Film Q&As at the ICA
After last week's fascinating Q&A sessions with Mother's Milk director Gerry Fox, we're excited to have three special guests joining us this weekend to discuss their latest films. Leading the way, we have two documentaries on music exploring very different circumstances...
The concept of the musician as a myth and legend is explored in Hit So Hard, the story of Patty Schemel from the band Hole. Director P. David Ebersole explores the extreme life Patty led during the height of the grunge era, starting with how she and her friends got into music, to her lowest points when addicted to heroin and the tragic death of Kurt Cobain. Although dark in places, anecdotes from her peers and archive footage provide a multi-layered story of the industry in the 90s.
We’re joined by Patty herself on Friday after the 8.30pm screening. Attendees to this Q&A will also be entered into a prize draw to win a film poster signed by Patty.
Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet, brings to light the extraordinary story of Jason Becker – a guitarist destined for great things until he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. Being trapped in your own body would have put an end to most people’s musical ambitions but, as the film shows, Becker has continued to express his talent and creativity with the support of friends and family. Although completely immobilised, Becker continues to create music to this day with the help of an eye communication system his father invented. The film explores the debilitating nature of the disease but also the power of the mind over the body. An inspiring and hugely talented man, this film is not to be missed.
We’re joined by the director Jesse Vile this Saturday for a Q&A session – an opportunity to discuss his experience of meeting the man and his family, and the effect it has had on his work and creative output. Ahead of the Q&A, watch this interview with Jesse on the Guardian website.
On Sunday we have a Q&A session with Chris Smith, director of the equally affecting The Pool. Chris Smith, who has brought his lo-fi documentary style to a fictional narrative set in Goa, will be joined by journalist Nirpal Dhaliwal.
