When You’re Strange: A Film About The Doors

www.whenyourestrangemovie.com

Documentary Feature Films, U.S.A. 2008 ‐ 90 mins. ‐ Color & b/w

Contact Publicist: Yolanda Borrego 210.218.9436, [email protected] Movie Synopsis

Photo Credit: www.images.eonline.com

“When You’re Strange: A Film About the Doors” shows the riveting story of The Doors and their climb to fame through never before seen footage. Directed by award-winning Tom DiCillo and narrated by Johnny Depp, the film displays the true life of one of America’s most iconic bands through the eyes of it’s four brilliant and talented artists.

This documentary takes you from the beginning of the band’s history in 1965 with the meeting of Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek at the University of California in Los Angeles to the height of the band’s fame and eventual death of lead singer Morrison in 1971. Showing the band’s members both on and off stage, “When You’re Strange” illustrates the unique relationship between singer Jim Morrison, drummer John Densmore, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, and guitarist Robby Krieger.

The band’s first feature documentary of its kind got its unique title from The Doors’ hit song, “People are Strange.” Through the use of original footage and music, this documentary goes beyond telling the band’s history but also truly depicts a nostalgic moment in time.

“When You’re Strange: A Film About The Doors” was directed by Tom DiCillo, narrated by Johnny Depp, produced by Wolf Films/Strange Pictures, in association with Rhino Entertainment, and released by Abranorama. The documentary is scheduled to be released in select theatres on April 9, 2010.

Statement from the Director

Photo Credit: www.tomdicillo.com/blog Tom DiCillo

As a true fan of The Doors growing up, I was honored to work on this film and am truly proud of its end product. My first experience with the doors was as a 14 year old listening to their music on the radio. I remember knowing that something about their music related to me because of its uniqueness and I found myself learning more and more about this as I worked on this film. I found myself learning so much that the film kept changing month after month as I constantly uncovered new insights.

The concept I created in my mind was for the footage to tell the true story of The Doors through a narrative feature rather than as a traditional documentary form, and I believe that we succeeded in that. I am honored of Johnny Depp’s participation and believe that his narration adds so much that it takes the film into an entirely different dimension.

What I found most interesting about myself while working on this film was the admiration that I grew for Jim Morrison’s dedication to being a filmmaker. I can relate to him more in that sense and feel a greater connection with his spirit now that I have spent so much time working with his film on this project.

I am proud of this film and feel that this documentary makes the iconic band members of The Doors human during the changing social atmosphere that they lived through. I also want to congratulate everyone who worked on this film for the positive recognition it has received at numerous film festivals.

About the Cast

Johnny Depp Narrator

Photo Credit: showclix.com

Born John Christopher Depp II on June 9, 1963 in Owensboro, Kentucky to Betty Sue Palmer and John Christopher Depp., Sr and raised in Florida. Dropped out of school at 15 in the hopes of becoming a musician. Married to make‐up artist, Lori Anne Allison on December 24, 1983 and Depp held odd jobs including a salesmen for pens. It was when Allison introduced Depp to Nicolas Cage that Cage encouraged Depp to pursue in an acting career.

Depp is first remembered for his lead role in the television series “21 Jump Street” and became thought of as a teen idol. Moving away from that image, Depp took up the lead role in “Edward Scissor Hands” Depp eventually divorced Allison in 1985 and had a number of other girlfriends but has not remarried. He has two children, Lily‐Rose Melody Depp born on May 27, 1999 and John Christopher Jack III, called Jack, born on April 9, 2002.

During his career, Depp created a close relationship with director Tim Burton and has so far collaborated with him on seven different films. Starting with “Edward Scissorhands” to his latest film, “Alice in Wonderland” where Depp plays the quirky character of the Mad Hatter.

The Doors

Jim Morrison

Photo Credit: top‐10‐list.org

James Douglas Morrison, better known as Jim Morrison, was born on Dec 8, 1943, in Melbourne, Florida to Admiral George Stephen Morrison and Clara Clarke Morrison. Best known as the lead singer of The Doors, Morrison was also a talented poet, songwriter, and filmmaker.

Starting at a young age, Morrison started writing poetry that later turned into the hit songs he is remembered for today. After moving to Los Angeles and enrolling in the UCLA film program, Morrison met keyboardist Ray Manzarek while living on the beach.

Morrison and Manzarek became the first members of The Doors and were joined by drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robby Krieger. Morrison had his share of run-ins with law enforcement during several live performances and after a few arrests moved to Paris, France. On July 3, 1971, Morrison was found dead in his apartment’s bathtub by his love Pamela Courson at the age of 27. Speculations as to the cause of his death still exist.

Ray Manzarek

Photo Credit: home.att.net Born on Feb 12, 1939, Ray Manzarek was raised in Chicago and is regarded as one of the most influential keyboardists in rock and roll history. Manzarek attended U.C.L.A and during this time, he met Jim Morrison. Manzarek, the keyboardist, and Morrison, the lead vocalist, became the first members of The Doors and were soon joined by John Densmore and Robby Krieger. Since his time with The Doors, Manzarek has completed other projects but will always be most remembered as a member of the legendary band, The Doors.

John Densmore

Photo Credit: www.whosdatedwho.com On Dec 1, 1944, John Densmore was born in Maine. Densmore was a passionate musician and songwriter best remembered as the drummer of The Doors. He attended Santa Monica City College and Cal. State‐ Northridge around the time that the doors got together. After Morrison’s death, Densmore continued with his passion for music but also became a best selling author with his autobiography titled “Riders on the Storm: My Life With Jim Morrison and The Doors.” He is still living out his love of music with a band named Tribaljazz. Robby Krieger

Photo Credit: bestuff.com

Born Robert Allan Kreiger on January 8, 1946, Kreiger was most known as the guitarist for The Doors. It was when Krieger was a student at UCLA that he met John Densmore and played in a band with him called Psychedlic Rangers. Once with The Doors, Krieger became a successful songwriter with their first hit song, “Light My Fire.” Some other Doors’ hits that he wrote include: “Love Me Two Times,” “Touch me,” and “Love Her Madly.” After The Doors went their separate ways, Krieger continued with his music as The Roger Krieger Band and was successful in releasing several albums.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia.org About the Crew

Tom DiCillo Director/Screenwriter

Photo Credit: www.fest21.com Born Aug 14, 1953 in Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, Tom DiCillo is known as a director, screenwriter, and cinematographer. DiCillo studied filmmaking at New York Univerisity’s Film School and has earned a respected reputation through multiple film festival appearances. His first film, “Johnny Suede,” casted the then unknown Brad Pitt for the title role. “Johnny Suede” went on to earn a nomination for a Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. DiCillo has also published two of his original screenplays including “Living in Oblivion” and “Box of Moon Light.” For his most recent project, “When You’re Strange: A Film About The Doors,” DiCillo wrote and directed the movie expected to be released in theaters on April 9, 2010.

John Beug Producer

Photo Credit: artisthousemusic.org One of four producers of “When You’re Strange,” John Beug is an award‐ winning movie producer. Some of his work has included Cheech and Chong’s “Up In Smoke” in which Beug was the executive producer and “Eric Clapton Unplugged.” Beug currently works as the supervisor of the Home Video Department of Warner Music Group. Dick Wolf Producer

Photo Credit: static.tvguide.com Born December 20, 1946 in New York City and graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Dick Wolf didn’t start his professional life originally with television programs we relate to him today. Wolf actually started as an advertising copywriter. Wolf’s popularity came with the accomplishments of the successful creation of four different “Law & Order,” an Emmy nomination for an episode of “Hill Street Blues,” and the dedication of a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

Jeff Jampol Producer

Photo Credit: www.linked.com/in/jeffjampol Jeff Jampol has a unique relationship to The Doors that benefitted the film “When You’re Strange.” Jampol has been president of Doors Music Co. since 2005 and their manager since 2003. He also consults and represents others such as Janice Joplin and professor in UCLAs entertainment program.

Peter Jankowski Producer

Photo Credit: holycross.edu Graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, Peter Jankowski has served as President of Wolf Films since 1996. He is best noted for being the executive producer of multiple “Law & Order” television shows popular today. Production Notes

The film first came into works when Tom DiCillo helped direct an episode of Dick Wolfe’s “Law and Order: Criminal Intent” and was approached with the idea for the documentary. Wolfe had the rights to footage from The Doors unseen for over 40 years in which DiCillo used to create a concept for the film. It was not until Dicillo saw Jim Morrison’s student film “Highway” that the idea to make “When You’re Strange” as a dramatic narrative illustrating the true story of The Doors and the era in which they grew to fame in.

Photo Credit: www.lafilmfest.com

Morrison’s film “Highway,” intertwined within the documentary, appears in such great quality after so many years because the original 35 mm version was used for “When You’re Strange.” The unseen footage was originally shot by a film school friend of Morrison’s, Paul Ferrara, and includes footage of rehearsals, concerts, and appearances. DiCillo, with the help of producers Wolf, John Beug, Jeff Jampol, and Peter Jankowski succeeded in making the first of its kind documentary depicting the true world of The Doors.

Stills from the Film

Photo Credits: www.tomdicillo.com/blog Reviews and Endorsements

"In the final analysis, “When You’re Strange” is a rare tribute to music, individuality, and a generation and resonates with an authenticity that speaks to anyone who wants to understand that era and what it means today." (Read More) ‐Geoffry Gilmore Director, Sundance Film Festival

“Especially worthwhile was the film’s rare concert footage: from early recordings at the Whisky‐a‐Go‐Go up to scenes from the last Doors concerts. The Doors’ ever‐present music was also an important and welcome component of the film.” (Read More) ‐Gary Levinson IndieMusicReview.NET

“DiCillo’s “When You’re Strange” is a meticulously crafted, exhilarating ode to one of music’s greatest, most exciting ensembles; The Doors […] What an honor to have been involved. I am as proud of this as anything I have ever done.” (Read More) ‐Johnny Depp