"MR. DYNAMITE: THE RISE OF JAMES BROWN" Documentary
directed by Alex Gibney // r&b | soul | funk | rock n' roll | legend | documentary film
directed by Alex Gibney // r&b | soul | funk | rock n' roll | legend | documentary film
HBO will debut Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown, a new documentary about the Godfather of Soul directed by Oscar winner Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side) and produced by Mick Jagger. The film airs on October 27th at 9 p.m.
Made with the support and cooperation of Brown's estate, the doc features rare and never-before-seen footage, interviews and photos from throughout the musician's career. The documentary will also include interviews with Jagger, Questlove, Chuck D, Rev. Al Sharpton, Maceo Parker, Clyde Stubblefield, Melvin Parker, Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis, Martha High, Bootsy Collins, Fred Wesley and many more.
"We had full access to amazing never-before-seen photos and video from James Brown's estate, which Alex Gibney used brilliantly to tell the story of James' career from its inception through its pinnacle," Jagger said in a statement. "We spoke with the extraordinary people who knew James well and worked alongside him throughout his career. By hearing their fascinating stories and memories, we were able to paint the full picture of James as both a musical artist and social activist, whose legacy and impact on the music industry is ever-present."
While the film will focus primarily on Brown's astonishing rise from a child abandoned by his parents to a superstar, it will also delve into his work as a social activist and examine his music within the greater context of American culture and history. "As a musician, ‘Mr. Dynamite’ was the essential funk pioneer, a hugely influential figure and one of the greatest live performers — ever," Gibney said. "Beyond his music, Brown’s cultural impact extends to the present day."
Mr. Dynamite comes on the heels of the new Brown biopic Get On Up, which starred Chadwick Boseman and was also produced by Jagger. Back in February, Rolling Stone caught up with Jagger on the set of Get on Up, where he spoke about studying thew way Brown performed, engaged the audience and, of course, danced: "The way he interacted with the audience, the timing, I was taking it all in and trying to understand the whole picture of it." - rollingstone.com
WATCH JAMES BROWN perform "SOUL POWER" LIVE in KINSHASA ZAIRE 1974.9 // PRESS*PLAY>>
Made with the support and cooperation of Brown's estate, the doc features rare and never-before-seen footage, interviews and photos from throughout the musician's career. The documentary will also include interviews with Jagger, Questlove, Chuck D, Rev. Al Sharpton, Maceo Parker, Clyde Stubblefield, Melvin Parker, Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis, Martha High, Bootsy Collins, Fred Wesley and many more.
"We had full access to amazing never-before-seen photos and video from James Brown's estate, which Alex Gibney used brilliantly to tell the story of James' career from its inception through its pinnacle," Jagger said in a statement. "We spoke with the extraordinary people who knew James well and worked alongside him throughout his career. By hearing their fascinating stories and memories, we were able to paint the full picture of James as both a musical artist and social activist, whose legacy and impact on the music industry is ever-present."
While the film will focus primarily on Brown's astonishing rise from a child abandoned by his parents to a superstar, it will also delve into his work as a social activist and examine his music within the greater context of American culture and history. "As a musician, ‘Mr. Dynamite’ was the essential funk pioneer, a hugely influential figure and one of the greatest live performers — ever," Gibney said. "Beyond his music, Brown’s cultural impact extends to the present day."
Mr. Dynamite comes on the heels of the new Brown biopic Get On Up, which starred Chadwick Boseman and was also produced by Jagger. Back in February, Rolling Stone caught up with Jagger on the set of Get on Up, where he spoke about studying thew way Brown performed, engaged the audience and, of course, danced: "The way he interacted with the audience, the timing, I was taking it all in and trying to understand the whole picture of it." - rollingstone.com
WATCH JAMES BROWN perform "SOUL POWER" LIVE in KINSHASA ZAIRE 1974.9 // PRESS*PLAY>>
