Alex Ross Perry’s Pavements Lands After
Venice Premiere
The much-anticipated film Pavements, directed by indie filmmaker Alex Ross Perry, has found a new home with Utopia for its U.S. distribution. The film debuted at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in September 2024, earning critical acclaim for its unique, genre-bending style and its unconventional portrayal of the iconic 1990s indie rock band Pavement. Shortly after the Venice premiere, Utopia secured the U.S. rights to the film, positioning it for wider distribution in North America. This acquisition is particularly significant given Utopia’s track record of distributing bold, offbeat films, aligning well with the spirit of Perry's latest project.
The
Concept Behind 'Pavements'
Pavements is not your typical music documentary. The
film is a hybrid of documentary, documentary, and fictionalized biopic
elements, a deliberate choice by Perry, who sought to defy traditional music
documentary formats. Perry was originally approached by Matador Records to
create a film about Pavement, but front man Stephen Markus insisted on
something less formulaic. The resulting project blends real footage with
scripted scenes, and even includes a musical stage play based on Pavement’s
discography. This creative vision draws comparisons to other experimental rock
films like I'm Not There by Todd Haynes and Rolling Thunder Revue by Martin
Scorsese.
The film follows the band's reunion tour in 2022 and
dives deep into the culture of the indie rock scene that Pavement helped
define. The mix of reality and fiction in Pavements serves as a meta-commentary
on the very idea of band mythmaking, where fact and fiction blur together.
Perry’s playful, genre-defying approach mirrors the irreverent and experimental
ethos of Pavement's music itself, making it more than just a fan film—it's a
reflection on the band's impact on alternative rock and their legacy.
The
Cast and Musical Elements
The cast includes notable actors such as Joe Keery,
Jason Schwartzman, and Tim Heidecker, alongside the actual members of
Pavement—Stephen Malkmus, Bob Nastanovich, Scott Kannberg, Steve West, and Mark
Ibold—who all play themselves. This blend of actors and real-life band members
further emphasizes the film’s fluid navigation between reality and fiction.
In addition to documentary elements, Pavements
features a jukebox musical titled Slanted! Enchanted!, incorporating Pavement's
songs into a stage production. This aspect of the film required re-arrangements
of their music, transforming their lo-fi, indie sound into something fit for a Broadway-style
show. Perry collaborated with long-time colleagues, including composers Keegan
DeWitt and Dabney Morris, to create these arrangements, showcasing Pavement’s
music in a new light.
Reception
at Venice and Utopia's Acquisition
Pavements received positive reactions at its Venice
premiere, with critics praising its innovative format and Perry’s ability to
inject humor and emotional depth into the story. The film was noted for being
more than just a love letter to Pavement fans—it was also a commentary on
nostalgia, indie rock culture, and the art of storytelling in music
documentaries.
Utopia’s acquisition of the film after its Venice
screening is a fitting partnership. The distribution company, known for
supporting unconventional indie films, is expected to give Pavements a broad
platform in the U.S., helping it reach not only Pavement’s dedicated fanbase
but also cinephiles and lovers of experimental cinema. Utopia’s catalog
includes similar genre-bending films, and Pavements will likely appeal to
audiences looking for something beyond the usual rockumentary fare.
Future
Prospects
The next big screening for Pavements is set for the
New York Film Festival, where it will make its North American debut. With
Utopia's backing, the film is poised for a wider release across the U.S. in
2025. Fans of Pavement, indie rock, and experimental film will likely flock to
see this unconventional tribute to one of the most influential bands of the
1990s. As Pavement’s music continues to influence new generations, Pavements
serves as both a historical document and an exploration of the band's lasting
impact on the music industry.
Alex Ross Perry’s ability to combine fact, fiction,
and nostalgia into a cohesive, entertaining film makes Pavements a standout in
both music and film circles. It continues to challenge the conventions of
documentary filmmaking, much like how Pavement challenged the mainstream music
scene in their heyday.
In the ever-growing landscape of music documentaries
and biopics, Pavements stands out for its creativity, innovation, and the way
it captures the spirit of indie rock. With Utopia's support, the film is set to
resonate with a wide audience, offering something new even for those familiar
with the genre.
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