Legendary pop music genius, record producer Phil Spector created the "wall of sound" behind some of the greatest hits of the '60s: Be My Baby, He's a Rebel, Da Doo Ron Ron, You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling, to name just a few. Today he is imprisoned serving 19 years to- life for the murder of B-movie actress Lana Clarkson. During his first trial (a hung jury), Spector gives a rare freewheeling interview to Vikram Jayanti, filmed at his castle, seated before the white piano which he bought with John Lennon, for Imagine. He lucidly holds forth on his life and work: his father's suicide when he was a child; the process through which he achieved his distinctive sound; his friendship with Lennon; and his case that (despite Paul McCartney's position), he salvaged the Beatles' album, Let It Be. Then there is Spector's curious enmity toward Tony Bennett and Buddy Holly ("he got a postage stamp even though he was only in rock 'n' roll three years"), and a grandiosity that has him likening himself to Bach, da Vinci, Michelangelo and Galileo. And, yes, there is an endless parade of hairstyles and flamboyant outfits. He even talks about his inspiration for the afro hairstyle he famously flaunted in court.
"The great songwriter and record producer, the sonic auteur of the shoop-shoop era, has seen his vast musical achievements eclipsed, in recent years, by his tabloid tribulations-notably his 2009 conviction on charges of murdering the actress Lana Clarkson. This documentary by Vikram Jayanti has the great virtue of delving deeply into Spector's artistic legacy, through well-chosen video and sound clips, incisive and analytical supertitles by Spector's biographer Mick Brown, and, most of all, by Spector's own recollections. He is featured a series of in-depth interviews, in which he discusses his classic work in illuminating detail and also insistently reminds viewers, in case they've forgotten, what a great artist he is."
- Richard Brody - The New Yorker
USA / UK · 2008 · 102 MINS · A BBC ARENA/VIXPIX FILMS PRODUCTION
Date and Time :
Friday, August 20 - 7:30 PM & 9:30 PM
Two-time Academy nominated songwriter Carol Connors In Person.
Sat., August 21 - 7:30 PM & 9:30 PM
Sun., August 22 - 4:30 PM & 7:30 PM
Monday, August 23 - 7:30 PM
Tuesday, August 24 - 7:30 PM
Wednesday, August 25 - 7:30 PM
Venue : Spielberg Theatre
Discussion following opening night screening with director Vikram Jayanti. The opening night screening only (8/19) is in the Lloyd E. Rigler (616 seat theatre). August 20 - 25 screenings are in the Spielberg Theatre.
THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY ran in July at Film Forum New York and will also open at the Jacob Burns Film Center in NY, the Avon Theatre in Connecticut, the Roxie Theatre in San Francisco and the San Rafael Film Center in the SF Bay area. Other theatres to be announced. Jim Brown at Argot is the booker.
