The 55th annual Nashville Film Festival will showcase an array of vital films when it gets underway Thursday. The event continues through Sept. 25 at the Belcourt, Regal Green Hills, Franklin Theatre, and elsewhere.
The impressive list includes 44 feature-length films and more than 150 overall productions. While, as would be expected, there are numerous great music-oriented films, there’s also a variety of titles in other areas.
These include Titus Kaphar’s “Exhibiting Forgiveness,” a work that spotlights familial conflict and issues as a Black artist headed for success suddenly finds things unraveling due to an unexpected visit from his father, a recovering addict. Their joint battles to overcome years of separation and anger make for a powerful story.
Andrew Baxt’s “Session, If A House Be Divided” is an intense cinematic overview of the 2024 Tennessee House of Representatives. It offers viewers the inside story on the conflicts and agendas of those in that legislative chamber, which put the state in the national spotlight due to the bitter divisions and personality conflicts that were revealed.
Baxt went into the hallways and hearing rooms, as well as on the floor and in the galley, to pull back the curtain on an often-ugly set of events. Rod Blackhurt’s “The Tennessee 11” focuses on a group of 11 state citizens who discuss legislative solutions to address gun rights and safety.
However, there are clearly several outstanding films with music as their foundation. The legendary R&B, soul, blues, and country vocalist and songwriter Swamp Dogg was just in town recently for a command performance at Grimey’s and also has a new LP.
Isaac Gale and Ryan Olson’s “Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted” offers an in-depth look at not only the main star but his housemates Moogstar and Guitar Shorty. Their Los Angeles home has been turned into a musical sanctuary, the place where they bond to make it through the rough and tumble music world.
Matthew Henderson’s “King Like Me” tracks members of the Zulu Club, in the process also documenting their attempt to get them back in the streets after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Michael Mabbott and Lucah Rosenberg-Lee’s “Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story” spotlights the underreported story of Nashville vocal great Jackie Shane, who was also one of popular music’s pioneering Black trans performers. Unfortunately, Shane disappeared before becoming the great star many anticipated.
Alex Oliver and Jamison Stalsworth profile the life and times of a Delta blues legend in “A Man Called Hurt: The Life and Music of Mississippi John Hurt,” while Oliver Murray’s “They All Came Out To Montreux” details the history of the amazing Claude Nobs and the Montreux Jazz Festival, with archival performances from a host of music giants.
A complete list of all performances, as well as times, ticket information and other details, is available online via multiple sites.
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