Spotlight
Wondering which films to watch? Spotlight presents thematically grouped, must see films, hand-picked by Fandor's curators.
Gogol Bordello Non-Stop
X: The Unheard Music
Hey! Is Dee Dee Home?
Glastonbury Fayre
Brian Eno: The Man Who Fell to Earth
Ike and Tina
Todd P Goes to Austin
Everyday Sunshine
Athens, GA: Inside Out
Who is Harry Nilsson (and Why is Everybody Talkin' About Him)?
Fela Kuti: Music is the Weapon
From Straight to Bizarre
Kraftwerk and the Electronic Revolution
Spotlight on Rockumentaries
Rocks stars, with their charismatic personalities, god-like musical abilities and, more often than not, dramatic downward spirals, make fascinating documentary subjects. While nothing can match the raw, in-the-moment energy of a live concert, rockumentaries have become an institution in their own right, offering nuanced and revelatory portraits of musical artists on stage and off. These rock docs bring to light the history of some of the most iconic musical acts of all time and feature unforgettable live performances - no ticket necessary.
Selected Films
-
From Straight to Bizarre
In 1968 Frank Zappa set up the Bizarre and Straight record labels. FROM STRAIGHT TO BIZARRE reviews the astonishing music that came out on Bizarre and Straight and reveals the background, operations and the lives of the musicians, performers and management who made these...Watch Movie
-
Everyday Sunshine
From the shifting faultlines of Hollywood fantasies and the economic and racial tensions of Ronald Reagan's America, Fishbone rose to become one of the most original bands of the last twenty-five years. With a blistering combination of punk and funk they demolished the walls...Watch Movie
-
Instrument
A collaboration between filmmaker Jem Cohen and the Washington D.C. band Fugazi, covering the 10 year period of 1987-1996. Far from a traditional documentary, this is a musical document; a portrait of musicians at work. The project mixes sync-sound 16mm film, Super-8 video and a wide range of...Watch Movie
-
Kraftwerk and the Electronic Revolution
As innovative as they are influential, Kraftwerk's contribution to the development of electronic music since their formation in 1970 remains unsurpassed. Having inspired everyone from Bowie to Coldplay, Siouxsie to Radiohead, this bizarre collective have also proven partly...Watch Movie
-
Who is Harry Nilsson (and Why is Everybody Talkin' About Him)?
WHO IS HARRY NILSSON…?, a wildly entertaining, star studded documentary tells the story of one of the most talented and versatile singer songwriters in pop music history and the man the Beatles dubbed their favorite American musician. The Grammy® Award winners “Everybody’s...Watch Movie
-
X: The Unheard Music
The iconic L.A. band X changed the face of punk music with their vibrant, original style. We see the band at its peak in this legendary film, which took five years to make. As vital today as the day it was released twenty-five years ago, X: THE UNHEARD MUSIC, preserved by the...Watch Movie
-
Glastonbury Fayre
In the summer of 1971 the Glastonbury legend was born when the organizers decided to try and create a festival that would be a forerunner for an "alternative and utopian society." The festival encompassed Midsummer's Day, and in true medieval tradition, the area of Worthy...Watch Movie
-
Ike and Tina
In the early 70's, legendary rock photographer Bob Gruen and his wife Nadya toured with Ike & Tina Turner and filmed them performing, on the road and behind the scenes. Now for the first time ever this footage is unveiled. This is a look inside a hardworking band as well as an iconic couple.Watch Movie
-
Gogol Bordello Non-Stop
A vibrant chronicle of one of today’s most notorious and revered live bands, GOGOL BORDELLO NON-STOP follows Eugene Hütz’s gypsy-punk brigade around the world as they spread their liberating libertine musical gospel. Filmmaker Margarita Jimeno tracks their raucous gigs from...Watch Movie
-
Brian Eno: The Man Who Fell to Earth
Brian Eno: musician, composer, producer, music theorist, singer and visual artist. Probably best known for his early work with Roxy Music, his production duties for U2 and Coldplay and as one of the principal innovators of ambient music. This first-ever documentary film about...Watch Movie
-
Hey! Is Dee Dee Home?
Lech Kowalski's documentary feature is about the life and times of Ramones bassist and all-star burn out, Dee Dee Ramone (1952-2002). Dee Dee's life is a fascinating character study of a punk rock legend who never grew up. Listen to Dee Dee's account with director Lech...Watch Movie
-
Fela Kuti: Music is the Weapon
Fela Kuti is to African music what Bob Marley is to reggae: its prophet. All contemporary forms of black music, from funk to electronic, owe something to the irresistible groove of the Afrobeat sound that he created. He recorded more than 60 albums and spent a lifetime...Watch Movie
-
Athens, GA: Inside Out
Led by the success of the B-52's and R.E.M., Athens, Georgia was the most happening music scene in the country by the mid 80's. Following several different bands from different genres, this film paints Athens as a magical artistic environment where bands are not in...Watch Movie
