Music documentary film festival Doc’n Roll is back this month for its fifth instalment in Brighton. The four-day event running from 25th until 29th March will project some of the wackiest stories from music culture onto the big screen at Duke of York’s Picturehouse and Duke’s at Komedia.
From Zambia’s biggest rock band to counterculture rebels in the California desert, Brighton’s edition of Doc’n Roll 2020 will screen six acclaimed full-length features to spotlight unique musical histories from around the world. Watch the birth of genres such as Drum & Bass and Synthwave inspire a nation and how music becomes political with an exploration of Rock Against Racism. Other features of this year’s selection explore the punk rock roots of today’s desert-based festivals and research into the life of folk-rock legend David Crosby.
Founded in 2014 by Colm Forde, the festival’s mission is to provide a platform for independent filmmakers and show appreciation for underground music documentaries often ignored by film programmers. “Focusing on musical outliers, this year’s selection of films, including works by first-time directors, is a testament to the power of music as a universal language of hope and inclusion,” says Colm.
Doc’n Roll hopes to dazzle Brighton’s music lovers and dismantle barriers to the film industry by exhibiting experimental voices in cinema. These documentary feature films celebrate idiosyncratic genres, eras and talents in music.
Two of the films in this year’s Doc’n Roll Brighton programme – David Crosby: Remember My Name and The Rise of the Synths – were shortlisted for the Best Music Documentary 2019 prize at Doc’n Roll London in November 2019. The films were judged by a panel featuring Paul Rodgers (Head of BBC 6 Music), Sophie K (journalist, Kerrang!), Jen Long (Take Care Management), Julia Nottingham (Head of Dorothy St Pictures) and author and broadcaster Emma Dabiri.
Doc’n Roll is supported by the BFI using funds from the National Lottery to encourage audience appetite and enjoyment for a wide range of independent British and international films.
Head to their website for full listings and tickets.
Doc’n Roll Brighton 2020 will take place on Wednesday 25th until Sunday 29th March 2020 at Duke of York’s Picturehouse and Duke’s at Komedia.
Featured image WHITE RIOT by Sid Shelton.
