The illustrious IN-EDIT International Music Documentary Festival is officially ON! Several locations across the Netherlands will have the pleasure to welcome screenings of some of the top music documentaries out there. Mark your calendars, check the programme, get your tickets, tell your friends and fam, and if you're like us, you'll grab this opportunity to joyfully return to the movie theatres in style.
IN-EDIT is an international music documentary festival launched in 2003 in Barcelona. Since then, editions have been organized worldwide with more than 100,000 visitors per year. An environment that is brimming with love for film and music. After two successful Dutch editions and an IN-EDIT on tour in 2020, the international music documentary festival wants to create an experience with "films from the backstage" that shows what happens behind the scenes and also bridges the gap between the music and film industry. Introductions and Q&A's will be organized (online) and of course with as much live music as possible!
This time around, we had the glorious pleasure to get a sneak peek at a few of the films from the announced agenda, and we'd like to bring you the scoop on some of this years favorites, all of which are Dutch premieres in the cinemas.
SISTERS WITH TRANSISTORS
Lisa Rovner, France, 2020, 89 min
Twizzling all the dials, this documentary plugs you into the high frequencies of the iconic women who trail-blazed electronic music, and no I’m not referring to Nina Kraviz. We go back to the 1950s with Daphne Oram, a talented pianist who worked for BBC studios and became infatuated with radiophonic effects after hours. This Mad-Men secretary-looking genius developed eclectic sci-fi soundscapes and described the experience as “a modern magic”.
There was Delia Derbyshire (great name) who eerily was inspired by the air raid sounds from WW2 and co-wrote the original Doctor Who Theme in 1963 (in my opinion a universal banger). A lot of the sisters’ successes, like Bebe Barron, was thanks to sci-fi soundtracks and advertisements. Unfortunately the musicians union refused to acknowledge that they were composing music, through fear that machines would steal their jobs. There is a lot of exquisite footage in this film ranging from the early 50s up to the 90s and even more fascinating icons that I don’t want to spoil, so do yourself a favour and go see Sisters With Transistors.
Rating: Mint
*Film Condition Board below
A TUBA TO CUBA
Danny Clinch/T.G. Herrington, USA/CUBA, 2019, 82m
This beautifully shot documentary with an awesome title took us from the heart of New Orleans straight to the shores of Cuba, following the footsteps of the leader of New Orleans’ Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Ben Jaffe. His parents, Allan and Sandra Jaffe, have founded the famed Preservation Hall during divisive times when it was still illegal for blacks and whites to mingle amongst each other.
Seeking to fulfil his late father's dream of retracing their musical roots to the Caribbean shores, Ben and the band are embarking on a pilgrimage. Traversing post-embargo Cuba in search of the indigenous music that gave birth to New Orleans jazz. Epic encounters with some of Cuba’s most iconic musicians, leading to most spontaneous performances, soulful collaborations, real conversations.
A Tuba to Cuba celebrates the triumph of the human spirit expressed through the universal language of music. It will resonate with anyone who is a music fan, period. Jazz or not. At the end of the day, the film challenges us to dig deeper. To tap into that common ground we all have inside of us. To follow the purpose of connecting with one another, across cultures. You must see this one.
Rating: Near Mint
WEGGEWIST - THE MUSICAL LEGACY OF HANS HENKEMANS
Harro Henkemans, The Netherlands, 2021
This film takes you into the story of Hans Henkemans, an extraordinary character who was one of Hollands’ most revered, but somehow forgotten, classical pianists ever. He actively performed for about 25 years in historic places such as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. From 1945 till the late 60s he was a frequent face there but when the music started changing to a more experimental approach, this led to a clash amongst composers. That and various health problems made him go into early retirement as a performing musician. Next to his music Hans was also a graduated psychotherapist, this is something he picked up full-time after leaving music in 1970. The incredible story is told through astonishing archived footage, interviews with people who worked closely with him and a lot of previously unreleased tape recordings of talks he did with a journalist. It’s beautifully done and shows you his honest story. Oh and you’re getting a great historic portrait of Holland as well, bikes included. Rating: Very Good
THE GO-GO'S
Alison Ellwood, USA, 2020, 97m
The Go-Go’s documentary has an exterior that may seem like a classic episode of True Hollywood Story, but this film shows the arduous fight for female representation in a male monopolised world of pop-punk and record deals. If you haven’t heard of The Go-Go’s then wrap your ears around these classic 80s anthems: We Got The Beat and Our Lips Are Sealed.
They were the first all female band, playing their own instruments, writing their own songs and were topping the charts above their male predecessors. With tales of deceit, determination, addiction and a decadent amount of eyeshadow, these pop-punk misfits pushed the boundaries of punk not through violence or vulgarity but merely by owning vaginas. I’m going to rate this film a Very Good.
