Music documentaries about Devo, Broken Social Scene, Ol’ Dirty Bastard and more to screen at Doc’N’Roll Film Festival in Dublin
The Doc’N’Roll Film Festival returns to The Lighthouse Cinema in October.
Balkan rock, blues rock, punk, hip hop, ska, indie, new wave and industrial are among the genres featured and explored in the film festival that takes its films on tour to New York City, Melbourne, Toronto, Los Angeles, London, Ohio and Dublin for the second time.
This year’s lineup of seven Irish premiere feature documentary films are about Devo, The Black Keys, Pauline Black (The Selecter), Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Genesis P-Orridge, Gogol Bordello and Broken Social Scene.
There will be Q&A sessions (in-person and online) for some too, and here’s the lineup in full below.
“As a proud Dubliner, I’m absolutely thrilled to bring the 2nd edition of Doc’n Roll Film Festival to my hometown. After launching this passion project in London over a decade ago, it’s an honour to now showcase these incredible music documentaries at the Lighthouse Cinema. This year’s lineup is one of our most eclectic yet, spanning genres and cities from all over the globe. From the raw energy of Gogol Bordello and the genre-defining legacy of Pauline Black, to the lush, orchestral indie rock of Broken Social Scene, I can’t wait for Dublin audiences to experience these captivating stories on the big screen.”
Colm Forde, Co-founder of Doc’n Roll Film Fest.
Doc’N’Roll Film Festival programme
Devo + Online Director Q&A
October 25th | 8:30pm | Lighthouse
Dir. Chris Smith, US, 2024, 93 mins
Acclaimed filmmaker Chris Smith (Wham!, Fyre, 100 Foot Wave, and Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond) captures the gloriously radical spirit that is DEVO – a rare band founded by a philosophy; a Dada experiment of high art meets low, hellbent on infiltrating American popular culture. Through never-before-seen archival and interviews with Mark Mothersbaugh, Bob Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale, Devo relishes in the highs, lows, surreal moments and incredible performances of a 50-year career, embracing the spectacle of the band from their lo-fi beginnings to pioneers of the music video in the early days of MTV’s cultural dominance.
Band members share memories and archives, charting their origins as Kent State University arts students shaped by the activism of the late 1960s. Following the 1970 massacre on their campus, the band’s concept of cultural “De-Evolution” turned from satirical humour to urgent social commentary, and what began as subversive counterprogramming to KSU’s 1973 arts festival would go on to warn of, comment on, and reflect back the absurdism of the late 20th century. Finding mainstream success at the height of 1980s consumerism, Devo soundtracked the De-Evolution they’d long predicted – and influenced a 21st century they’d have never believed.
Pauline Black: A 2 Tone Story
October 26th | 2:30pm | Lighthouse
Dir. Jane Mingay, UK, 2024, 92 mins
Pauline Black, lead singer of 2-Tone hit band The Selecter, tells her extraordinary life story in the same frank manner that helped shape her as an iconic, era-defining female musician. Pauline had a difficult upbringing and joining the 2-Tone music movement in 1979 was the perfect catalyst; enabling her to explore and express all sides of herself.
Looking back at her own ground-breaking experience in this feature documentary, Pauline traces how her legacy came about and how it is relevant to the world today, especially where society pushes the boundaries of gender, politics, race and identity.
Pauline, of mixed Nigerian and Jewish heritage, was adopted into a white family in Essex in the 50’s. Her upbringing was defined by casual racism from within her own family. Pauline went on to find her own identity in the Coventry 2-Tone music scene and The Selecter was a reflection of working-class life in Thatcher’s Britain, their music as social reportage and with an ethos of anti-racism and anti-sexism.
This is a cinematic and visceral documentary mixing intimate actuality, archive and interviews and a storming soundtrack. Contributors include Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson, Don Letts, Skin, Damon Albarn, Rhoda Dakar, Lynval Golding, Mykaell Riley, Sonia Boyce and Jools Holland.
S/He Is Still Her/E – The Official Genesis P-Orridge Doc + In-Person Director Q&A
October 26th | 6:00pm | Lighthouse
Dir. David Charles Rodrigues, US, 2024, 98 mins
Genesis P-Orridge lived their art to the extreme. A pioneering musician, avant-garde artist, spiritual explorer and gender revolutionary, Genesis has been featured in films and videos, but never the full story… never this intimate… until now. In an authorised, raw and personal documentary, award-winning director David Charles Rodrigues (Gay Chorus Deep South) documents the final year of P-Orridge’s existence as they grapple with mortality and, in the process, reveal the many sacrifices and ultimate payoffs of a life that transcended boundaries. Featuring William Burroughs, Brion Gyson, Timothy Leary, Alice Genese (Psychic TV), David J (Bauhaus/Love and Rockets), Nepalese monks, African witch doctors, and a special cameo by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, plus never-before-seen archival treasures, including performances from Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV.
Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale Of Two Dirtys
October 26th | 8:00pm | Lighthouse
Directors Jason Pollard, Sam Pollard, US, 2024, 88 mins
A&E’s “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale Of Two Dirtys” is the first official documentary about the late Russell Tyrone Jones, founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan and hip-hop icon. This definitive documentary explores how Jones created ODB, the hip-hop alter-ego superhero that would ultimately consume him. Featuring interviews with Mariah Carey, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, family members, and more.
Scream Of My Blood: A Gogol Bordello Story
October 27th | 3:00pm | Lighthouse
Dirs. Nate Pommer and Eric Weinrib , US, 2024, 99 mins
With Ukraine’s sovereignty and cultural identity under threat, punk icons Gogol Bordello are using their music as a rallying cry for a nation. Through never before seen photos and video archives spanning two decades – including concert performances, backstage moments and revealing interviews – Scream of My Blood: A Gogol Bordello Story follows the epic journey of Eugene Hütz, Gogol Bordello frontman and compelling storyteller. A Romani born in Ukraine, Hütz fled his homeland during the Chornobyl disaster. After years of exorcising demons through his music, we follow his journey home to face the biggest demon of all. A wild punk-rock doc, this is a testament to the power of speaking your truth, no matter the cost.
This Is A Film About The Black Keys
October 27th | 6:00pm | Lighthouse
Dir. Jeff Dupre, US, 2024, 89 mins
This is a Film about The Black Keys traces Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney’s journey from a jamming session in a basement in Akron, Ohio to rock ’n’ roll superstardom. They barely knew each other when they made their first recordings, yet quickly realised they shared a powerful musical connection and a drive to succeed. Touring relentlessly for ten years, the duo navigated the highs and lows of life on the road, finally reaching escape velocity with their hit records Brothers and El Camino. Despite so many forces threatening to pull them apart, the band has managed to stick together, and 24 years later, they’re tighter than ever, still making great music and still asking what’s next.
It’s All Gonna Break / Broken Social Scene + Online Director Q&A
October 28th | 6:00pm | Lighthouse
Dir. Stephen Chung, Canada, US, 2024, 94 mins
A group of young musicians collectively known as Broken Social Scene joined forces in Toronto in the early 2000s and soon became a worldwide phenomenon. Cinematographer and friend Stephen Chung was there, capturing it all. Friendships, relationships, business and art: Chung lovingly documents the highs and lows of a band determined to create music on their own terms, and ended up changing everything. It’s All Gonna Break is a celebration of the creative process, a homage to art and artists, and a love letter to the community and city that allowed Broken Social Scene to thrive. With footage from a time before everyone had a camera in their pocket, this is a time capsule showing how special those moments were. Featuring previously unseen personal archival footage, and modern-day interviews with Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning, Feist, Emily Haines, Amy Milan, Charles Spearin, Andrew Whiteman, Justin Peroff, John Crossingham, Evan Cranley, James Shaw, Jeffrey Remedios and David Newfeld.
