Stockholm Film Festival

In this homage to folk music, Rani Singhtells the story of eccentric record collector andethnomusicologist Harry Smith, whose workhas influenced scores of artists, Bob Dylanamong them. By assembling the Anthology ofAmerican Folk Music in 1952, Smith managedto make music from different social groupsacross the nation accessible to all, therebybringing American folk music to the massesand inspiring the revival of the genre in the 50’sand 60’s. Smith not only prevented the genrefrom being forgotten, he also lived to see oldfolk songs and banjos inspire rock bands. Thiscollage of a fascinating man – who was also anexperimental filmmaker, painter and mystic –and his impact on music is told using archivematerial, interviews and recent live footage ofartists like Beck, Elvis Costello and Lou Reed performing songs from the anthology. The musicmight be 70-years-old, but it still has a story totell, only this time it’s being told by Sonic Youthinstead of Roscoe Holbcom.

Premiere Status

Swedish Premiere

Cast

Harry Smith, Elvis Costello, Beck, Sonic Youth, Lou Reed

Producer

Adam Hyman, Nick Amster, Rani Singh

Script

Rani Singh

Music

Hal Willner, Anthony Marinelli

Spoken language

English

 

Other films from the Collage section

See all the festival films from 2007