Which music documentary is really worth it? Learn more here!
Monterey Pop – Da Pennebaker (1968)
Since Pennebaker illuminates one of the first big music festivals up close. Monterey Pop heralded the “Summer of Love” in California in 1967 and was the second major event of the music at all, on which subsequent festivals such as Woodstock were based. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Who, Janis Joplin and Otis Redding were there.
Woodstock – Michael Wadleigh (1970)
Woodstock went into history, is considered the symbol for “Love and Peace” and the festival experience par excellence.
Michael Wadleigh allows spectators an insight into the “Happening” of the sixties and preserves enough distance from a critical look.
Gimme Shelter – Albert and David Maysles (1970/2002)
When Woodstock gave the hippies a confirmation of “Love and Peace”, the “Altamond Speedway Free Festival” of the Rolling Stones took away at the end of 1969.
Albert and David Maysles document the events in Altamont, where Hells Angels murdered an African American and a horde of young hippies walked on a bad LSD.
I am Trying to Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco – Sam Jones (2002)
Real artists are uncompromising, the alternative country band Wilco in Sam Jones’ Doku proves. The film is about the creation of its fourth studio album “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” and its struggle for the independence of Record labels who wanted to tailor their music.
The Howlin ‘Wolf Story – The Secret History of Rock & Roll – Don McGlynn (2003)
Howlin ‘Wolf is considered one of the most important blues musicians who named Rolling Stones as one of their most important influences “The Hownlin’ Wolf Story” is not only the Documentation about one of the original “Bluesman” from Mississippi, but about the history of Chicago Blues.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cogzsn4k-uo&list=pl7j9nbfqkd3l91hknw2ybkt3xjyo1dtev
No Direction Home – Martin Scorsese (2005)
Bob Dylan takes over the story of his own history and looks at his life retrospectively. Scorsese combines recordings from Da Pennebaker’s “Don’t Look Back” (1967) and Murray Lerner’s “Festival!” (1967) with its own material and throws light on Dylan’s career ends in his motorcycle accident in 1966.
The Devil and Daniel Johnston – Jeff Feuerzeig (2005)
The film tells of the career of the singer-songwriter from the 1970s and its struggle with its own demons. Daniel is obsessed with belief in the devil, suffers from schizophrenia and has to spend time in a psychiatric institution. His inner world finds an expression in Johnston’s music – and is shown here.
Guns N ‘Roses: The Story – Randy Martin (2007)
“Guns N ‘Roses: The Story” is a must for all fans of the once “most dangerous rock band in the world”. With original recordings from their past and interviews with the musicians and their friends and colleagues, Randy Martin is a coherent overall portrait of the band and their history.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4vrlj3vuzc
Patti Smith: Dream of Life – Steven Sebring (2008)
In Sebring’s film, Patti Smith conveys the mood of the time and at the same time looks at it reflectively from the present. “Dream of Life” is a poetic and profound documentary about the life of a female rock star in a profession dominated by men.
Michael Jackson’s this is it – Kenny Ortega (2009)
Even if this film focuses on the performer Michael Jackson and the rehearsals for his planned, never found last tour, he shows a previously unknown side of the artist. Backstage shots, rehearsals and raw material allow a look behind the scenes of the persona Michael Jackson.
Lemmy – Greg Olliver, Wes Orshoski (2010)
He is considered one of the pioneers of heavy metal and one who lived and breathed rock ‘n’ roll. He described himself as “49% motherfucker” and “51% Son of a Bitch”. “Lemmy” lets other musicians from the rock world have their say and speak to the protagonists themselves through music and appearances.
Searching for Sugar Man – Malik Bendjelloul (2012)
“Searching for Sugar Man” became the surprise film of the 85th Oscar Awards in 2013. The film represents the search of fans Stephen Segerman and Craig Strydomin in the 1990s after the Rodriguez believed to be dead and made the previously unknown American musician a star.
Marley – Kevin Macdonald (2012)
“My wealth is life,” Marley once replied to a journalist who asked him if he had many possessions. “Marley” shows the lives of a person who stirred Jamaica in the 1960s and wished nothing more than peace. Kevin Macdonald not only focuses on his life, but also throws new light on the last days of the musician before his death.
Bewerre of Mr. Baker – Jay Bulger (2013)
As a drummer of the British rock band Cream, Peter Edward “Ginger” Baker won a call as a talented showman, but also as a “Bad Boy” of rock music through rough manners and a self-destructive lifestyle. Starting in South Africa, where the musician had withdrawn, the film in retrospect illuminates the life of Ginger Baker.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz4c3djygwo
20 Feet From Stardom – Morgan Neville (2014)
Behind every big rock star are women whose voices are heard by all over the world and whose names are nobody knows. “20 FEET FROM STARDOM” tells the stories of background singers such as Darlene Love or Merry Clayton, who made their voices available to sizes such as the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder or Bruce Springsteen.
Cobain: Montage of Heck – Brett tomorrow (2015)
Pictures from Cobain’s childhood coupled with recordings of live performances and backstage material will be carried out poetically by board tomorrow in a total cinematographic work of art. Interviews complete the story around the musician and father Kurt Cobain, his fear of being alone, the urge after the next kick and his tragic end.
Jimi Hendrix Electric Church – John McDermot (2015)
Jimmy Hendrix was a god among the sun and flower children of the 1960s. Hendrix himself shaped the concept of “Electric Church”: his music was supposed to convert into people’s souls. Hendrix ‘magic reached the masses and shaped a generation, as McDermonts Doku illustrated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65lgl2J5408
Amy – Asif Kapadia (2015)
Amy Winehouse, one of the greatest stars of our time, which, like many in front of her, was doomed to alcohol and drugs. “Amy” shows the soul singer up close, with footage from childhood and youth, and tells the tragic story of a girl who just wanted to sing and became famous too quickly.
Rammstein – in America – Hannes Rossacher, Arte (2015)
No German band is as famous in the USA as Rammstein. The Arte documentary takes a look at the band’s career from the former GDR and places a special focus on their personal and professional relationship with America. At the center of the film: Rammstein’s legendary concert in Madison Square Garden, New York, 2010.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQz9omnmynm
Mistak for Strangers – Tom Berninger (2013)
Matt Berninger knows many as the front man of The National. But few know him as the brother of failed horror film director Tom Berninger.
“Mistak for Strangers” is the story of two brothers, who seem to get to know the National on a tour of The National for the first time and let us watch.