If the Stars Had a Sound
| If the Stars Had a Sound | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Antony Crook[1] |
| Produced by | Kyrie Barker (credited as Kyrie McTavish) |
| Edited by | David Arthur |
| Music by | Mogwai |
Production company | Visit Films |
| Distributed by | Lightbulb Film (UK & Ireland)
|
Release dates |
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Running time | 91 minutes[1] |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
If the Stars Had a Sound is a 2024 biographical film that focuses on the career of Scottish rock band Mogwai, and was directed by Antony Crook. After showings at SXSW in March 2024,[3] and at various film festivals, it was released in UK and Ireland cinemas for a one-night showing on 19 November 2024,[4] and will be released theatrically in the US to coincide with the band's tour there in 2025.[2] The film was nominated for "Best Documentary Feature" at the 2024 Raindance Film Festival.[5] The title of the film is taken from part of a spoken sample that opens "Yes! I Am a Long Way from Home", the first track on the band's debut album.[6]
Narrative
The film opens with footage filmed in the week of the release of the band's album As the Love Continues in 2021, and also shows the recording of the album with producer Dave Fridmann acting remotely from the US during the COVID pandemic.[7] It then moves back to the 1990s, showing archive footage of the band playing, and numerous interviews with notable people (Fridmann, Alex Kapranos, Ian Rankin, Arthur Baker) talking about their evolution and influence.[4][7][8] Baker recalls showing the band the Jewish hymn Avinu Malkeinu[7] and suggesting they could use it, leading to the recording of "My Father My King" together with extended concert footage of the song.[4] The film eventually switches back to 2021, and As the Love Continues reaching No.1 in the UK album charts, together with footage of the band receiving plaudits and appearing at the Mercury Music Prize awards. The last part of the film is given to numerous fans, both famous and regular, talking about what the band's music means to them.[3]
Reception
Reception to the film was generally positive. The Indiependent said "It's not just a love letter to the fans and the band's long-enduring success, it's a love letter to every underground artist out there."[8] whilst Jenny Nulf in the Austin Chronicle said "there's absolutely no vanity in the film ... instead, it focuses on the connections made through their music."[3] Phil Hoad in the Guardian remarked "while this film is sketchy on the details, it truly soars when capturing [the band] live".[4] Rachel Kent from The Reviews Hub, whilst saying that "Devoted fans will enjoy every fuzzy faded moment, and delight in the generous portions of music" also said that "as a documentary, however, the film falls short in many ways."[7]
References
- ^ a b "If the Stars had a Sound". Glasgow Film. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ a b Kay, Jeremy. "Visit Films closes US, UK deals on SXSW doc 'Mogwai: If The Stars Had A Sound'". Screen Daily. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ a b c Nulf, Jenny (13 March 2024). "Mogwai: If the Stars Had a Sound". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d Hoad, Phil. "Mogwai: If the Stars Had a Sound review – Glasgow postrockers let the music do the talking". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ "Mogwai: If The Stars Had A Sound + Q&A". Raindance Film Festival. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ "Mogwai: If the Stars had a Sound". Kid Vinyl. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d Kent, Rachel. "Mogwai: If the Stars had a Sound". The Reviews Hub. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ a b Trumata, Mae. "'Mogwai: If the Stars Had a Sound' Review: A Showcase in the Power of Independent Music-Making". Indiependent. Retrieved 20 November 2024.