Allison Anders, Director
2008 Don’t Knock the Rock Film Festival
Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Opening and Closing Nights 6/29 & Silent Movie Theater, Fairfax, Every Thursday night in July & August
Hollywood, California
June 28, 2008
By Victoria Joyce
(SugarBuzz Hollywood)
Part One of Two
In it’s fourth year the Don’t Knock the Rock Film Festival opens this Sunday at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery with a rare screening of 1096’s “The T.A.M.I. Show” which stands for “Teen Age Music International.” Hosted by Michael Des Barres and taking up residency at the Silent Movie Theater, nearby on Fairfax off Melrose, they will screen the dry ice cool collection of music films. Additionally every screening will present Q&A’s with film makers, DJ’s and live performances by featured artists
Summertime in Hollywood is filled with shows, festivals, street fairs and concerts. But this is BY FAR the best of the bunch. We caught festival director, Allison Anders on the phone and got the inside skinnie on this year’s stuff.
Us: Allison, thanks so much for your time today. So tell us about the DKTR Fest for this summer.
Allison: We provide a service for music nerds.
US: Tell us about the TAMI Show at the Cinespia at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Allison: It’s pretty amazing. I knew it was rare but didn’t fully realize how rare. They tried very hard to put it out on DVD but for what ever reason they couldn’t. We have some bonus footage too. It’s a stunning movie. In my opinion it’s the best concert movie ever made. It’s one concert in 1964 and it took this amazing approach by first time director, Steve Binder. You really feel like you are there. It’s the Rolling Stones, James Brown, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Leslie Gore, The Beach Boys and from England Gerry and the Pacemakers, Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas, hosted by Jan & Dean. And Garage Rockers, Cannibal and the Barbarians.
Us: It was the dawn of the British Invasion, Motown, California Surf Rock…
Allison: It even has one of our forefathers, Chuck Berry. And the back up band is The Wrecking Crew with Glenn Campbell on lead guitar under the direction of Phil Spector. Toni Basil choreographed and Teri Garr was a GoGo Dancer. All before they were icons. That’s the incredible feeling around this. James Brown’s performance is one of the greatest music performances every captured on film. And Marvin Gaye too.
Us: We love the structure of the festival, stretching it on Thursday nights throughout July and August. You give the audience a chance to connect with your films.
Allison: This is the great thing this year. The Silent Movie Theater has a music series already and they gave us Thursday nights. It makes more sense for us.
Us: Tell us about the rest of the films. The first one is about the Wrecking Crew.
Allison: This is a fantastic movie. “The Wrecking Crew” will screen on the following Thursday from “The T.A.M.I Show.” The Wrecking Crew is the back up band from the T.A.M.I. Show. But they were so much more than that. They played on almost every single pop record there was at the time. The Beach Boys, all the Phil Spector stuff, Lee Hazelwood, Nancy Sinatra and even Frank Sinatra himself. Directed by Denny Tedesco, son of Crew member Tommy Tedesco. It’s a beautiful tribute to his father. And it’s Tommy’s birthday, so we’ll celebrate. And we’ll screen vintage scopitones before and after. These very beautiful rich films made for juke boxes in the 50’s and 60’s.
Us: The next movie sounds really fantastic. “You Don’t Know Me, The Gary Wilson Story”
Allison: Oh, yes! It you don’t know who Gary is, it’s perfect. This movie will really give you insight into his contribution. Long heralded by Beck and music nerds. I really don’t’ know how to describe him. Soulful and really ahead of his time. And Gary will be there to perform.
Us: The next film on July 17th is “Such Hawks, Such Hounds” and this is an LA premiere, right?
Allison: It’s an LA premiere. It’s an amazing document to Heavy Rock. Starting in the late 60’s with Blue Cheer and right up to now with Dead Meadow and House on Fire. All the new stoner rock and psychelic rock. Earthless will be performing live.
Us: All the shows will have live music?
Allison: We’ll have DJ’s if not live music and a lot of amazing short films.
Us: The rest of July is on the 24th; Far East Punk Triple Feature: Beijing Bubbles/Rock 'N Japan/Wasted Orient. That sounds pretty specialized.
Allison: These films are amazing films. I got this film sent to me about a year ago, “Beijing Bubbles” about Chinese Punk Rock in Beijing. We got the call from the filmmakers a year ago, recommended by the filmmaker of “Transendental Feefback.” They had heard about the festival. And then I got contacted on Myspace from the Japanese filmmakers, and they had this Japanese punk rock movie. And then another call, with another Japanese Punk rock movie. I already have a Japanese Punk rock movie!!
TO BE CONTINUED.
Tickets available:
The Silent Movie Theater
611 Fairfax Avenue
LA CA 90036
323-655-2510
All screenings at the Silent Movie Theater unless noted otherwise.
Don’t Know The Rock Festival Lineup:
June 29, doors 7:30, film 9:00, The T.A.M.I Show (Hollywood Forever)
July 3rd, 8:00pm - The Wrecking Crew
July 10th, 8:00pm - You Think You Really Know Me: The Gary Wilson Story
July 17th, 8:00pm - Such Hawks, Such Hounds (L.A. premiere!)
July 24th, 7:30pm - Far East Punk Triple Feature: Beijing Bubbles, Rock 'N Japan and Wasted Orient (L.A. premieres!)
July 31st, 8:00pm - This Is The Life (West Coast premiere!)
July 31st, 10:15pm - Return Of The Rub-A-Dub Style (World premiere!)
August 7th, 8:00pm - Regional Punk Double Bill - You Weren't There: History of Chicago Punk (L.A. premiere!) + DFW Punk (West Coast Premiere!)
August 14th, 8:00pm - If It Ain't Stiff (U.S. premiere!)
SPECIAL NON-THURSDAY SCREENING: August 16th, 4:00pm - Sonic Youth: Sleeping Nights Awake (L.A. premiere!)
August 21st, 8:00pm - Music Nerd Double Bill: Under The Covers + Let Me Be Your Band (L.A. premieres!)
August 28th, 8:00pm - Far Off Town: Dunedin to Nashville (L.A. premiere!)
SPECIAL CLOSING NIGHT: “Ladies and Gentlemen the Fabulous Stains” at Cinespia, The Hollywood Forever Cemetery
http://silentmovietheatre.com/calendar/thursday.html#july