“Anvil!” rock documentary gets theatrical release and VH1 screening
EDITOR’S NOTE: “Anvil! The Story of Anvil” was one of the documentaries featured at the 2008 Asheville Film Festival, for which writer Michael Knox serves as a film recruiter.
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
“Anvil! The Story of Anvil,” a rock’n'roll documentary that premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival has landed a deal with VH1 as well as received a scheduled theatrical release. The film will be released on April 10 in New York and Los Angeles followed by a national release.
The film follows Steve “Lips” Kudlow and Robb Reiner and their band, Anvil, which released their album, 1982’s “Metal on Metal.” The album influenced an entire musical generation of rock bands, including Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax, who all went on to sell millions of records, according to a news release. Anvil, on the other hand, took a different path — straight to obscurity. The film follows their last-ditch quest for the fame and fortune that has been so elusive to them.
The film includes appearances by heavy metal icons, including Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, former member of Guns N’ Roses’ Slash, Anthrax’s Scott Ian, and Slayer’s Tom Araya, among others.
“This film is so much more than a documentary about the roots of metal. It’s a story about the power of perseverance and friendship and the passion that drives them,” said Tom Calderone, President of VH1. “‘Anvil! The Story of Anvil’ has a huge heart and will resonate with all of our viewers. This is the type of project that drew me into the VH1 fold and makes me especially proud to work here.”
Ironically, life is now looking up for the band. After years of playing to empty bars and working dead end jobs, the band is beginning to find the success that evaded them for decades, according to a news release. They have recently been signed by manager Rick Sales (Slayer), US agent Scott Sokol (Megadeth, Heaven and Hell), and UK agent Steve Strange (Coldplay).
Their latest fan, Sarah Brown (wife of the Prime Minister), attended the red carpet premiere of the film in the UK. Now with a U.S. Tour, the support of VH1 and VH1 Classic, a feature documentary the band is picking up where they left off twenty five years ago.
“Anvil! The Story of Anvil” is the directorial debut of screenwriter Sacha Gervasi (“The Terminal”) and was produced by Rebecca Yeldham (“The Kite Runner” and “The Motorcycle Diaries”).
“When I was sixteen years old Anvil was my favorite band in the world,” Gervasi said in a news release. “I couldn’t believe it when I met Lips and Robb in London and they invited me to come out on the road with them. Running away to join the rock and roll circus was, of course, an experience I never forgot. When I met the band again twenty years later I was completely awed and inspired to discover that they simply refused to give up on the dream they had had as kids. It makes me intensely happy and proud to see the band finally getting the recognition they so richly deserve.”
“Anvil! The Story of Anvil” premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and went on to win the Audience Awards at the 2008 Los Angeles Film Festival, 2008 Sydney Film Festival, and 2009 Jameson Dublin International Film Festival.
Praised as “The best documentary I’ve seen in years,” by documentarian Michael Moore, the London Times calls it “Possibly the greatest film yet made about rock and roll;”
Producer Rebecca Yeldham said she can see why the movie appeals to audiences.
“Sacha (Gervasi) knew from the beginning that this was not just a ‘metal’ film. In my first encounter with Anvil, it was impossible not to be moved by their loyalty, determination and mad, blind faith,” Yeldham said in a news release. “How sweet it is to see them now ride this tide of success — not just to be heard, finally — but to be heralded for their humbling tenacity and devotion to their art and to each other.”
Timed to the release of the film in April, VH1 Classic will serve as the exclusive presenter for the band’s U.S. tour. “VH1 Classic Presents: The Anvil Experience” will cover seven markets and upcoming dates, venues and ticket information will be available immediately on the film’s website anvilmovie.com and vh1classic.com. At each tour stop, the film will be played immediately followed by a short performance by the band.
Tour Dates:
* April 6 – NY, NY – Blender Theater
* April 12 – San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
* April 14 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
* April 16 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium
* April 17 – Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero
* April 21 – Pontiac, MI – Crofoot Ballroom
* April 22 – Chicago, IL – Metro
