The ever-popular Music On Screen program at the 19th annual Calgary International Film Festival will showcase a broad spectrum of musical talent, from Joan Jett and Randy Bachman to an indie record label’s influence and the composer of multiple memorable television show scores.
“Films with musical themes have always been tremendously popular with our audiences,” said Stephen Schroeder, Executive Director of the Calgary International Film Festival. “This year we have a bounty of films in which music plays a key element. And with Calgary’s growing brand as a music city, we are excited to partner with the National Music Centre once again, both for screenings and live music.”
Here are the films in Music On Screen:
BACHMAN, directed by John Barnard
The story of Bachman Turner Overdrive founder Randy Bachman, from his early days of The Guess Who and hits like American Woman to today. Bachman’s singularly focused goal of music has taken him from spectacular highs to crushing lows.
BAD REPUTATION, directed by Kevin Kerslake
A raucous journey through Joan Jett’s life and career, from her early years as founder of “The Runaways,” her first collaborations with Kenny Laguna, and ultimately, to her status as rock and roll icon.
HEAVY TRIP, directed by Jukka Vidgreen and Juuso Laatio
In this offbeat comedy from Finland, Turo is stuck in a small village where the best thing in his life is being the lead vocalist for the amateur metal band Impaled Rektum.
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT -THE STORY OF WAX TRAX! RECORDS, directed by Julia Nash
The two music fanatics who started Wax Trax! moved their store to Chicago, then created their own label, with bands like Bauhaus, Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Revolting Cocks, and Front 242.
SATAN AND ADAM, directed by V. Scott Balcerek.
Against the backdrop of racial violence in 1968 Harlem, Adam Gussow, a young white Jewish harmonica player, and Sterling “Mr. Satan” Magee, an older black Mississippi bluesman, joined forces to blaze a new musical trail. Shot over 30 years, the film also features U2’s THE EDGE.
UP TO SNUFF, directed by Mark Maxey
American musician and composer W.G. Snuffy Walden overcame the excesses of rock and roll to find success as one of the most beloved composers in television history. The film features luminaries including Aaron Sorkin, Martin Sheen, Tom Arnold, Timothy Busfield, Fred Savage, Marshall Herskovitz, Steve Lukather, Chaka Khan and Eric Burdon, and scenes from The West Wing, Wonder Years, and thirtysomething.
LOVE, SCOTT, directed by Laura Marie Wayne
The raw tale of a gay musician who is attacked and paralyzed, set against a stunning score by Sigur Rós. Documentary director Laura Marie Wayne originally hails from Calgary.
MAGIC PIANO & THE CHOPIN SHORTS
This collaboration with Calgary Opera and Honens features several short films accompanied by live piano. Audience members are invited to “Opera at the Eddy” afterward. Tickets for this performance are already available at calgaryopera.com.
THREE PAGES, directed by Roger Gariepy
In this Canadian short film, Matin, an unassuming middle-aged accountant, learns he has only weeks to live. He is determined to learn the three pages of a Bach adagio for piano he’d abandoned as a child.
UNLOVABLE, directed by Suzi Yoonessi,
A musical comedy that could be considered anti-score. Actor John Hawkes (seen in in SMALL TOWN CRIME in last year’s festival) composed the music, an essential part of the plot.