Writer Matt Forrest
The Bank holiday weekend is upon us once more: with the inevitable heavy bank holiday traffic threatening to spoil our precious long weekend, it may be worth avoiding the jams and going for a different sort of ‘jam’ by taking in some great films packed with killer tunes!
From the 23rd May through to the 28th May, the great city of Manchester will host the Doc’n Roll film festival for the first time ever. This is a film festival like no other as it highlights some tremendous music documentaries from across the globe, regardless of your taste in music, the festival promises something for everyone.
Boasting 11 premiers at three venues across the city, this festival will provide music lovers not only with a chance to see some insightful and groundbreaking films, but also offer opportunities to quiz the musicians and directors behind the projects with several post screening Q & A sessions.
Unlike most music festivals, there are no headliners here, just an eclectic mix of films and artists spanning various musical genres: from Ella Fitzgerald to Badly Drawn Boy, Iranian Techno to Heavy Metal, the festival promises to leave you informed and entertained. There are also films taking a look at the vibrant 1960’s Liverpool music scene which gave birth to The Beatles, as well as a look at the infamous Ealing Club in London, a venue nicknamed “The Cradle of British Rock”.
Opening night will be attending several screenings throughout the weekend, one that we are certainly looking forward to is Play Your Gender, an insightful look at the lack of female representation in music production.
So this bank holiday why not get yourself down to HOME, Gulliver’s, and Plant Noma and catch some amazing films featuring some interesting stories, talented musicians, and some great music! Here is a full list of the all the events and where they are happening:
19:00 WEDNESDAY 23RD MAY – 3MT – 39 Oldham St, M1 1JG
** Manchester Premiere **
Walking In The Opposite Direction: Adrian Borland & The Sound
Director Marc Waltman, Netherlands, 2016, 96 mins
18:30 THURSDAY 24TH MAY – HOME
** Manchester Premiere **
L7: Pretend We’re Dead
Dir. Sarah Price US, 2016, 82 mins
18:30 FRIDAY 25TH MAY – PLANT NOMA – Dantzic St, M60 0AB
** Manchester Premiere **
Raving Iran
Dir. Susanne Regina Meures, 2016, Switzerland, 84mins
18:15 FRIDAY 25TH MAY – HOME
** Manchester Premiere **
Play Your Gender + Q&A Your
Dir. Stephanie Clattenburg, Canada, 2017, 80mins
Q&A (music industry panelists TBA)
15:30 SATURDAY 26TH MAY – HOME
*** World Premiere ***
About A Badly Drawn Boy + Q&A
Dir. THE MITCHAM SUBMARINE, 2018, UK, 72mins
Q&A with the director
18:00 SATURDAY 26TH MAY – HOME
** Manchester Premiere **
Manchester Keeps On Dancing + Q&A, plus After-Party
Dir. Javi Senz, 2017, UK, 90mins
14:30 SUNDAY 27TH MAY – GULLIVERS
** Manchester Premiere **
Suburban Steps to Rockland: The Story of The Ealing Club
Dir. Giorgio Guernier, 2017, UK, 89mins
17:00 SUNDAY 27TH MAY – GULLIVERS
**Manchester Premiere**
The Doom Doc
Dir. Connor Matheson, UK, 2017, 90mins
19:30 SUNDAY 27TH MAY – GULLIVERS
** Manchester Premiere **
DEATH by Metal
Dir. Felipe Belalcazar, 2016, Canada, 109mins
16:00 MONDAY 28 MAY – HOME
** Manchester Premiere **
Pure Love: The Voice of Ella Fitzgerald
Dir. Katja Duregger, 2017, Germany, 52mins
Tickets for all shows available at: http://www.docnrollfestival.com/films/
Opening Night 