE AND ONLINE Doc’n Roll, the UK’s Music Documentary Festival, returns for its 7th London edition from 4th to 15th November, prefaced by a very special teaser screening on 1st November. This year’s festival will run as a hybrid, featuring a mix of online-only premiere screenings and live in-cinema events. Doc’n Roll LDN 2020 offers a cinematic window on a multitude of musicmakers, genres, stories and scenes, via the talents of filmmakers ranging from first-time directors to acclaimed veterans. A diverse and dazzling lineup of 28 feature documentaries and 8 shorts will take viewers around the world: from experimental electronica to Iranian metal via Ibizan odysseys and IDLES’ passionate intensity; from Washington DC’s punk scene to the beating heart of jazz, via the creative worlds of Parisian pop auteur Sébastien Tellier and North African-French icon Rachid Taha; and from avant-garde heroines’ fearless soundscapes to a director’s seemingly impossible quest to capture elusive art-rockers Talk Talk on celluloid. But even in a year like no other, Doc’n Roll LDN 2020 is giving priority to the live cinema experience, with filmmakers taking the spotlight in front of live audiences* wherever possible.
*In light of COVID-19-related restrictions on travel, all in-person Q&A sessions featuring film directors are subject to confirmation. DocnRoll20 DocnRollFestival DocnRollFilms DocnRollFest
All tickets via www.docnrollfestival.com/films
LONDON PREMIERE + DIR. & SPECIAL GUEST Q&A
PHIL LYNOTT: SONGS FOR WHILE I’M AWAY Dir. Emer Reynolds, 2020, Ireland, 112 mins Sunday 1 November · 5:00pm · Alexandra Palace Theatre
The incredible story of a shy kid from Dublin who overcame poverty and prejudice to become a true rock icon is told through his most celebrated songs, archive footage and new interviews with those who knew him best.
WORLD PREMIERE + DIR. & SPECIAL GUEST Q&A
DON’T LET THE DEVIL TAKE ANOTHER DAY Dir. Ben Lowe, 2020, UK, 88 mins Wednesday 4 November · 6:00pm · BFI Southbank
Kelly Jones’ acclaimed 2019 solo tour very nearly didn’t happen. Behind-the-scenes footage and interviews full of courage and candour mark this tale of fame, family and The Stereophonics frontman’s astonishing secret battle. 3
WORLD PREMIERE + DIRECTOR Q&A
DON’T GO GENTLE: A FILM ABOUT IDLES Dir. Mark Archer, 2020, UK, 75 min Friday 6 November · 6:00pm · BFI Southbank
Spotlighting the force of their music, compassion of their lyrics and power of their performances, this film shows IDLES cutting through rock stereotypes to create a community based on openness, tolerance and honest communication.
LONDON PREMIERE + SPECIAL GUEST Q&A
THE SOUND IS INNOCENT Dir. Johana Ožvold, 2019, Czech Republic, France & Slovakia, 68 mins Frriday 6 November · 6:10pm · Barbican Cinema 1
This revealing history of electronic music profiles the innovation that fuelled dazzling sounds and the contemporary artists pushing technology in new directions, and imagines a future where machine and musician are indistinguishable. 4
UK PREMIERE
TALK TALK - IN A SILENT WAY
DOUBLE SCREENING
Dir. Gwenaël Breës, Belgium, 2020, 90 mins Saturday 7 November · 3:00pm · Barbican Cinema 1 Saturday 7 November · 9:00pm · The Castle Cinema
When Talk Talk’s Mark Hollis retired from music, he ceased giving interviews and no longer allowed his work to be used in films. But not even a cease-and-desist request deterred a filmmaker from creating this homage to a unique artist.
DIRECTOR Q&A
DON’T GO GENTLE: A FILM ABOUT IDLES Dir. Mark Archer, 2020, UK, 75 min Saturday 7 November · 3:00pm · Genesis Cinema
Spotlighting the force of their music, compassion of their lyrics and power of their performances, this film shows IDLES cutting through rock stereotypes to create a community based on openness, tolerance and honest communication. 5
LONDON PREMIERE
PUNK THE CAPITAL: BUILDING A SOUND MOVEMENT Dirs. James June Schneider, Paul Bishow, Sam Lavine, 2019, US, 88 mins Sunday 8 November · 4:00pm · Rio Cinema
The political town of Washington DC was the unlikely cradle of a radical evolution of punk, with hardcore bands like Bad Brains and Minor Threat battling both harassment and indifference to forge an influential subculture.
UK PREMIERE
SÉBASTIEN TELLIER: MANY LIVES Dir. Francois Valenza, 2020, France, 80 mins Sunday 8 November · 5:30pm · Barbican Cinema 1
Sébastian Tellier has spent 20 years following a mischievous creative path. The singer-composer has inhaled helium at Eurovision, strutted his songs down a Chanel runway and created beguiling, consistently inventive music. 6
UK PREMIERE
THIS FILM SHOULDN’T EXIST (COUNTRY TEASERS AND BEN WALLERS) Dirs. Nicolas Drolc, Gisella Albertini & Massimo Scocca, 2020, France, 96 mins Tuesday 10 November · 6:45pm · The Castle Cinema
Ben Wallers doesn’t remember being there, but the fans who filmed Edinburgh art-punk band Country Teasers on a US tour in the 1990s captured scenes of creativity and chaos that the “evil country” outfit’s frontman forgot.
WORLD PREMIERE + DIR. & SPECIAL GUESTS Q&A
MOTIAN IN MOTION Dir. Michael Kelly, 2020, USA, 86 mins Thursday 12 November · 5:55pm · Barbican Cinema 1
2011 marked the passing of a jazz legend: iconic drummer Paul Motian. This touching tribute to a giant of the genre blends fly-on-the-wall footage of Motian’s last years and interviews with those influenced by his innovative style. 7
UK PREMIERE + DIRECTOR Q&A
OTHER LIKE ME: THE ORAL HISTORY OF COUM AND THROBBING GRISTLE Dirs. Marcus Werner Hed, Dan Fox, 2020, UK, 82 mins Thursday 12 November · 6:30pm · Rio Cinema
Throbbing Gristle, the wilful pioneers of industrial music, began as boundarypushing performance artists COUM Transmission. Their story is finally on film, featuring the group’s archives and new interviews with core members.
LONDON PREMIERE + DIRECTOR Q&A
SISTERS WITH TRANSISTORS
LIVE ANALOG TAPE PERFORMANCE
Dir. Lisa Rovner, 2020, UK, 82 min Saturday 14 November · 3:00pm · The Barbican Theatre
Electronic music is too often perceived as a boys’ club: Lisa Rovner exposes the truth, shining a light on the pioneering techno women who invented the groundbreaking devices, techniques and tropes that would define the electro sound. 8
WORLD PREMIERE + MIKE SKINNER Q&A
THE STREETS: NONE OF US ARE GETTING OUT OF THIS LIVE ALIVE Dir. James Barnes, 2020, UK, 72 min Saturday 14 November · 6:30pm · Genesis Cinema
None Of Us Are Getting Out Of This Live Alive is Mike Skinner’s response to the events of 2020 and the unexpected cancelling of all The Streets’ touring plans. A theatrical spectacle filmed at EartH in Hackney, London.
DIRECTOR Q&A
SISTERS WITH TRANSISTORS Dir. Lisa Rovner, 2020, UK, 82 min Sunday 15 November · 4:50pm · Barbican Cinema 1
Electronic music is too often perceived as a boys’ club: Lisa Rovner exposes the truth, shining a light on the pioneering techno women who invented the groundbreaking devices, techniques and tropes that would define the electro sound. 9
DOC ’N ROLL 2O2O
SUNDAY 1 NOVEMBER 5:00pm
PHIL LYNOTT: SONGS FOR WHILE I’M AWAY
Alexandra Palace Theatre | LONDON PREMIERE + DIR. & SPECIAL GUEST Q&A
WEDNESDAY 4 NOVEMBER 6:00pm
DON’T LET THE DEVIL TAKE ANOTHER DAY: KELLY JONES BFI Southbank | WORLD PREMIERE + DIR. & SPECIAL GUEST Q&A FRIDAY 6 NOVEMBER
6:00pm
DON’T GO GENTLE: A FILM ABOUT IDLES
BFI Southbank | WORLD PREMIERE + DIR. Q&A 6:10pm
THE SOUND IS INNOCENT
Barbican Cinema 1 | LONDON PREMIERE + SPECIAL GUEST Q&A SATURDAY 7 NOVEMBER
3:00pm
TALK TALK - IN A SILENT WAY
9:00pm
TALK TALK - IN A SILENT WAY
3:00pm
DON’T GO GENTLE: A FILM ABOUT IDLES
Barbican Cinema 1 | UK PREMIERE
The Castle Cinema
Genesis Cinema | DIRECTOR Q&A SUNDAY 8 NOVEMBER
4:00pm
PUNK THE CAPITAL: BUILDING A SOUND MOVEMENT Rio Cinema | LONDON PREMIERE
5:30pm
SÉBASTIEN TELLIER: MANY LIVES Barbican Cinema 1 | UK PREMIERE
TUESDAY 10 NOVEMBER 6:45pm
THIS FILM SHOULD NOT EXIST (COUNTRY TEASERS AND BEN WALLERS) The Castle Cinema | UK PREMIERE
THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER 5:55pm
MOTIAN IN MOTION
6:30pm
OTHER LIKE ME: THE ORAL HISTORY OF COUM & THROBBING GRISTLE
Barbican Cinema 1 | WORLD PREMIERE + SKYPE Q&A
Rio Cinema | WORLD PREMIERE + DIR. Q&A
SATURDAY 14 NOVEMBER 3:00pm
SISTERS WITH TRANSISTORS
The Barbican Theatre | LONDON PREMIERE + DIR. Q&A + LIVE ANALOG TAPE PERFORMANCE
6:30pm
THE STREETS: NONE OF US ARE GETTING OUT OF THIS LIVE ALIVE Genesis Cinema | WORLD PREMIERE + MIKE SKINNER Q&A SUNDAY 15 NOVEMBER
4:50pm
SISTERS WITH TRANSISTORS Barbican Cinema 1 | DIR. Q&A
DOC ’N ROLL 2O2O
ONLINE WORLD PREMIERES ON-DEMAND STREAMING FROM NOVEMBER 8TH 19:00 UNTIL NOVEMBER 16TH 19:00 AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW VIA http://www.docnrollfestival.com/films
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ACID MOTHERS REYNOLS: LIVE AND BEYOND Dir. Alejandro Maly, 2020, Argentina, 84 mins
Witness the historic moment that experimental Argentinian band Reynols collided onstage in Buenos Aires with Japanese trip-rock veterans Acid Mothers Temple, spawning a truly unique LP. Cosmic psychedelia meets guerrilla art-rock in an explosion of cult sound.
AFRO CUBA ‘78: THE DOCUMENTARY Dir Emilio Oscar Alcalde, 2019, US, 85 mins
AfroCuba ’78 tells the story and traces the destiny of the Cuban jazz group AfroCuba. Formed in the mid-70s in Havana, the group was a creative cauldron of musicians from different generations who together experimented with a sound that combined innovative jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms. 15
ARA MALIKIAN: A LIFE AMONG STRINGS Dir. Nata Moreno, 2019, Spain, 88 mins BARBICAN ONLINE PLAYER
For a fourteen-year-old boy growing up in war-torn Beirut, music was more than an art form: it was survival. Thus begins the story of nomadic violinist Ara Malikian, whose innovative style has taken him all over the world.
BACK TO THE SOURCE Dir. Robin Phillips, 2020, UK, 60 mins
Follow musician Robin Phillips as he undertakes the road trip of a lifetime, tracking the history of the music he loves – US jazz and blues – from Chicago to New Orleans astride a Harley-Davidson. 16
BORN BALEARIC: JOHN SA TRINXA AND THE SPIRIT OF IBIZA Dir. Lily Rinae, 2020, Spain, 70 mins
Mix one music-obsessed drifter with a stock market crash and a burgled apartment. The result? Ibiza royalty. Jonathan Grey, aka Jon Sa Trinxa, narrates his meteoric rise to DJ stardom, and the development of his kaleidoscopic Balearic style.
CHRIS HOLMES: MEAN MAN Dir. Antoine de Montremy, 2020, France, 77 min
The story of Chris Holmes, ex-member of WASP, discovering that he had to start again. As he prepares to take on Europe with his new band, he meets fans along the way and proves that he remains a consummate rock showman. 17
IT’S NOT ALL ROCK & ROLL - DAVE DOUGHMAN & SWEARING AT MOTORISTS Dir. Jim Burns, 2020, UK, 84 mins
Jim Burns, director of the cult BMX Bandits music documentary Serious Drugs, returns with a portrait of the greatest rock star you’ve never heard of: musician, model and rock monster Dave Doughman and his band Swearing At Motorists.
JOYCUT @ ROBERT SMITH’S MELTDOWN Dirs. Luca Previtali & Pasco Pezzillo, 2020, Italy, 51 mins
JoyCut, an independent Italian band, were invited by Robert Smith to take part in his curated Meltdown festival in London in 2018. This film offers excerpts from their performance, and a collage of anecdotes, stories and food for thought. 18
LARRY’S GARAGE Dir. Corrado Rizza, 2019, USA, 90 mins
New York, 1977-1987: legendary DJ Larry Levan rules the Paradise Garage – a temple of music and LGBT nightlife. Rizza combines unseen footage of Saint Larry with colourful interviews, capturing the glittering scene that birthed modern club culture.
THE SWEET FRANCE OF RACHID Dir. Farid Haroud, 2020, France, 52 mins
In both his adopted homeland of France and across North Africa, Rachid Taha achieved cult status. His iconoclastic version of the 1940s song “La Douce France” achieved notoriety and ended up banned. This film explores his creative vision and cultural impact. 19
THE HOLY GIFT INSPIRED BY TOOL’S MUSIC Dir. Stéphane Kazadi, 2020, France, 105 mins
When director Stéphane Kazadi heard cult band Tool’s “Lateralus” album for the first time, he was inspired to explore and reflect on our emotional engagement with music, via the insights of artists, musicians and philosophers from around the world.
THE LIFE AND DREAMS OF ERGO PHIZMIZ Dir. Iain Chambers, 2020, UK, 57 mins
The prolific output of multi-disciplinary artist Ergo Phizmiz and the chaos of his ambitious projects put huge strains on his personal life. This is a cinematic portrait of his work, his reclusive childhood, and the struggle with communication that drives his creative obsessions. 20
THE OFFLINE PLAYLIST: NEW ORLEANS CONTEMPORARY JAZZ ‘N BLUES Dir. Brian C. Miller Richard, 2020, USA, 48 mins
A first-of-its-kind concert that paired New Orleans artists on a Spotify playlist with the fans who listen to it, live at the Preservation Hall. Feat. Jon Batiste, Curren$y, Irma Thomas & many more.
THE TALE OF THE DOG - THE UNTOLD HISTORY OF DENVER’S GREATEST MUSIC VENUE: THE FAMILY DOG 1967 - 1968 Dirs. Dan Obarski, Scott Montgomery, 2020, USA, 109 mins
The Family Dog brought countless legendary bands to Denver. This film unearths a transformative moment in the city’s history and its place in the story of rock music, poster art, and the watershed cultural changes of the 1960s. 21
THIS IS A FILM ABOUT A BAND Dir. Robert ‘Hacker’ Jessett and Anne Gilpin, 2020, UK, 59 mins
A DIY dreamscape. Not your typical ‘rockumentary’ of talking heads and voiceover narration, but rather an audiovisual, and at times chaotic, rollercoaster ride that will likely mirror the world of many aspiring artists.
THE VENTURES: STARS WITH GUITARS Dir. Staci Lee Wilson, 2020, USA, 88 mins
The band that outsold the Beatles 2 to 1 in Japan turns 60 years old in stellar surf-rock style! Follow the story of The Ventures, the best-selling instrumental group of all time, as told by band members and famous fans. 22
TWINKLE DAMMIT! Dir. Chuang Xu, 2020, USA, 69 mins
Margaret Leng Tan’s long and prolific career has made her a figurehead of avantgarde music. TWINKLE DAMMIT! gives rare access to the creative collaboration between Leng Tan and groundbreaking composer George Crumb as they embark on an iconic collaboration.
PERSIAN BLACK METAL STORY Dir Janne Vuorela, 2020, Germany, 39 mins
An exploration of the underground black metal scene in Iran, via the life and work of musician Magus. Imprisoned and tortured for his art in his home country, his life in exile has been no less turbulent. 23
SHORTS
PROGRAMME Thursday 5 November 52 MINS + Q&A
NOSTALGIC SYMPHONY Tom Potter, UK, 2020, 3 mins
WRONG DIRECTION Signe Rosenlund-Hauglid, Norway, 2020, 18 mins
MIND MENDING Markus Schrรถder, Germany/Portugal/UK/USA, 2020, 17 mins
PLEASE TAKE OFF YOUR HOODIES David Hayes, UK, 2020, 14 mins
FOR MORE INFO VISIT: https://www.docnrollfestival.com/films/shorts/
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SHORTS PROGRAMME 2 Thursday 12 November 57 MINS + Q&A
ROGUE SCAB Ethan Sperber, US, 2019, 5 mins
ALWAYS FAST HARDLY ACCURATE Sal Redpath, Ben Archer, UK, 2020, 24 mins
MY BAD SISTER Joe Magowan & Charlie France, UK, 2020, 13 mins
MAMBA NEGRA, THE SOUND AND THE FURY OF SÃO PAULO Alessio Ortu, Italy, Brazil & Germany, 2020, 15 mins
FOR MORE INFO VISIT: https://www.docnrollfestival.com/films/shorts/
VENUES ALEXANDRA PALACE THEATRE Alexandra Palace Way London N22 7AY BFI SOUTHBANK Belvedere Rd South Bank London SE1 8XT BARBICAN CINEMA 1 Floor -2 Silk Street London EC2Y 8DS THE CASTLE CINEMA First Floor 64 - 66 Brooksby’s Walk London E9 6DA
RIO CINEMA 107 Kingsland High Street Dalston London E8 2PB THE BARBICAN THEATRE Ground Floor Silk Street London EC2Y 8DS GENESIS CINEMA 93-95 Mile End Road London E1 4UJ
OUR FESTIVAL JURY JOHN KENNEDY John is a radio presenter, producer and DJ from London. Via his X-Posure show for Radio X, and formerly at Xfm, he has spent over two decades championing the best in new musical talent. @JohnKennedy
MANDY CHANG Mandy is Commissioning Editor of Storyville, the BBC’s pioneering global feature documentary strand. She is also an acclaimed filmmaker and a champion of diverse, creative storytelling. @mandyelizchang
SUSAN HANSEN A multilingual, multi-skilled music journalist, Susan is contributor to Clash and Mixmag in the UK and to Gaffa in Denmark, where she produces artist features, Q&As, album and live reviews. @susanhansen_
KYLIE OLSSON Kylie has interviewed some of music’s biggest names for Sky Arts, MTV, Planet Rock and the BBC, toured with Def Leppard and Joe Bonamassa, and worked on The Rolling Stones’ exhibition Exhibitionism. @Kylieolsson
Read about our Doc’n Roll Jury Award for Documentary of the Year: https://www.docnrollfestival.com/about/festival-jury/
THE DOC´N ROLL TEAM Vanessa Garcia Lobon Co-director & Programmer
Karen Shook Communications
Colm Forde Co-director & Programmer
Bruna Amaral Head of Photography
Morven Masterton Shorts Programmer
Henrique Maia Photographer
Anne-Marie McGregor Event Organiser
Pablo Lopez Bueno In-house Designer
Amelia Gardiner Online Event Organiser
Marte Eide Festival Trailer Editor
Jodie Banaszkiewicz Stay Golden PR
Jonny Dillon Social Media Manager
Programme supported by Film Hub London, managed by Film London. Proud to be a partner of the BFI Film Audience Network, funded by the National Lottery. www.filmlondon.org.uk/filmhub
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https://www.docnrollfestival.com/docn-roll-tv/
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THE UK´S MUSIC DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL BRINGS UNFORGETTABLE MUSIC - AND THE STORIES OF THOSE WHO MAKE IT TO LONDON IN 2020
Proudly supported by:
DocnRoll20 DocnRollFestival DocnRollFilms DocnRollFest
All tickets via www.docnrollfestival.com/films