| Director Stephen Hijak Discovers Scott Walker |
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Scott Walker: 30th Century Mandirected by Stephen KijakScott Walker is one of rock music's most enigmatic figures. This astonishing look at the reclusive artist features exclusive footage of Walker recording his latest critically acclaimed album, "The Drift," as well as interviews with the man himself, famous fans and collaborators such as David Bowie, Radiohead, Brian Eno and Jarvis Cocker. Watch our interview with "Scott Walker: 30th Century Man" director Stephen Kijak:Many music documentaries are made by fans of the artists. But it is rare when a director-fan can make a film that embodies the essence of his subject, where the cinematic elements mesh with the musician's individual character and style. Director Stephen Kijak returns to Tribeca Film Festival after his crowd-pleaser doc "Cinemania" (Tribeca Film Festival 2003) with a truly distinguished ode to musician Scott Walker. If you aren't familiar with Walker, you will be with those he has influenced-David Bowie (also Executive Producer), Johnny Marr, Damon Albarn, Brian Eno, Radiohead and more-all of whom are featured in the film. The American-born Walker moved to London in 1965 and became part of the highly successful pop band The Walker Brothers ("The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore"), who rivaled even the Beatles in popularity. But only two years later Walker embarked on a solo career. It is his 1969 song "The Old Man's Back Again" that hooked Kijak on Walker's genius-his singular compositions and poetic lyrics. Instead of continuing his pop-stardom trajectory, Walker essentially became a recluse, releasing an album every decade or so, and shying away from the limelight and letting his work represent him. The fact that the filmmakers gained access for an interview with the idiosyncratic artist is a coup in itself, but Kijak and company also had the amazing chance to document the making of Walker's latest opus "The Drift"—a record exemplifying his eccentric arrangements and production, including a percussion beat created on a halved pig carcass. Incorporating exquisite sequences involving animation and dance, "Scott Walker: 30th Century Man"" is—like its subject—unique, captivating and an example of creative work that speaks for itself. |
