The festival aims to find the most exciting and diverse movies from around the globe (and on home ground), from Placebo traversing Russia and the stories behind local Rock legends the Springbok Nude Girls and the Radio Rats, to troubled Jazz genius Frank Morgan, Norwegian Black Metal and American Punk, no stone is left unturned with a wide range of genres and themes (line-up & scheduled details below).
On-line booking at www.quicket.co.za/organisers/572-sound-on-screen-music-film-festival
SPRINGBOK NUDE GIRLS
SUNDAY 28 AUGUST, 8:30pm
Arno Carstens, Theo Crous and the filmmakers will be in attendance! (to introduce the movie)
(Festival Closing Screening)
A new documentary on the rise of this groundbreaking SA rock band.
Through a series of serendipitous events in the early 90’s in the small wine making town of Stellenbosch, Arno Carstens, Theo Crous, Adriaan Brand, Arno Blumer and Francois Kruger became The Springbok Nude Girls. Little did they know that they would go on to become one of the most loved rock bands South Africa has ever seen, known for their high energy stage antics and unique musical sound which combines Punk, Reggae, Scat, Metal, Funk and Jazz.
Directed by Michelle Pretorius
JIVING AND DYING: THE RADIO RATS STORY
SATURDAY 27 AUGUST, 8:30pm
Band members and filmmakers in attendance.
(Cape Town Premiere)
In late-1970s South Africa, there was a song on the radio about a spaceman called ZX Dan. It was by Radio Rats, a noisy little band from Springs, near Johannesburg. That song and hundreds more songwriter Jonathan Handley has penned since then remain an important part of South Africa’s musical landscape. They influenced James Phillips (aka Bernoldus Niemand) who went on to initiate the alternative Afrikaans music scene of the mid-‘80s, the Voëlvry “movement”. Jiving and Dying is an attempt to afford the Rats the place they deserve in the history of independent rock ’n’ roll in South Africa.
Directed by Michael Cross
SOUND OF REDEMPTION: The Frank Morgan Story
FRIDAY 26 AUGUST, 6:15pm
(African Premiere & festival opener)
The late jazz saxophonist Frank Morgan's tale of redemption from drug addict, conman and convict to beloved elder statesman of jazz.
Frank Morgan was a prodigal alto sax player who, like so many of his fellow musicians of the era, saw his career plagued by drugs and crime. What sets Frank apart is not just his exceptionally beautiful, classic alto playing, but also the amazing fact that he survived 30 years of revolving door incarceration and drug abuse and went on to a much heralded comeback career in the last 22 years of his life. His story is one of brilliant promise in his youth, a journey through the depths of hell, and redemption through his art.
The documentary film tells the story of his life and transformation through interviews with fellow musicians and people who were close to him. These are intercut with footage of Frank, and tracks of his very emotional music. Holding the story together is footage of the preparation and performance of a tribute concert in a prison. The years Frank spent in San Quentin were significant because there were so many great musicians “in residence” there that the far-sighted warden of the time allowed them to form a big band, known as The San Quentin All Stars. People came from all around the Bay Area to hear them play.Directed by NC Heikin
PLACEBO: Alt.Russia
FRIDAY 26 AUGUST, 8:30pm
(African Premiere)
As the band Placebo approach their 20th Anniversary they were given a unique opportunity to play ten cities throughout Russia. In a time when Russia was at the forefront of the world’s current affairs, little was actually reported outside Russia about the internal culture of the country.
Fronted by Placebo’s Stefan Olsdal, the film explores the alternative cultures that are present within Russia’s major cities. As the tour travelled through the country the band went out and met various artists, architects, animators and musicians, finding out about the alternative creative culture and celebrating all they have to offer.
From Krasnoyarsk in Siberia to St. Petersburg on the Baltic Sea, Placebo: Alt.Russia takes you on the band’s journey through Russia, meeting great characters on the way, investigating the alternative culture in Russia, and taking in the raw emotions of Placebo’s powerful concerts.
Directed by Charlie Targett-Adams
BLACKHEARTS
SUNDAY 28 AUGUST, 6:15pm
(African Premiere)
BLACKHEARTS takes a fresh look at the notorious Norwegian black metal music scene – but from a striking new angle. It travels to South America, Europe and the Middle East to follow three black metal diehards who hail from extreme religious and political backgrounds.
Hector, Kaiadas and Sina are willing to risk alienation, imprisonment – even death – to play black metal and live by its ideology. They worship the Norwegian black metal music they have modeled their lives around (with their bands From The Vastland, Naer Mataron and Luciferian)
BLACKHEARTS takes its audience deep into the minds, hearts and private lives of its characters. It explores how a music scene develops across religious, cultural and political lines – and provides comic relief on the things humans say, think and do when hijacked by passion.
Also features members from bands including Gogoroth, Immortal, Satyricon, Dark Throne, and music from Burzum, Keep Of Kalessin, Myrkskog, Gorgoroth, Manes. Directed by Fredrik Horn Akselsen and Christian Falch
1984 RIDING INTO HELL
SATURDAY 27 AUGUST, 4:00pm
(African Premiere)
George Orwell may have predicted that in 1984 the world would be a colorless place where humans relentlessly bowed down to big brother, but 1984 Riding Into Hell reflects a brave new world, one of loud rock & roll and excess.
Before Metallica became a household name, thousands of Hard Rock / Metal bands in as many towns across America dreamed of Rock stardom, but not everyone can make it. One of these bands was Forcer. This documentary takes you through their rise and fall in the fight for fame and fortune, but what makes this even more enlightening is the inclusion of news- and history making events, from the Reagan election, Cold War, introduction of the Apple Macintosh and Paul McCartney being bust for marijuana possession, to Richard Branson launching Virgin Airlines, the Union Carbide chemical disaster in India, Atari video games and classic TV ads from the era. Directed by Rudy Childs
A FAT WRECK: The Punk-u-mentary
SATURDAY 27 AUGUST, 6:15pm
(African Premiere)
Fat Wreck Chords... The influential music label proud to say they’ve spent the past 25 years “ruining punk rock”. A Fat Wreck tells the story of founders Fat Mike (of the legendary punk band NOFX) and his ex-wife Erin Kelly-Burkett, spanning the birth, growth, struggles, and survival of the Fat Wreck Chords label, with bands like Anti-Flag, Rancid, Rise Against, Sick Of It All, The Ataris, Lagwagon, Less Than Jake, Descendents, Against Me!, Masked Intruder, MxPx, Nerf Herder, No Use For A Name, Propagandhi, Subhumans, Tilt, Bad Cop / Bad Cop, The Flatliners, Face To Face, Get Dead, Mad Caddies, Me First And The Gimme Gimmes, None More Black, Morning Glory, Snuff, Star Fucking Hipsters, Randy, C.J. Ramone, Strung Out and loads more. Half inspirational story of chosen family and community, half debauchery and occasionally involuntary drug use... Features interviews and music from many the folks running this unconventional label and the bands they released.
LONG FORM SHORT DOUBLE FEATURE
(movie soundtrack and biography)
SUNDAY 28 AUGUST, 4:00pm
ROCKY: Music by Bill Conti
For fans of the classic Sylvester Stallone vehicle and movie soundtrack enthusiasts alike, this fascinating study has composer Bill Conti explain how the iconic music to ROCKY came about. Various other movie and music industry personalities (including many directly involved with the film's production) supplement his comments with their accounts, including director John Avildsen, Ron Fair, Gil Cates, Paul Mazursky, Richard Halsey.
plus
SUPERSTAR: The Karen Carpenter Story
This rare underground cult classic takes a look at the life and tragedy of Karen Carpenter (of The Carpenters) - depicted with Barbie dolls!
On-line booking: www.quicket.co.za/organisers/572-sound-on-screen-music-film-festival
Or call the Labia Theatre at 021 424 5927
Ticket: R45 each
FRIDAY 26 AUGUST
6:15pm - SOUND OF REDEMPTION - The Frank Morgan Story
8:30pm - PLACEBO: Alt.Russia
SATURDAY 27 AUGUST
4pm - 1984: RIDING INTO HELL
6:15pm - A FAT WRECK: The Punk-u-mentary
8:30pm - JIVING AND DYING: THE RADIO RATS STORY + band members & filmmakers in attendance
SUNDAY 28 AUGUST
4pm - (LONG FORM SHORT DOUBLE FEATURE) ROCKY: Music By Bill Conti + SUPERSTAR: The Karen Carpenter Story
6:15pm - BLACKHEARTS
8:30pm - SPRINGBOK NUDE GIRLS + band members & filmmakers in attendance
