The acclaimed music documentary DIG! is returning to cinemas to mark its twentieth anniversary.
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Winner of the Sundance Grand Jury prize in 2004, DIG!, directed by Ondi Timoner, charted the differing journeys of two American rock bands, The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Bloodbath. It was shot over a seven-year interval, following the bands as they toured and documenting the artistic tensions between them.
The movie has been prolonged, enhanced and reimagined to create a brand new version – DIG! XX – which is being re-released this spring. Initially narrated by The Dandy Warhols’ Courtney Taylor, the brand new model options new narration by The Brian Jonestown Bloodbath’s Joel Gion.
DIG! XX will probably be in UK cinemas for one night time solely, on March 25, with a restricted launch to observe from March 28.
Right here’s the official synopsis: “The unique documentary captured a definitive second in indie music historical past and garnered awards all over the world, while being praised for its authenticity and boldness. DIG! XX brings the epic story to the current, diving into the conflict between artwork and fame as two indie bands wrestle with the pull of the mainstream and the worth of success.
“From high-stakes ambitions to the gritty actuality of life on the street, the documentary reveals an unfiltered view of rock-and-roll’s internal struggles whereas spotlighting the challenges that fueled two of the 1990’s most influential indie bands.”
In an interview with NME in 2024, The Dandy Warhols’ Taylor mentioned: “Hopefully the twentieth anniversary of DIG! will assist visibility for our new report ‘Rockmaker’, however as for the film, I don’t care a method or one other.
“It wasn’t correct. It ended up being a really imply and nasty affair. We have been simply there as a foil to The Brian Jonestown Bloodbath. It was a horrible scenario. Apart from vibrant moments of [Brian Jonestown Massacre member] Joel Gion being humorous, it’s simply straight-up negativity.”
When requested if he regretted doing the movie, Taylor mentioned: “Yeah, undoubtedly. Individuals weren’t used to being filmed again then. We have been advised that she [director Ondi Timoder] was manipulating the Jonestown in the identical method.
“She would get of their van and go: ‘Hey, the Dandys are working within the studio with David Bowie now. Something like that occurring with you?’, and they might simply get pissed and work themselves as much as her getting the shot.”
He continued: “There was nothing about music; she’d simply attempt to get one thing offended out of us. She’d wake me after two hours sleep at midday saying: ‘We’ve obtained the president of Capitol Information on the telephone. You’ve obtained to speak to him!’, as I’m about to throw up and my head hurts.
“But it surely all makes for a enjoyable watch – I simply want it wasn’t my band in it. It was an enormous turning level. It was brutal for us. It made Anton’s profession although. He wouldn’t have had a profession with out it.”