Big Star film debuts this week

BIG STAR: NOTHING CAN HURT ME is a feature-length documentary from Magnolia Pictures about Memphis band Big Star. The film opens in New York at the IFC Center on July 3 and will also be available that same day on iTunes and via most on demand video services.

A special Los Angeles opening is also set for July 5-6 at the Nuart. Big Star tribute concerts in Chicago and New York are taking place, featuring Jody Stephens, the band's sole surviving original member/drummer, in anticipation of the film's release). The film's soundtrack was just released via Omnivore Recordings.

While mainstream success eluded them, Big Star's three albums have become critically lauded touchstones of the rock music canon. A seminal band in the history of alternative music, Big Star has been cited as an influence by artists including REM, The Replacements, Belle & Sebastian, and Flaming Lips and others.

With never-before-seen footage and photos of the band, in-depth interviews and a rousing musical tribute by the bands they inspired, BIG STAR: NOTHING CAN HURT ME is a story of artistic and musical salvation.   

Among many ardent music fans and critics the band, Big Star, is widely regarded as one of the greatest bands in rock history. Never experiencing popular success in their time; even today their greatest notoriety is from their song, "In the Street" the title theme for the Fox sitcom, That 70s Show.

BIG STAR: NOTHING CAN HURT ME traces the origins and history of the legendary band from the late sixties with lead singer Alex Chilton sky-rocketing to stardom at the age of sixteen with The Box Tops and their #1 hit, "The Letter" to the serendipitous meeting of Chilton and local Memphis singer-songwriter-guitarist, Chris Bell; through the tumultuous recording of the group's three landmark albums, #1 Record, Radio City and Third/Sister Lovers (Ardent Records); culminating with their implosion due to failed record sales, personal breakdowns and the tragic death of Chris Bell in 1978.    

 

UPCOMING BIG STAR EVENTS

7/3 New York, NY - IFC Center - film opening *
7/5-6 Los Angeles, CA - Nuart Theater - film opening #
7/10 Detroit, MI - Magic Bag - film opening
7/12 Memphis, TN - Ridgeway - film opening
7/12 Nashville, TN - The Belcourt - film opening
7/12 Minneapolis, MN - Lagoon Cinema - film opening
7/12 Pittsburgh, PA - Hollywood Theater - film opening
7/13 Montreal, QC - La Salla Rossa - film opening
7/13 & 07/17 Chicago, IL - Music Box - film opening
7/19 San Francisco, CA - Roxie - film opening
7/19 Phoenix, AZ - Valley Art - film opening
7/19 Seattle, WA - The Grand Illusion Cinema - film opening
7/19 Miami, FL - The O Theater - film opening
7/19 Cambridge, MA - The Brattle - film opening
7/20 Portland, OR - Hollywood Theater - film opening

7/21-22 Austin, TX - Alamo Ritz - film opening
7/25 Portland, ME - Space Gallery - film opening
7/26 Dallas, TX - Texas Theater - film opening
7/26 Denver, CO - Sie Film Center - film opening
7/30 New Orleans, LA - Contemporary Arts Center - film opening
8/03 Jacksonville, FL - The Sun-Ray - film opening %
8/09 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center for the Arts - film opening
8/10 Ooltewah, TN - The Barking Legs Theater - film opening   

* = followed by Q&A w/ Jody Stephens & filmmakers

# = followed by Q&A w/ Jody Stephens & filmmakers, plus live acoustic performance from Jody Stephens 
% = followed by Q&A w/ filmmakers

bigstarstory.com