3 March 2018

THE MUSIC STOPS HERE SCREENS AT MANIFF FOR BEST DOC SHORT

First off, this event at Manchester International Film Festival was one of the most important screenings of this year's festival circuit that I couldn't attend (thanks to the crazy snowstorms, England's transport infrastructure ground to a halt and I got stuck in Oxfordshire). Although we technically had full house based on ticket sales, some of the audience was wiped out by the blizzards. But the producer of the film, Alec Herron was there and did a short Q&A with the audience after the film.

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The Music Stops Here (check trailer on my Productions page) had an excellent reception and the audience seemed well-entertained. Also, people laughed at the points when we wanted them to (if you have already sat through the competition screening of your first DCP-export without prior checking you will know what I mean). 

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The state and fate of independent music venues is a subject that still commands plenty of attention in cities like Manchester if there is a piece of reporting or a documentary on the subject. As you may know, things are not all good on that front as property development invariably prioritises profit to preserving the cultural context in which they are developing. Honestly, I can't blame them for that, that's their job. In this case, though, we are talking about government-owned land, government-owned infrastructure development and a City Council that has not bothered too much protecting this cultural icon (or others, for that matter). Had the councilpeople ever set foot in the Star and Garter on a Friday night (a Smiths Night or indeed a Mozarmy Meet) the cultural draw of the place and the number of visitors it brings to Manchester would have been patently obvious. 

Fortunately, while the Star and Garter remains in limbo, the music goes on - and so does our documentary. Next up: Boomtown Film and Music Festival in Texas! 

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Until Then, May The Force Of The Indies Be With You.