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Home , Florence Foster Jenkins, Henry Rollins, Indian Idol, Paolo Nutini, Ralph McTell, This Is Pop

• HD • 2K • 4K • MUSIC • DOCS • PERFORMANCE • SERIES •

www.espressomedia.co.uk | [email protected] +44 (0) 1273 730929 PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT

DOCS & SERIES N E W

SHUT UP SONA - NEW 1 x 85’ 4K UHD - Winner: Award of Excellence at Impact Docs Awards Shut Up Sona is a film about today’s India at odds with the modern Indian woman. It is an intimate journey with Sona Mohapatra – famous singer, performer, and troublemaker! Being on the receiving end of lawsuits, internet trolls, and death threats are all in a day’s work for Indian singer and #MeToo activist Sona. Follow her battles with music execs and India’s patriarchal traditions in her fight for equality in the music industry and beyond.

The film covers her life as a performer and as a woman, exposing the controversy around her that turns into a circus, when a legal notice arrives, accusing her of blasphemy. Her crime was singing an 800-year-old with devotional lyrics while being dressed “obscenely”. But, despite the police intervention and the wrath of the internet, nothing stops her from doing what she loves – singing and speaking her mind, while managing her public and high-pressure critics.

Sona’s voice in the #MeToo movement called for leading Indian judge to be removed, prompting other singers to come forward. Plus, she publicly calls out India’s leading University for not having a female headliner on their stage for 30 years, and is shunned from festivals for a whole year - all captured on film. Laced with sarcasm, wit and craziness, this is a film about art, gender, and our right to exist with a voice.

Official Selection:HotDocs 2020 Official Selection: Rotterdam International Film Festival 2020 Official Selection:Sheffield Doc Fest 2020 Official Selection: Goteborg Film Festival 2020 Official Selection:Doc NYC 2020

ALMOST, ALMOST FAMOUS

1 x 60’ / 1 x 84’ HD

Take a road trip through an alternate universe, where Elvis Presley and Jackie Wilson never die. Following the “Class of ‘59” performers on their tour across Canada, Almost Almost Famous explores the lives of some of the world’s top tribute artists and the risk of getting ‘lost in the act’. With a shocking twist about one performer’s real identity, this is a beautifully shot, entertaining look at the cost of ‘borrowed fame.’

Fifty years after our original trailblazers defined music as we know it today, three world-class tribute artists carry on the legacy of the same three icons - but what happens when borrowed fame begins to lose its charm? Can they find stardom on their own terms? This musical journey follows the stories of Texas Lance as , Vegas singer Bobby as Jackie Wilson - and Ted, the ‘Elvis from Orlando’. Airing on: CBC - 1 - DOCS & SERIES N E W

JAZZ@ - NEW 6 x 30’ 4K A snapshot of music from many nations and cultures - all coming together in one stunning 4K series.

Jazz@ is an occasional Music Performance series focusing on the world of Jazz from a wide spectrum. The series highlights New Artists like Kizzy Crawford performing in her native Welsh Language, to multi-nominated Composer Kris Bowers. Throughout the series we’ll see and hear some unique Music from Arun Ghosh’s Indian Cultural influences, Zoe Rahman’s wonderful pianist skills, Grammy- nominee Kurt Elling, French singer Cyrille Aimee, Get The Blessing’s fusion, the performance by Mobo & Ivor Novello Winner (and multiple Brit Award Nominee) Laura Mvula will melt your heart!

The concept behind the show is to present the artists in a simple and straight forward light, letting the performance speak for itself, no overdubs and only the mix from the day. The Production Team made the hugely successful ‘Live From Abbey Road’ and they transferred their production skills to Jazz@.

We have a small audience who really are in the best seats in the house - they’re in the room with the artist and really hear and see how the artists make their music. If your audiences enjoy music as an intimate experience - this is the show for you. Airing on: Globosat

CLEM BURKE: MY VIEW 1 x 48’ HD My View takes you on the road with the world’s hardest working drummer, The Doctor of Rock. Clem is the beat that drove both Blondie & The Eurythmics, and we follow him on an access-all-areas look back at his 40 years on the road, performing with some of the worlds most iconic bands and artists including , Pete Townsend, and The Ramones. From his first ever drum lesson through to touring the world in one of the most successful groups of the punk era, this is a close up portrait and intimate discussion with a music icon. WINNER: Jury Prize - Film Awards OFFICIAL SELECTION: NYC Independent Film Festival (USA) OFFICIAL SELECTION: Annual CPH Film Festival (Denmark) OFFICIAL SELECTION: Doc ‘n’ Roll Film Festival (UK) Airing on Sky Arts UK and YLE MUSIC

I’M NOT IN LOVE: THE STORY OF 10CC 1 x 52’ HD - Funded by the BBC Profiles the band from Manchester who created some of the most innovative pop music of the 70s. Featuring all four original members, plus contributions from Sir Tim Rice, Stewart Copeland, Trevor Horn and Graham Nash, the film reveals the unique working methods that created so many classics, while also looking at how Eric Stewart and Gra- ham Gouldman helped spearhead the British invasion in the 60s and how Kevin Godley and Lol Creme pioneered the video in the 80s.

‘A superb film’ – Observer.

‘Absolutely riveting’ – Mail on Sunday.

‘Excellent’ – Guardian.

Aired on BBC4, SVT, NTR, YLE, VRT, Sky NZ, Sundance and Foxtel

PROMISES & LIES: THE STORY OF UB40 1 x 52’ HD - Funded by the BBC This is the award-winning tale of the rise and shocking break-up of one of the UK’s most successful bands. After more than 30 years together, the artists from Birmingham suddenly split apart, fracturing not only the band but a family. Since then lead singer Ali Campbell has fronted one version of UB40 while his brother Robin continues to tour as another. Featuring frank interviews with both camps, ‘Promises and Lies’ lays bare their feud.

‘Gripping’ – ‘Sad but fascinating’ – The Observer. Aired on BBC4, VRT, NTR, YLE, Prime NZ,

XTC: THIS IS POP 1 x 52’ HD - Funded by Sky Arts UK This film won two awards in the USA for its blend of inventive visuals and insight into the creativity of XTC’s mercurial but brilliant leader . The film explores a 30 year career of one of Britain’s most influential, who developed their punk roots to become highly literate purveyors of English pastoral pop music, establishing a cult following on both sides of the Atlantic.

‘Much like the band itself, this documentary defies convention’ - The Mail on Sunday. ‘Eye-opening’ – The Sun. ‘A wonderful piece of work’ – Harry Shearer. ‘Great documentary’ – Ed O’Brien, . Aired on Sky Arts UK, VRT, Sky NZ, Showtime USA, and Sundance - 3 - AIRING ON FRANCE TV MUSIC

COME TOGETHER: THE RISE OF THE FESTIVAL

1 x 52’ HD - Funded by Sky Arts UK

We examine the evolution of the music festival phenomenon, from its earliest jazz and incarnations in the 50s through the massive counter-cultural events like Woodstock and the Isle of Wight in the 60s, to contemporary incarnations like Coachella, Latitude and the daddy of them all, Glastonbury.

The story is told by the men who were there, from organisers such as Michael Eavis and Michael Lang, to musicians Pete Townshend, Ian Anderson, Bob Geldof, Steve Winwood, Nick Mason and Noel Gallagher.

‘A line-up that would grace any festival’ – . ‘Fascinating’ – RTE. ‘Highly enjoyable’ – The Times. Aired on Sky Arts UK, TVP, Globosat, DirectTV (LATAM), Channel One Russia, and Sky Italia

FAIRPORT CONVENTION: FOLK HEROES 1 x 52’ HD - Funded by Sky Arts UK This celebrates the remarkable career of the pioneers. Featuring interviews with present and past members of the group, the film examines how Fairport devel- oped a new genre of music by combining traditional English folk with electric rock. Friends such as Ralph McTell, Steve Winwood and Rick Wakeman explain why they remain so influential to this day.

Pick of the Week – Sunday Times.

‘Very enjoyable’ – Joe Boyd. Aired on Sky Arts UK, Sky NZ, and Sundance

- 4 - DOCUMENTARIES MUSIC

CROSSING RACHMANINOFF 1 x 52’ / 1 x 79’ HD The story of pianist Flavio Villani and his preparation of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 for his first performance with an orchestra. Filmed in New Zealand and Southern Italy, follow Flavio’s journey as he grapples with the challenge and returns to Italy to meet the family who discouraged him from following a career in music. He performs with the Orchestra Filarmonica della Calabria for his big night.

PROMISED LAND OF HEAVY METAL 1 x 52’ / 1 x 90’ HD The story of metal music! Explore the early underground roots via interviews with famous musicians, experts, events organizers and even a psychiatrist, to explore questions like ‘why is metal a religion for so many?’ and ‘what are the links to Satanism and ritualistic murders? The film follows one of the forefathers of Finnish metal; filmmaker and Sarcofagus guitarist Kimmo Kuusniemi.

PUNK: ATTITUDE 1 x 90’ Controversial and chaotic, was a slap in the face of the establishment and a cultural movement. This show identifies of this tradition from the US to the UK, beyond showing that Punk was not just a musical movement but an attitude of mind. Featuring interviews with Henry Rollins (Black Flag), Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders), and footage from the New York Dolls and MC5.

THE FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS STORY 1 x 52’ / 1 x 90’ HD She’s known as “the worst singer of all time” yet her recordings still outsell contemporary singers. From the 1920’s her performances drew huge crowds with singing so awful, it became compelling! Explore the enigma, and experience the voice of opera Joyce DiDonato, to show the sounds Florence thought she made!

This stunning film explores her incredibly unique life, presenting spectacular archive & unpublished photos as well as original audio recordings. Uncover the scandal and mystery that dogged her fascinating and unique life, combined with stunning recreations of her luxurious set designs. Opera legend Joyce DiDonato demonstrates Florence on-stage - as well as the dream of her singing ability... Co-produced with: ZDF / SRF In association with: ARTE, NRK, ORF, SVT

- 5 - DOCUMENTARIES MUSIC

RAGA REVELRY 1 x 52’ / 1 x 90’ / 1 x 160’ HD Raga Revelry is a fun, accessible introduction to the centuries-old tradition of North Indian classical music, colloquially referred to as Raga Music. The film explores the origins and ancient techniques of the use of sound and as a connection to our spiritual selves.

REGGAE GOT SOUL 1 x 58’ HD This is the never-before-told story of one of the most influential artists to come out of , Grammy award-winner . This film tells the story of one of the true greats in music, with intimate new performances, rare archive from his career, and interviews with Toots and his admirers including , , and .

SAXON: HEAVY METAL THUNDER 1 x 60’ / 1 x 90’ / 1 x 122’ This film is packed with plenty of rare archive material and unseen concert footage, from the 1979 Bomber Tour with Motorhead, to a devastating performance in Germany in 1981, to brilliant shows in 2008 and 2009 - plus there’s also behind-the-scenes footage of the making of three classic !

WELCOME TO THE MACHINE 1 x 52’ / 1 x 90’ HD The 12 Commandments of the music business together in one film, featuring the secret of success, the purpose of music awards, the truth about recording contracts and other monstrosities, this is not just a rockumentary! Not always deadly serious, the one big question is: is there one right way to fame?

YOU´LL NEVER WALK ALONE 1 x 52’ / 1 x 90’ HD (funded by WDR / ARTE) This is the story of the epitome of a global folk song. Each weekend, hundreds of thousands of football fans sing it in stadiums worldwide. It has been interpreted by Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong, Doris Day, – and many more. But the roots go back to Budapest in 1909 - and this film re-experiences the journey.

We enter a number of different worlds: the sophisticated and artistic social circles, Berlin in the 1920s, glossy 50’s Hollywood, working-class Liverpool in the 60s – and global football fan culture. This is a collaboration – an Austro-Hungarian-German- US-American-British co-production, that reflects over a century of cultural history in one timeless tune. DOCS & SERIES PERFORMANCE

ELLA FITZGERALD 1 x 120’ / 1 x 150’ A treasure trove of of previously unreleased Ella Fitzgerald concerts recorded by the BBC. Featuring two shows from 1965, Live at Ronnie Scott’s (1974) and Jazz From Montreux (1977 - 1 x 150’ only); including the classics “Take The ‘A’ Train”, “The Lady Is A Tramp”, “Mack The Knife”, and “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)”.

SOUL II SOUL 1 x 50’ 4K / HD Soul II Soul are known for their 1989 UK chart-topper and US Top 5 hit “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me).” More are featured in this live performance, beautifully shot with incredible sound, direct from the prestigious Metropolis Studios. Winner of two Grammy awards, they have also been nominated for five .

TOOTS & THE MAYTALS 1 x 37’ HD Regarded as one of the top vocalists in music this “Strawberry Hills” session is a must have for lovers of music worldwide. With a backdrop of the Blue Mountains behind them and a view of Kingston, Toots stepped up for his first recorded acoustic set. Featuring hits “Pressure Drop”, “True Love”, “Bam Bam”, and “Monkey Man”.

LEGENDS 5 x 100’ HD Legends shows a series of live concerts with a VIP audience at West London’s famous Metropolis Studios. Concerts portray the bands in an unseen way. Featuring Caravan, John Lees, Barclay James Harvest, The Zombies, Van Der Graaf Generator and Roy Harper, these bands all have a committed worldwide following.

LIVE FROM METROPOLIS STUDIOS 4 x 52’ + 1 x 100’ HD Comprises interviews and an autobiographical narrative, as well as a live concert at West London’s Metropolis Studios. With Level 42, Heaven 17, Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet) and Belinda Carlisle, go behind the scenes for insights with the stars, plus enjoy a raw and honest performance from the renowned studios.

www.espressomedia.co.uk | [email protected] +44 (0) 1273 730929