Video: deadCenter Film Festival opens with “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon,” continues through Sunday
The 2011 deadCenter Film Festival opened Wednesday night with a free, open-air screening of the documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon.”
The documentary, directed by Stephen Mitchell and produced by Casey McGrath, chronicles the rise of Kings of Leon, the band’s beginnings in the Pentecostal church, and the members’ regular attendance at a family reunion in Talihina.
Mitchell talks to NewsOK host Angi Bruss in this NewsOK video. He says deadCenter will be the last U.S. festival the film will play before rolling out in the summer and fall. About 100 members of the band’s family were planning to attend the screening, which drew a huge crowd.
Mitchell told my excellent colleague George Lang that he met the band — brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill and their cousin, Matthew Followill — when he was working in the music industry and signed the brothers to a songwriting contract. This was more than 10 years ago, before the young men became Kings of Leon and rose to prominence on the international and national rock scene.
“I think that’s why they provided me with the opportunity to tell the story,” Mitchell told George. “A lot of their goal was to be accurate in telling their story. The band is huge overseas, obviously, so people around the world have tried to tell their story and have gotten close, but I think the boys wanted someone who they trusted would tell it accurately.”
To read more of George’s interesting interview with Mitchell, click here.
The festival continues through Sunday evening in seven locations around Oklahoma City, and organizers are promising a more diverse group of films and subjects on this year’s slate.
The 2011 event continues at 8 tonight with the critically acclaimed documentary “Page One: A Year Inside the New York Times” will lead deadCenter Opening Night film screenings beginning at 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 9 at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Dr.
Founded in 2001, the deadCenter Film Festival – named for its central geographic location – has grown to become a premiere international event, recognized by MovieMaker magazine as one of the world’s top 20 coolest festivals.
For more information and full schedules for the deadCenter Film Festival, go to www.deadcenterfilm.org.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on June 8, 2011: See “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” as the deadCenter Film Festival opens
Today’s featured event:
See the Oklahoma premiere of “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” as the 2011 deadCenter Film Festival launches.
The documentary about Oklahoma-rooted rockers Kings of Leon will be screened at a free, open-air block party to kick off the five-day event. The screening is set for 9:30 tonight in the 400 block of North Broadway in downtown Oklahoma City.
The format of the event will closely follow the 2010 premiere of “The Birth of Big Air,” which opened last year’s festival and featured a question-and-answer session with producer Spike Jonze and the film’s star, Edmond BMX legend Mat Hoffman. To read my excellent colleague George Lang’s feature on how deadCenter is building on last year’s success, click here.
“Talihina Sky,” which follows the band as it travels to a family reunion in Talihina, tells the story of the brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill, who spent their childhood traveling the Bible Belt between Oklahoma and Tennessee with their itinerant Pentecostal preacher father, Leon. Despite their strict upbringing, they formed the rock band Kings of Leon in 1999 with their cousin, Matthew Followill.
Caleb and Jared were both born in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., while Nathan and Matthew were born in Oklahoma City. The band is now based in Tennessee, but the group recently received the Rising Star Award from the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
The title of the film is drawn from a hidden track on the Grammy-winning family band’s 2003 debut album, “Youth and Young Manhood,” which in turn is taken from the Oklahoma town where the multiplatinum rockers attend an annual family reunion. The reunion serves as a catalyst to explore the band’s roots and the difficulties they faced growing up. Home movies, childhood photos and revealing interviews with family members — including a colorful group of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins — expose how the influence of their family has informed the creativity that drives Kings of Leon today.
The film made its world premiere as a work-in-progress at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. Due to scenes with graphic content and adult themes, this film is recommended for mature audiences only.
The deadCenter event is free and open to the public, and a question-and-answer session with director Stephen Mitchell will take place following the film.
The festival will officially celebrate its opening night Thursday and continue through Sunday at seven locations in downtown Oklahoma City. All-access passes are $100. For tickets and more information, go to www.deadcenterfilm.org.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Kings of Leon “Back Down South”
Rockers Kings of Leon, who have Oklahoma roots, have released the music video to “Back Down South,” the third single and my absolute favorite song from their 2010 album “Come Around Sundown.”
Fans who want to see more of the Kings of Leon have only one more week to wait until the Oklahoma premiere of “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” at the 2011 deadCenter Film Festival, which it will help launch.
The documentary will be screened at a free, open-air block party to kick off the five-day event. The screening is set for 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8 in the 400 block of North Broadway in downtown Oklahoma City. The format of the event will closely follow the 2010 premiere of “The Birth of Big Air,” which opened last year’s festival and featured a question-and-answer session with producer Spike Jonze and the film’s star, Edmond BMX legend Mat Hoffman.
“Talihina Sky” tells the story of the brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill, who spent their childhood traveling the Bible Belt between Oklahoma and Tennessee with their itinerant Pentecostal preacher father, Leon. Despite their strict upbringing, they formed the rock band Kings of Leon in 1999 with their cousin, Matthew Followill.
Caleb and Jared were both born in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., while Nathan and Matthew were born in Oklahoma City. The band is now based in Tennessee, but the group recently received the Rising Star Award from the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
The title of the film is drawn from a hidden track on the Grammy-winning family band’s 2003 debut album, “Youth and Young Manhood,” which in turn is taken from the Oklahoma town where the multiplatinum rockers attend an annual family reunion. The reunion serves as a catalyst to explore the band’s roots and the difficulties they faced growing up. Home movies, childhood photos and revealing interviews with family members — including a colorful group of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins — expose how the influence of their family has informed the creativity that drives Kings of Leon today.
The film made its world premiere as a work-in-progress last month at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. Due to scenes with graphic content and adult themes, this film is recommended for mature audiences only.
The deadCenter event is free and open to the public, and a question-and-answer session with director Stephen Mitchell will take place following the film. Special VIP seating for the event will be available for those attending the second annual redCenter Lounge fundraiser, starting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8 at Red Primesteak, 504 N Broadway. Call 246-9233 for more information.
The festival will officially celebrate its opening night Thursday, June 9 and continue through Sunday, June 12 at seven locations in downtown Oklahoma City. All-access passes are $100 and can be purchased online at www.deadcenterfilm.org.
-BAM
Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill marries model Lily Aldridge
Caleb Followill (AP file)
Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill, 29, married model Lily Aldridge, 25, on Thursday in California, reports People.com.
“It was a perfect day,” says Followill.
The couple exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony with just family in attendance at the San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, Calif., according to People.com.
The bride wore a custom made strapless Vera Wang gown with layers of chantilly and corded lace appliqué and raw edge swirling chiffon detail at the back. The groom wore a Gucci suit.
The couple, engaged since last fall, plan to have a larger party at a later date following their small, intimate ceremony, the groom’s bandmate and brother Jared recently told People.
Kings of Leon have Oklahoma ties: Caleb and Jared were both born in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., while their brother Nathan and cousin Matthew were born in Oklahoma City. The band is now based in Tennessee, but the group recently received the Rising Star Award from the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
In addition, the documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” will have its Oklahoma premiere and kick off the 2011 deadCenter Film Festival. The rock doc, which had its world premiere last month at the Tribeca Film Festival, will be screened at a free, open-air block party at 9:30 p.m. June 8 in the 400 block of North Broadway in downtown Oklahoma City.
For more information, click here.
-BAM
Video: Kings of Leon to appear on VH1′s “Storytellers” tonight
Rockers Kings of Leon, who have Oklahoma ties, will appear on an episode of VH1′s “Storytellers” series premiering at 10 tonight on the cable music channel.
It will air again at midnight and at 10 a.m. Sunday.
In addition, organizers of Oklahoma City’s deadCenter Film Festival announced today that the documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” will have its Oklahoma premiere and kick off the 2011 festival. The rock doc, which had its world premiere last month at the Tribeca Film Festival, will be screened at a free, open-air block party at 9:30 p.m. June 8 in the 400 block of North Broadway in downtown Oklahoma City.
For more information, click here.
-BAM
Video: Kings of Leon documentary “Talihina Sky” to open deadCenter Film Festival
“Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” will have its Oklahoma premiere at the 2011 deadCenter Film Festival, which it will help launch.
The documentary about Oklahoma-rooted rockers Kings of Leon, who will appear at 10 tonight on VH1′s “Storytellers,” will be screened at a free, open-air block party to kick off the five-day event. The screening is set for 9:30 p.m. June 8 in the 400 block of North Broadway in downtown Oklahoma City. The format of the event will closely follow the 2010 premiere of “The Birth of Big Air,” which opened last year’s festival and featured a question-and-answer session with producer Spike Jonze and the film’s star, Edmond BMX legend Mat Hoffman.
“Talihina Sky,” which follows the band as it travels to a family reunion in Talihina, tells the story of the brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill, who spent their childhood traveling the Bible Belt between Oklahoma and Tennessee with their itinerant Pentecostal preacher father, Leon. Despite their strict upbringing, they formed the rock band Kings of Leon in 1999 with their cousin, Matthew Followill.
Caleb and Jared were both born in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., while Nathan and Matthew were born in Oklahoma City. The band is now based in Tennessee, but the group recently received the Rising Star Award from the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
After achieving critical acclaim for the band’s first two albums, 2003′s “Youth and Young Manhood” and 2005′s “Aha Shake Heartbreak,” Kings of Leon rose to stadium status with the breakthrough albums “Because of the Times” and “Only By the Night.” The group’s latest album, “Come Around Sundown,” was released in 2010.
The title of the film is drawn from a hidden track on the Grammy-winning family band’s 2003 debut album, “Youth and Young Manhood,” which in turn is taken from the Oklahoma town where the multiplatinum rockers attend an annual family reunion. The reunion serves as a catalyst to explore the band’s roots and the difficulties they faced growing up. Home movies, childhood photos and revealing interviews with family members — including a colorful group of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins — expose how the influence of their family has informed the creativity that drives Kings of Leon today.
The film made its world premiere as a work-in-progress last month at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. Due to scenes with graphic content and adult themes, this film is recommended for mature audiences only.
The deadCenter event is free and open to the public, and a question-and-answer session with director Stephen Mitchell will take place following the film. Special VIP seating for the event will be available for those attending the second annual redCenter Lounge fundraiser, starting at 6:30 p.m. June 8 at Red Primesteak, 504 N Broadway. Call 246-9233 for more information.
The festival will officially celebrate its opening night June 9 and continue through June 12 at seven locations in downtown Oklahoma City. All-access passes are $100 and can be purchased online at www.deadcenterfilm.org.
-BAM
Video: Elton John-Leon Russell documentary opens Tribeca Film Festival; Kings of Leon doc “Talihina Sky” screens tonight
The 10th Annual Tribeca Film Festival launched Wednesday night with the world premiere of director Cameron Crowe’s Elton John and Leon Russell documentary “The Union.”
The documentary chronicles the British pop star’s efforts to reconnect with and revive the career of the Oklahoma music icon, who was John’s idol in the early days of his career. England’s “Rocket Man” and Oklahoma’s “Master of Space and Time” hadn’t spoken in 38 years when John reached out to the Tulsa Sound pioneer.
Following the free, outdoor screening of “The Union” set at the World Financial Plaza, not far from where the World Trade Center Towers once stood, John gave a live performance including his classic hits “Tiny Dancer,” Your Song” and, of course, “Rocket Man.”
Elton John at the screening of "The Union," which opened the Tribeca Film Festival Wednesday night. (AP photo)
Since John had never before been filmed in his composing process, “The Union” is billed as an unprecedentedly candid portrait of one of the world’s most popular and successful entertainers.
“I’ve never had a song filmed when I’m writing it, but Cameron’s such a friend, I trusted him,” John told MTV News in the video posted above. “New York City is my favorite place to play. I’ve played 62 shows at Madison Square Garden, I’ve played at Radio City, Central Park, Shea Stadium, Fillmore East. It’s been a very important city in my musical career and probably the most exciting city in the world.”
EW.com’s Joseph Brannigan Lynch reports that Crowe’s doc “turned out to be a pleasantly affecting surprise. What could have merely been a music doc about two aging rockers recording a late-career album was instead a heartfelt, decades-belated love letter from Elton John to his early career idol and one of his greatest influences, Leon Russell.”
“Ultimately, Cameron Crow’s The Union is a lovely and simple thing: it’s about one of rock’s most respected icons using his enormous celebrity to orchestrate a long-overdue reappraisal of his musical icon and one of the pivotal, under-appreciated voices in rock songwriting,” Lynch writes on EW.com.
He also notes that the film illustrates John’s impressive ability to pay a compliment: At one point, John says of Russell, “He never takes a bad picture. But when you look like God, I suppose you don’t.” Love it! And I can’t wait to see “The Union.”
Among the stars who joined John on the red carpet for “The Union” screening were Martin Scorsese, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Anna Kendrick, Rainn Wilson, Denis Leary, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Zoe Kravitz, ?uestlove and David O. Russell, according to MTV.com. Crowe reportedly couldn’t attend because he is working on his upcoming movie “We Bought a Zoo” and a Pearl Jam doc, according to The Hollywood Reporter, while Russell is currently on tour in Australia and New Zealand, according to his website.
“The Union” also screened this afternoon and was set to show tonight and Saturday.
Another rock doc with Oklahoma ties also is screening tonight at Tribeca: “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” is being shown as a work-in-progress tonight, Friday, April 28 and 30.
The title of the film is drawn from a hidden track on the Grammy-winning family band’s 2003 debut album, “Youth and Young Manhood,” which in turn is taken from the Oklahoma town where the multiplatinum rockers would attend the backwoods family reunions that are said to anchor the film.
The film centers on the Followill boys – brothers Nathan (drums), Caleb (vocals, guitar) and Jared (bass) and first cousin Matthew Followill (lead guitar) – and their struggles to reconcile their strict religious upbringing with their rock ‘n’ roll career and lifestyles.
Check out the trailer below, and to read my full column about the musical films showing at Tribeca, click here.
-BAM
Video: Elton John/Leon Russell, Kings of Leon documentaries playing at Tribeca Film Festival
A pair of influential musical acts with Oklahoma ties will grab the cinematic spotlight as the 10th Annual Tribeca Film Festival opens tonight in New York City.
The festival begins tonight with the world premiere of director Cameron Crowe’s Elton John and Leon Russell documentary “The Union.”
The documentary chronicles the British pop star’s efforts to reconnect with and revive the career of the Oklahoma music icon, who was John’s idol in the early days of his career. England’s “Rocket Man” and Oklahoma’s “Master of Space and Time” hadn’t spoken in 38 years when John reached out to the Tulsa Sound pioneer.
Beginning in November 2009, Crowe (“Almost Famous,” “Jerry Maguire”) documented the entire writing and recording process behind John and Russell’s 2010 collaborative album “The Union,” which was produced by T Bone Burnett. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, earned a Grammy nomination and sparked the intended resurgence of Russell’s career, including a long overdue induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the Lawton native.
“The Union” also will screen Thursday and Saturday during the festival, which runs through May 1.
The new rock documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” also has been selected for this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. Stephen C. Mitchell’s rock doc will be shown as a work-in-progress Thursday, Friday, April 28 and 30.
The title of the film is drawn from a hidden track on the Grammy-winning family band’s 2003 debut album, “Youth and Young Manhood,” which in turn is taken from the Oklahoma town where the multiplatinum rockers would attend the backwoods family reunions that are said to anchor the film.
In this NewsOK video, Angi Bruss looks into the Oklahoma-connected rockumentaries, which are among the many musical docs screening at Tribeca this year. To read my full column on “The Union” and “Talihina Sky,” click here.
-BAM
Elton John/Leon Russell, Kings of Leon documentaries playing at Tribeca Film Festival, opening tonight
The 10th Annual Tribeca Film Festival opens tonight with the world premiere of director Cameron Crowe's "The Union." The documentary chronicles the efforts of British pop star Elton John, left, to reconnect with and revive the career of Oklahoma music icon Leon Russell, right, John's idol in the early days of his career.
From Wednesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
BAM Column: Oklahoma music stars step into cinematic spotlight at Tribeca Film Festival
The 10th annual festival opens tonight with the premiere of the Elton John and Leon Russell documentary “The Union,” and “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” is showing as a work-in-progress during the event.
A pair of influential musical acts with Oklahoma ties will grab the cinematic spotlight as the 10th Annual Tribeca Film Festival opens tonight in New York City.
The festival begins tonight with the world premiere of director Cameron Crowe’s Elton John and Leon Russell documentary “The Union.”
The documentary chronicles the British pop star’s efforts to reconnect with and revive the career of the Oklahoma music icon, who was John’s idol in the early days of his career. England’s “Rocket Man” and Oklahoma’s “Master of Space and Time” hadn’t spoken in 38 years when John reached out to the Tulsa Sound pioneer.
Beginning in November 2009, Crowe (“Almost Famous,” “Jerry Maguire”) documented the entire writing and recording process behind John and Russell’s 2010 collaborative album “The Union,” which was produced by T Bone Burnett. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, earned a Grammy nomination and sparked the intended resurgence of Russell’s career, including a long overdue induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the Lawton native.
Since John had never before been filmed in his composing process, “The Union” is billed as an unprecedentedly candid portrait of one of the world’s most popular and successful entertainers.
A live performance by John will follow the free, outdoor screening, which is a way of thanking the New York City community for its ongoing support of the festival. “The Union” will premiere tonight at the North Cove at the World Financial Plaza, not far from where the World Trade Center Towers once stood. Actor Robert De Niro, producer Jane Rosenthal and her entrepreneur husband Craig Hatkoff founded the Tribeca Film Festival in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to help revitalize downtown Manhattan.
“The Union” also will screen Thursday and Saturday during the festival, which runs through May 1.
Members of the band Kings of Leon, from left, Jared Followill, Nathan Followill, Matthew Followill and Caleb Followill, pose for a portrait last October in New York. "Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon," about the band, will screen as a work-in-progress at this year's Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. (AP file)
The new rock documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” also has been selected for this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. Stephen C. Mitchell’s rock doc will be shown as a work-in-progress Thursday, Friday, April 28 and 30.
The title of the film is drawn from a hidden track on the Grammy-winning family band’s 2003 debut album, “Youth and Young Manhood,” which in turn is taken from the Oklahoma town where the multiplatinum rockers would attend the backwoods family reunions that are said to anchor the film.
The film centers on the Followill boys – brothers Nathan (drums), Caleb (vocals, guitar) and Jared (bass) and first cousin Matthew Followill (lead guitar) – and their struggles to reconcile their strict religious upbringing with their rock ‘n’ roll career and lifestyles.
The brothers spent most of their childhood in the 1980s and ’90s roaming the Bible Belt between Memphis and Oklahoma City, riding in a purple ’88 Olds with their itinerant Pentecostal minister dad, Leon, and their mother, Betty Ann. Caleb and Jared were both born in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., while Nathan and Matthew were born in Oklahoma City. The band, which recently received the Rising Star Award from the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, is now based in Tennessee.
Once the brothers and Matthew started the band, they dubbed themselves Kings of Leon in honor of Nathan, Caleb, and Jared’s father (Matthew’s uncle) and their grandfather, who were both named Leon. Since their colorful childhood was used to hype the band in the press, first in Great Britain and then Stateside, it’s no surprise that the documentary is in the works.
“The Union” and “Talihina Sky” won’t be the only rockumentaries showing this year at Tribeca. This year’s lineup looks particularly musical, with selected documentaries including “Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest,” about the trailblazing hip-hop act; “God Bless Ozzy Osbourne,” about the heavy metal icon; “The Swell Season,” about the Oscar-winning duo from the movie “Once”; “Carol Channing: Larger Than Life,” about the Broadway star; “When the Drum Is Beating,” about Haiti’s celebrated big band Septentrional; and “Limelight,” about the rise and fall of Peter Gatien, once the king of the New York club scene and owner of legendary venues like The Limelight, Tunnel and Palladium.
Contributing: The Associated Press.
-BAM
Kings of Leon receive Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame’s Rising Star Award before Tulsa show
The Kings of Leon accept the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame's Rising Star award during a press conference Friday at the BOK Center in Tulsa. The family band is, from left, Nathan, Jared, Matthew and Caleb Followill. (Photo by Adam Wisneski/Tulsa World)
Rockers Kings of Leon received the Rising Star Award from the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in a special ceremony at Tulsa’s BOK Center Friday night before playing a concert at the arena.
The awards ceremony was followed by a near-sellout crowd of fans that filled the BOK Center later Friday night, reports Tulsa World music writer Jennifer Chancellor. The Grammy-winning band has sold more than 6.5 million albums in the U.S. and won four Grammy Awards since its debut in 2003.
The band includes the three Followill brothers – Caleb (vocals and rhythm guitar), Nathan (percussion) and Jared (bass) – and their cousin Matthew Followill (lead guitar).
The family spent most of their childhood in the ’80s and ’90s crisscrossing the Bible Belt between Memphis and Oklahoma City, riding in a purple ’88 Olds with the brothers’ traveling Pentecostal minister dad, Leon, and their mother, Betty-Ann, in the ’80s and ’90s. Caleb and Jared were both born in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., while Nathan and Matthew were born in Oklahoma City. The band is now based in Tennessee.
“Me and Matt were born here. We’re all Sooners at heart,” Nathan Followill said as the bandmates hoisted their Rising Star trophies and smiled.
The band often mentions its Oklahoma ties. For instance, the title of their new rock documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of the Kings of Leon,” which will be shown as a special work-in-progress screening during the 10th Annual Tribeca Film Festival in New York City, is taken from a hidden track on the family band’s 2003 debut album, “Youth and Young Manhood,” which in turn is taken from an Oklahoma town whose welcome sign is glimpsed in the trailer.
“Wow, this is crazy,” said Caleb Followill after receiving his Rising Star Award statuette. “I mean, we had heard something was happening, but we didn’t know it would be this.
“It’s great. Oklahoma is always in our heart,” Caleb added. “We love it more all the time. … We’d love to buy homes here.”
To read more of Jennifer’s great story about Kings of Leon’s Rising Star honors and how Oklahomans feel about the band and its Sooner State ties, click here.
And congratulations to the Kings!
-BAM
