Try thinking about the movie “Jaws” without the soundtrack. It’s impossible. John William’s impending theme of doom became it’s own character and without it, memorable lines about needing a bigger boat would have merely floated away and the term “Blockbuster” would have been saved for something later.
The intrinsic role music plays throughout our favorite films cannot be overstated, and this fact is the heart and soul of Knoxville’s own FILM SCORE and the 2016 SCRUFFY CITY FILM & MUSIC FESTIVAL, taking place between April 26th and May 1st.
This year, the festival’s organizers sorted through nearly 350 submissions from 40 countries and invited great music films from SXSW, Sundance, and the Toronto International Film Festival.
In its 2016 season, the festival will expand beyond its downtown base of operations to include two nights of films at Regal Cinemas Downtown West. The festival will screen seven feature films and more than 35 short films and music videos.
Highlights:
- Ethan Hawke lights up the screen as jazz legend Chet Baker in Born to Be Blue. This innovative biopic reimagines the trumpeter’s tumultuous life with wit, verve, and style.
- Live music will play throughout the festival with Ben Sollee headlining an evening of cello music that blends Appalachian, R&B and classical stylings.
- Come see the World Premiere of “West of Her,” directed by Ethan Warren. This scrappy indie feature captivates audiences with its sweeping Americana backdrop for an epic story of two strangers bound by a mysterious mission and forced to choose between duty and their mutual attraction.
- Opening Night Film – “The Smart Studios Story.” In the 1990s, producer Butch Vig was in high demand. He’d just produced a record from an obscure band from Seattle. The band? Nirvana. The record? Nevermind, which would go on to sell more than 30 million copies worldwide and change the history of rock music. This behind-the-scene documentary on the studio where not only Nevermind, but also dozens of iconic records were made, features interviews with Butch Vig, Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Shirley Manson (Garbage), and many more.
- Closing Night Film – “A Song for You: The Story of Austin City Limits.” For more than 40 years now, Austin City Limits has been the essential live performance show on television. Take a look at how this iconic program began and thrived along with Austin’s music scene from the 1970s through today. Featuring interviews and performances by Willie Nelson, Wilco, Ray Charles, Radiohead, Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Alabama Shakes, Bonnie Raitt, Jenny Lewis, Lyle Lovett, Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, and many, many more.
- Our short film program features a number of Sundance and SXSW award-winners, an Oscar Nominated Short Animated Film, and performances from well-known actors like James Franco, as well as music videos from Nothing, Zoë Nutt, Elliot Moss, Sizarr, Torres, and Julien Baker.
- The festival also features panel discussions and workshops, nightly mixers, live music, comedy performances, filmmaker and composer Q&As, and the festival concludes with a Rooftop Awards Ceremony.
FILM SCORE and the 2016 Scruffy City Film & Music Festival will take place April 26 – May 1 at Scruffy City Hall on historic Market Square in downtown Knoxville with additional screenings at Regal Cinemas Downtown West on April 28-29. Tickets for screenings start at $10 with Full Festival Passes available from $40. For the full schedule or to purchase passes, visit www.scruffycityfilmfest.com.
