One of my favorite films from the festival trail this year is coming to The Denver Film Festival presented by Starz, and it will be a film and music event unlike any you have seen. The new documentary by Lev Anderson and Chris Metzler called Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone will play on Thursday November 11th at 9:00PM at the Denver FilmCenter/Colfax, then again on Saturday November 13th at 4:15PM at the Starz FilmCenter. If you don't know about Fishbone, you have a chance to get the story behind one of the most original and energetic live acts ever. I had the opportunity to recently talk with the film's co-directors and producers, Anderson and Metzler, as well as Angelo Moore and Norwood Fisher, two of the remaining members from the original band. You can find those interviews linked at the end of the article. For now though, the focus will be on the film itself and how quality a piece of filmmaking and entertainment it truly is. I was able to see the film earlier this year at The Los Angeles Film Festival, then again, complete wth a Fishbone concert after the film at The Tucson Film and Music Festival.
A feature documentary delving into the harmony and chaos of Los Angeles based performance legends Fishbone, Everyday Sunshine explores the entertaining and touching human history of well, it is tough to classify their music. Let’s just say Fishbone defies genre, as this all black group mixes funk, rock, punk, calypso, big band, jazz, ska and any other style they see fit to fulfill their artistic endeavors and desires. These guys are considered by many to be the greatest live performing band they have ever seen, putting on energetic shows and crossing into the predominantly white California punk scene beginning in the early 80s and continuing on to this day, still touring around the world and delighting both new fans and old ones.
Throughout the film, the viewer is peppered by countless music legends talking of their admiration and respect for Fishbone and their original sound including Flea, Ice-T, Branford Marsalis, Perry Farrell, Eugene Hütz, and George Clinton among others. Featuring interviews with all the members of the band, Everyday Sunshine illuminates the eccentricity of this group as well as their humanness, all of which makes them documentary subjects who are easy for the viewer to identify with. It also reaches out to a much broader audience as this film is not just for fans of Fishbone. The compelling story of human interaction told by Anderson and Metzler, this rise and fall of fortunes, as well as the struggles and passions that arise in the creation of art are concepts most people can empathize with. Everyday Sunshine is also without question a film for fans of solid documentary filmmaking, as Anderson and Metzler understand well that a film must tell an interesting story as well as an entertaining one.
Access to the band is surely important to creating a film like this, but a formation of trust between the band and filmmakers is perhaps even more critical. This trust was showcased by the many intimate moments with the band, honest, open thoughts they shared with the viewer, and all were captured with a sense and respect for the visual nature of film, but not in a way that detracts from the story that is ultimately being told. Props for this aspect go to Anderson and Metzler, but they also go to the film's Director of Photography and Editor, Jeff Springer, whose artistic sensibility truly enhanced the look of the piece and the story unfolding onscreen by allowing time to absorb moments that occur while keeping a pace in other instances that resembles the feeling one must get when they see a live performance by Fishbone.
In the end, Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone is triumph of storytelling filled with a compelling cast of characters from the band, an unprecedented collection of performance footage that will blow people away, and the humble sensibility that anyone can identify with the human struggles and successes that the men of Fishbone encounter. One can only hope that this film further introduces music fans to the brilliance that is Fishbone, bridging cultural gaps through their music and entertaining more and more fans every day. But don't just take my word for it, take advantage of your chance to see both the film and the band perform live tonight.
Head over to The Denver Film Festival website for ticket information and also be sure to check out the links below for more information on Fishbone and the film Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone. If you are interested in following along with the coverage of Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone, The Denver Film Festival, or film festivals in the future, you can receive these articles directly as they are published by clicking on the “Subscribe” button at the top of this piece. You can also follow me on Twitter by searching for ericshlapack or by clicking the link below.
5 out of 5 Stars
For more info:
The Denver Film Festival presented by Starz
Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone
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