Gathering of Companions
See the Sound Music Film Festival Spotlights the Power of Music in Documentaries
The See the Sound music film festival is a celebration of audiovisual storytelling, showcasing nearly 30 feature-length films that attempt to capture the ephemeral qualities of a song or an orchestral piece. This year's festival, now in its fourth edition, offers a diverse array of documentaries, from biographical portraits of artists from the second half of the 20th century to films that try to convey music without relying on flowery language.
One of the standout films at the festival is "Monk in Pieces," a documentary that delves into the life and work of Meredith Monk, a composer, singer, choreographer, and multimedia artist. The film features interviews with David Byrne, Merce Cunningham, and others, offering a rapid collage of Monk's art in the context of 60s New York.
Another noteworthy film is "Once Upon a Time Michel Legrand," a biographical documentary that chronicles the life of the French musician, born in 1932. The film features appearances by Catherine Deneuve, Sting, Barbra Streisand, and others, providing a rich tapestry of Legrand's career and influences.
The festival also features "Blur: To the End," a documentary directed by Tony L., who has a close relationship with Damon Albarn and the members of Blur. The film traces the preparations for the 2023 reunion concerts of the Brit-Pop band, offering intimate, rare access to the band members and uncovering personal reflections that might not be accessible to outsiders.
The close relationship between a documentary filmmaker and their subject offers several advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, a close bond allows the filmmaker to gain intimate access to the subject’s personal life, emotions, and experiences, enabling a more authentic and nuanced portrayal. On the other hand, a very close relationship may bias the filmmaker’s perspective, causing them to omit or soften critical or controversial aspects, which can diminish the documentary’s credibility and balance.
In the case of "Blur: To the End," the filmmaker’s closeness likely facilitated intimate, rare access to band members and uncovered personal reflections that might not be accessible to outsiders. However, the filmmaker also faces the challenge of presenting the band honestly, balancing admiration with critical insight to avoid an overly flattering portrayal.
This balance between intimacy and critical distance is a central tension in documentary filmmaking, particularly with subjects the filmmaker respects or admires. Maintaining transparency about this relationship with the audience can help mitigate some disadvantages.
The festival also highlights films that aim to speak about music in different forms, such as "S/He Is Still Her/e - The Official Genesis P-Orridge Documentary." This loving portrait of Genesis P-Orridge, who defies categorization and founded bands like Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV, explores P-Orridge's scandalous performances, exile in the USA, and genderfluid identity.
The popularity of these subjects is due to the extensive archive of images created with the spread of television and later video and smartphone cameras. These images have played a significant role in making many of these biographical documentaries possible. The See the Sound music film festival is a testament to the power of music in storytelling and the enduring appeal of documentaries that delve into the lives and works of musicians.
The See the Sound music film festival, featuring a lineup of movies-and-tv that encompasses entertainment centered around music, showcases documentaries that delve into the lives of various artists such as Meredith Monk, Michel Legrand, and Genesis P-Orridge. These films offer a glimpse into their careers and personal lives, underscoring the festival's emphasis on capturing the ephemeral qualities of music and art.
