First details of Moonage Daydream film release NEON has landed the rights to release “Moonage Daydream,” a new feature film, concert documentary and “experiential cinematic odyssey” that follows David Bowie’s life and musical career and is the first sanctioned by Bowie’s estate. Brett Morgen is directing the film that is near completion and will feature Bowie’s own narration. Neon will release “Moonage Daydream” domestically, while Universal Pictures Content Group will release the film internationally, and HBO Documentary Films has North American rights for streaming and cable in spring 2023. The film was designed from conception as a unique cinematic experience and will also be released in IMAX in select markets. The film will also be released in partnership with Public Road Productions, BMG, Live Nation Productions, and HBO Documentary Films. “Moonage Daydream” illuminates the life and genius of David Bowie with a project that shows how Bowie himself worked across several disciplines, not just music and film but also dance, painting, sculpture, video and audio collage, screenwriting, acting, and live theatre. The film reveals the celebrated icon through his own voice and features 48 musical tracks, mixed from their original stems. Morgen was granted access to Bowie’s archives by his estate in 2017 and presented him with master recordings as well as never-before-seen 35mm and 16mm reels of never-before-seen performances, all of which will appear on screen for the first time. In addition, all music in the film has been remixed from the original stems into Dolby Atmos, 12.0, 5.0, and 7.1/5.1... ...Bowie’s long-time collaborator, friend and music producer Tony Visconti also worked on the film alongside sound mixer Paul Massey and David Giammarco, sound design team of John Warhurst and Nina Hartstone and VFX Producer Stefan Nadelman, who worked with Morgen on his film “Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck."
So it seems unclear to me. Are we to expect it in Imax theatres this year then streaming on HBO next year?
I surmise from the wording that NEON is distributing it in a limited theatrical/IMAX release, either alongside or shortly in anticipation of the HBO streaming, both during Spring 2023.
Finally, some visuals from the vaults. Presumably this will feature the concert footage that’s incomplete, things from db Is that we all wish were tasters of full gigs but aren’t? Or will it be one massive trailer in effect for other releases? But, it still has to be said, what of the 50th (ish) anniversary album releases? Anyhow, this looks really interesting and if it explores his multi-disciplinary influences could be great.
I know Montage of Heck was somewhat divisive but the way Morgen (and co) used live footage in Crossfire Hurricane was fantastic IMO. Looking forward to this! Is that a brand new image Bowie btw? I love it.
From Deadline: Neon Unspools New Footage [at CinemaCon] For David Bowie Cannes Film ‘Moonage Daydream’, Eyes Falls Release "Those in the room got to see the music video for Bowie’s “Hallo Spaceboy,” which was filled with the singer’s dance-electronic pop-space coolness. Then a Bowie interview was shown. “We remastered the music so each one of your theaters can provide experiences that audiences have never heard before.” [Morgen] said he spent two years scrolling through every piece of material in the Bowie archives to find the best and rarest. The pic is getting a September [2022] release."
Very cool and exciting to see this on IMAX screens later this year...mindblowing the footage used and David's narration!
Damn. I can't see how this won't be a need yardstick to be measured against for music docs. I go hot and cold on Bowie over his career, but I want to see all of this!
The only film in a long, long while that will get me into a theater again. This looks and sounds dreamy!
Ooh, looks like they found the film rushes for the music video of Jump! (The shot of DB walking down a hallway while wearing a blue suit). Maybe that video can be rebuilt in better quality now.
An enthusiastic, five star review from The Guardian's top reviewer: Moonage Daydream review – glorious, shapeshifting eulogy to David Bowie And here's that Jeremy Paxman interview (warning it's got Jeremy Paxman in it, my apologies):
A somewhat lukewarm review from Hollywood Reporter: ‘Moonage Daydream’ Review: Brett Morgen Digs Into David Bowie Enigma – The Hollywood Reporter
This one is also quite encouraging: ‘Moonage Daydream’ Review: A David Bowie Documentary as Dynamic as the Man Himself
Paxo’s research didn’t even extend to pronouncing db’s name properly. Decades after it had even been a question. Db is quite magnanimous in the circs iirc. I don’t think it took a genius to see what the net would do btw, but the difference is that, as ever, he’d thought about it and how he felt about it creatively. And though it will take some plenty time, his approach to it - enthusiasm followed by a carefully distanced managed usage - will prove to be right. Because he saw that a permanent flat level connectivity would destroy much of what makes humans great. Anyway, looking forward to MD, hoping to see some dates soon.
