5 Music Documentaries Premiering At Hot Docs 2015
March 13th, 2015
The 2015 edition of Canadian international documentary film festival Hot Docs will take place April 23 – May 3 at Toronto’s Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, with five of the 17 films announced being music-focused. Mavis!, the bipoic of gospel pioneer and civil rights activist Mavis Staples directed by Canadian Jessica Edwards, will make its Canadian debut following its world premiere at SXSW. Canadian Michael Mabbott will also premiere his documentary Music Lessons about the teachers and children at Sistema Toronto
The full list and opening-night film will be revealed next week on March 17 at which point single tickets can be purchased.. In the meantime, you can read about and watch the trailers for each music documentary announced so far:
AROUND THE WORLD IN 50 CONCERTS
D: Heddy Honigmann | Netherlands | 2014 | 94 min | Canadian Premiere
In celebration of their 125th anniversary, Netherlands’ prestigious Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra performed 50 concerts on six continents. Award-winning documentary veteran Heddy Honigmann follows the orchestra as they perform around the world and discuss their passion for the music.
KURT COBAIN: MONTAGE OF HECK
D: Brett Morgen | USA | 2015 | 132 min | Canadian Premiere
Montage Of Heck is the first fully authorized biopic of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. Over eight years in the making, the film will feature interviews with his former bandmates, exclusive home movies and stunning animations. “I just wanted to give Frances a few more hours with her dad,” said director Brett Morgen during the film’s world premiere at Sundance. You might want to bring your tissues for this one.
MAVIS!
D: Jessica Edwards | Canada, USA | 2015 | 85 min | International Premiere
Canadian director Jessica Edwards explores the life of music legend and civil rights icon Mavis Staples and The Staple Singers through six decades of songs and stories from Bonnie Raitt, Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, Bob Dylan and many more.
MUSIC LESSONS
D: Michael Mabbott | Canada | 2015 | 20 min | World Premiere
Canadian Michael Mabbott’s documentary goes behind the scenes of the inspiring children and music teachers at Sistema Toronto. The film shows how how this international movement employs ensemble-based music to build community, confidence and a next generation of talent. The film will be followed by a live performance by the Sistema Toronto Yorkwoods Orchestra and a special in-conversation.
WHAT HAPPENED, MISS SIMONE?
D: Liz Garbus | USA | 2014 | 102 min | Canadian Premiere
Director Liz Garbus explores the life and career of the “High Priestess of Soul” Nina Simone, the chart-topping classically trained musical genius who played a significant role in the Civil Rights movement a midst her rise to stardom. The film tells the story of the beloved artist through never-before-heard tapes, rare archival footage and interviews with Simone’s close friends and family.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llfBIJF9cxI
