Chet Baker biopic and country music documentary premiere at Mary D. Fisher Theatre
Sedona AZ (April 17, 2016) – The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premieres of “Born To Be Blue” (the Chet Baker biopic starring Ethan Hawke) and “Country: Portraits of An American Sound” (a visual odyssey through the history of country music) showing April 22-27 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.
BORN TO BE BLUE
Ethan Hawke lights up the screen as jazz legend Chet Baker, whose tumultuous life is thrillingly reimagined with wit, verve, and style to burn.
In the 1950s, Baker was one of the most famous trumpeters in the world, renowned as both a pioneer of the West Coast jazz scene and an icon of cool. By the 1960s, he was all but washed up, his career and personal life in shambles due to years of heroin addiction.
In his innovative anti-biopic, director Robert Budreau zeroes in on Baker’s life at a key moment in the 1960s, just as the musician attempts to stage a hard-fought comeback, spurred in part by a passionate romance with a new flame (Carmen Ejogo). Creatively blending fact with fiction and driven by Hawke’s virtuoso performance, “Born to Be Blue” unfolds with all the stylistic brio and improvisatory genius of great jazz.
Critics and audiences are raving about “Born To Be Blue”. Ben Dickinson from Elle Magazine calls the film “Stirring! Ethan Hawke’s performance rises to jaw-dropping, Oscar-worthy intensity!”
“Born To Be Blue” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre April 22-27. Showtimes will be 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Monday, April 22, 23 and 25; and 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 26 and 27.
COUNTRY: PORTRAITS OF AN AMERICAN SOUND
“Country: Portraits of An American Sound” takes audiences on a visual odyssey through the history of country music as captured by renowned photographers who have portrayed the ideals, lifestyle and personalities of country music artists for 90 years. From the Carter family to Taylor Swift, the film documents country’s rise from innocent beginnings to international phenomenon as immortalized in the evolving image of the country artist, from rhinestone cowboy to pot-smoking outlaw to stadium-filling megastar.
The film features imagery and commentary from Grand Ole Opry photographer Les Leverett, iconic music photographers Henry Diltz and Raeanne Rubenstein, celebrity portraitist Leigh Wiener, documentarian Henry Horenstein, and contemporary shooters David McClister and Michael Wilson.
Over 20 country music artists also appear, including Rosanne Cash, Roy Clark, Merle Haggard, Lyle Lovett, Charley Pride, LeAnn Rimes, Kenny Rogers, Tanya Tucker, The Band Perry and Keith Urban. The film weaves iconic images, historical footage and famous country songs into a dynamic look at this uniquely American sound.
“Country: Portraits of An American Sound” includes never-before-seen photographs, footage and unforgettable moments with stars from the country music world including Garth Brooks, Lee Ann Womack, Ronnie Milsap, Lorrie Morgan, and fashion designer Manuel. Additional interviews include: Bill Anderson, Terri Clark, Brenda Lee, Connie Smith, Marty Stuart, Tanya Tucker and Holly Williams.
“Country is where the heart is, but country is more than music; and photography has captured it,” said country superstar Kenny Rogers.
“Country: Portraits of An American Sound” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre April 23-27. Showtimes will be 4 p.m. on Saturday and Monday, April 23 and 25; and 7 p.m. on Sunday and Wednesday, April 24 and 27.
Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members. For tickets and more information, please call 928-282-1177. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.org.