May 02, 20 meet the unsung heroes behind the greatest songs of our time. Twenty feet from stardom pays homage to some of these unsung heroes, including. Winner of the 2014 academy award for best documentary feature, this film takes a behindthescenes look at the world of backup vocalists, weaving together interviews with. Winner of the 2014 academy award for best documentary feature, this film takes a look at the.
The documentary 20 feet from stardom seeks to rewrite the history of pop music by focusing attention on voices at once marginal and vital. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but weve had no idea who these. Backup singers live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but weve had no idea who these singers are or what lives they lead, until now. The film pays tribute to the unknown musicians who dedicated their talent and careers to creating the look and feel of popular music during a time of tumult and unrest in american history. And the oscar goes to 20 feet from stardom, who took home the best documentary statue at last nights academy awards. Think of gimme shelter by the rolling stones or hit the road jack with ray charles. The title of the wonderful documentary 20 feet from stardom can be taken literally. They have long deserved the spotlight, and the documentary gives them their due, allowing each subject to share not only their vocal genius, but also their histories, professional and personal. Find out where 20 feet from stardom is streaming, if 20 feet from stardom is on netflix, and get news and updates, on decider.
The award winning crowd pleaser that pays tribute to the inspirational true stories of the backup singers who shaped some of the most iconic songs of our time. The film details the story of several backup singers who likely will be unfamiliar to the viewer, but once you hear the songs, it will bring back memories. Jul 10, 20 20 feet from stardom is about clayton, darlene love, claudia lennear, tata vega, lisa fischer, and dozens of other mostly unheralded background singers who sang the hooks and brought the best out of some of the most memorable songs of the rock n roll era. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but weve had no idea who these singers are. In his compelling new film twenty feet from stardom, awardwinning director morgan neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story. Twenty feet from stardom 20 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. Documentary maker morgan neville trains a spotlight on the littleknown world of rock and. Allstar s uch a great idea for a documentary, and such a surprise to realise that it has never been done before. Millions know their voices, but no one knows their names. Why should you see a documentary about backup singers. Jun, 20 why should you see a documentary about backup singers. The cast and crew of the documentary 20 feet from stardom talk about what it was like not to receive credit for some of their.
The names of the subjects in morgan nevilles documentary, twenty feet from stardom, may not be familiar, and their faces may not ring a bell, but when darlene love takes up hes a rebel or merry clayton recreates the chilling wails of gimme shelter, theyre instantly familiar. How 20 feet from stardom backup singers define success. Darlene love, lisa fischer, tata vega, merry clayton, and judith hill have shared the stage with the likes of mick jagger, michael jackson, and sting. I walked out of morgan nevilles documentary 20 feet from stardom on air, wanting to tell everyone i knew that they had to see that movie. A key moment happens early on in 20 feet from stardom, a rousing and revelatory tribute that puts a muchdeserved radiant face on those undersung background singers that many of. Midler and others, 20 feet from stardom is a rousing and illuminating film that explores artistic aspiration and examines a moneyfocused music industry that is often treacherous and exploitative.
The plight of backing singers is to stand just outside the spotlight, sometimes by choice, but. Jun 11, 20 twenty feet from stardom, filmmaker morgan nevilles new documentary, is a reminder that most of pop musics catchiest hooks, riffs and refrains were sung by voices harmonizing in the background. Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies. With darlene love, merry clayton, lisa fischer, judith hill. With twenty feet from stardom, some of the most notable finally get their due, but more than a tribute, the film is a recognition of the talent and sacrifice that many of these vocalists have. In his compelling new film twenty feet from stardom, awardwinning. Ultimately, 20 feet from stardom is a celebration of these amazing vocalists. The oscarwinning documentary 20 feet from stardom, puts them firmly. It was later mentioned as the 199thbest movie of the decade by rotten tomatoes. Spotlighting background singers in twenty feet from stardom. Many of our favorite songs feature backup singers who often get overshadowed by the lead singer. The singers will find out if the film gets nominated on january 16, but in. Twenty feet from stardom, filmmaker morgan nevilles new documentary, is a reminder that most of pop musics catchiest hooks, riffs and refrains were sung by voices harmonizing in. Ithaca times compared the film to the 2012 book the wrecking crew.
Were thrilled to have won best documentary feature at last nights critics choice movie awards. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing 20 feet from stardom near you. If 20 feet from stardom has a flaw, its one thats impossible to fix. Get 20 feet from stardom dvd and bluray release date, trailer, movie poster and movie stats. The film details the story of several backup singers who likely. Darlene love, merry clayton, lisa fischer, judith hill, mick jagger, morgan neville. The websites critical consensus reads rich, insightful, and occasionally heartbreaking, 20 feet from stardom is an energetic tribute to the passion. Backup singers have an absolutely vital place in popular music, but many of them never advance beyond that role, meaning that these incredibly gifted musicians. When it pipped the act of killing to the best documentary oscar more than a few eyebrows were raised but it is easy to see why this appealed to academy voters as it is not only touching and soulful but also a film that offers a potted history of america through the lens of contemporary music.
Its only right that the film strikes a celebratory. Jul 09, 20 i walked out of morgan nevilles documentary 20 feet from stardom on air, wanting to tell everyone i knew that they had to see that movie. Jun 14, 20 20 feet from stardom is a chronicle of exploitation and appropriation in other words, the music business and also a series of tales of professional commitment and artistic triumph. Jun 14, 20 the title of the wonderful documentary 20 feet from stardom can be taken literally. In his compelling new oscar winning film 20 feet from stardom, director morgan neville shines a. In his compelling new film 20 feet from stardom, awardwinning director morgan neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the. Darlene love, merry clayton, lisa fischer, judith hill. These singersmostly female, mostly blackbrought depth and soul to the records. Meet the unsung heroes behind the greatest songs of our time. Featuring springsteen, jagger, sting, bette midler, stevie wonder and more. Documentary maker morgan neville trains a spotlight on. Morgan nevilles film is about a cross section of female backup singers who, though uniformly glorious. Twenty feet from stardom pays homage to some of these unsung heroes, including darlene love the uncredited lead voice on some of phil spectors most memorable productions of the 1960s, merry clayton who contributed a striking vocal cameo on the rolling stones gimme shelter, lisa fischer who has appeared on albums by sting, tina turner.
54 1137 1208 1409 1114 307 1038 166 1330 1556 1492 523 1113 382 70 919 943 1120 1490 1056 317 1218 1310 84 254 91 424 1407 233 1060 890 510 586