The nominees for what is always the most entertaining awards show of the year were announced and it just so happens that a good friend of mine is up for an award. Keven McAlester’s debut film, You’re Gonna Miss Me was nominated in the Best Documentary category. I’ve seen the movie twice and it’s a damn powerful film.
Full disclosure. I could never be truly objective on this one. This man danced at my wedding, and I at his.
Having said that, I’ve seen the film twice. Both times I was completely engrossed. The movie tells the story of Roky Erickson, lead singer of pioneering psychedelic rock group The 13th Floor Elevators. The movie chronicles his drug-fueled, messianic assent. And, ultimately, his drug-fueled, hellish, insane asylum descent. It’s a “truth is stranger than fiction” story that punches you in the nose right away and demands your unflinching attention. It’s also smart enough to stay out of it’s own way. McAlester and cinematographer Lee Daniel find a way to plant themselves in the corner of the room and simply document all the craziness unfolding on the screen.
Ultimately, The movie hinges on one essential point. Even though most people who aren’t lucky enough to own the High Fidelity soundtrack have probably never heard of the group, it only takes a few seconds of seeing a young Roky Erickson on screen to realize that he was a star. Erickson’s howling, fire and brimstone microphone assault combined with the group’s signature southern rock/blues/country/psychedelic sound to create a revelation. Of course, the documentary takes it’s title from their incredible signature song. It’s the kind of thing that only young, unselfconscious geniuses make. See for yourself in this “Reason #4,080 why YouTube is incredible” clip. This is apparently a 1966 episode of a show called Where the Action Is.
Sadly, this is a rock music documentary. By law, it cannot end well. Without giving away too much of the story; Roky has some…difficulties. His younger brother decides to intervene via the court system so that he can provide Roky with what he believes to be better physical and mental care. The movie examines both the legal and familial struggle and the back story of Roky’s tragic rise and fall. There’s a whole creepy thing between Roky and his mother and…I’m not gonna give too much of it away, but it’s a really fucking good movie. In addition to having it’s world premiere at the 2005 South by Southwest Festival, the film won the 2005 AFI Silverdoc Best Music Documentary award. It was also a finalist for the Jury Prize at the 2005 London Film Festival.
If you’re interested, keep your eyes peeled to the site for information about theatrical/television/DVD release news.
Friend of mine or not, this show is always really fun television. Here is the full list of all the nominees.
Bonus video!
If my man Keven isn’t indie enough for you, this is an Old 97’s music video that he directed called In The Satellite Rides The Star. Note the Ghidrah poster in the background. That’s right. He’s down with Doom. More bonus points.
