9 songs press kit page 01.ai

OFFICIAL SELECTION 2004
2004
TORONTO
2004
DINARD
2004
SAN SEBASTIAN
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
ACCENT FILM ENTERTAINMENT & REVOLUTION FILMS PRESENT
[R]
A Film by Michael WINTERBOTTOM
One Summer, Two People, Eight Bands, 9 Songs.
[R]
A Film by Michael WINTERBOTTOM
with Margo STILLEY and Kieran O'BRIEN
Runtime - 69 mins.
Rating : R18+ (actual sex, high-level sex scenes)
SEASON COMMENCES MAY 2005
Distributed throughout Australia and New Zealand by
Melbourne Publicity - Annette Smith, Ned & Co. Marketing and Publicity
Ph: 61 3 9531 9910 Fx: 61 3 9531 9935 Mobile: 0419 578 925 Email: [email protected]
Accent Film Entertainment Pty Ltd
100 Bay Street, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia.
T (613) 9646 0822 F (613) 9645 3899 E [email protected] W accentfilm.com
S Y N O P S I S
9 Songs takes place in London in the autumn of 2003.
Lisa is an American student in London for a year. Matt meets
her at a Black Rebel Motorcycle Concert at the Brixton
Academy. Matt falls in love with her and the film follows their
relationship, as well as seeing songs from each of the concerts
they go to together:
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
The Von Bondies
Elbow
Primal Scream
The Dandy Warhols
Super Furry Animals
Franz Ferdinand
Michael Nyman
In between the music and the bands we see Matt and Lisa
making love and it is through their lovemaking that their
relationship unfolds.
We follow their love affair up until Christmas when Lisa leaves
to go back to America.
PRODUCTION NOTES
IDEAS AND INSPIRATION
Michael was initially inspired by Michel Houellebecq's sexually
explicit novel Platform - 'It's a great book, full of explicit sex and
again I was thinking, how come books can do this but film, which is
far greater disposed to it, can't?' Michael met with Houellebecq, but
as it turned out the French novelist had his own film plans for the
book.
The film is told as a flashback. Matt, who is fascinated by Antarctica,
is visiting the white continent and recalling his love affair with Lisa. In
the voice over, Matt compares being in Antarctica to being 'two
people in a bed - claustrophobia and agoraphobia in the same place'.
The images of the ice and the never-ending landscape of Antarctica
are effectively cut in to shots of the crowded concerts.
The film had no script. The dialogue evolved during the filming
through improvisation and interaction between the actors and the
director.
CASTING
It was clear from the beginning that it would require two very special
people to consent to having sex on film.
The casting process began with open auditions however these
proved unsuccessful and the majority of the people who turned up
were men.
Michael had already worked with Kieran O'Brien on 24 HOUR PARTY
PEOPLE and CRACKER.
Margo was found via the Extras and Model agency IQ Casting. Margo
had only done acting work as an extra and worked mainly as a fashion
model.
From the outset, it was very important that the actors felt at ease.
There was a short rehearsal period before the main shoot that gave the
actors a chance to get to know each other first and also decide if they
wanted to continue. Some of these rehearsal scenes eventually ended
up in the final film.
THE BANDS
With the bands, Michael wanted to film at live concerts of bands performing in
London during the period of November 2003 to February 2004. In true rock and roll
style, most of the bands approached were very excited about the film. By the end
of October, however, the line up of bands on board were Primal Scream, Super
Furry Animals, Elbow, The Von Bondies, Franz Ferdinand, Black Rebel Motorcycle
Club, The Dandy Warhols and Michael Nyman at his 60th Birthday Party.
The majority of the concerts took place at Brixton Academy, with the exception of
The Dandy Warhols at The Forum, Primal Scream at the Hammersmith Apollo and
Michael Nyman at the Hackney Empire.
The filming of the bands was made easier with such a small crew and the fact the
filming was done using only handheld DV cameras. The live music was recorded
using a feed from the main mix supplied by the music venue. On the day, the
sound was set up as the bands did their sound check and the rest of the crew
arrived and got backstage access to set up an hour before the concert. During the
concert, Marcel, Mat and Michael were in the crowd with the DV cameras (one of
them filming from the pit) and Stuart was at the main mixing desk recording the
sound.
SHOOTING ON DV
The film was shot on DV (digital video) using hand held DV cameras with no extra
lighting.
All the concert footage was shot using up to 3 handheld DV cameras in the crowd
and no additional lighting. This meant the film crew could go unnoticed in the
crowd and this gives the film a real sense of watching the bands as if through the
eyes of the characters.
The rest of the filming took place on location in London and Norfolk. The filming
crew was limited to just the director, camera, sound, and a production assistant.
D I R E C T O R ' S
S T A T E M E N T
'In 9 songs I wanted to explore the
relationship between physical and emotional
intimacy. How is it possible to do that without
trying to honestly show the two characters at
their most intimate?
Books can deal with sex in the same way as
they deal with any other aspects of a
relationship. Why shouldn't film? Cinema is
the obvious place to try and capture the
sensation of being in love. But to do that you
have to be willing to show them making love.
For some reason cinema has been extremely
conservative and prudish. Fifty years ago
books with explicit sexual content were in the
same position as films today. Since the
publication of Lady Chatterley's lover that has
changed. It is time for cinema to have the
same freedom as literature.'
Michael Winterbottom
9
S O N G S
Ex c l us i v e l i v e perform anc es from :
BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB
VON BONDIES
ELBOW
PRIMAL SCREAM
DANDY WARHOLS
SUPER FURRY ANIMALS
FRANZ FERDINAND
MICHAEL WINTERBOTTOM
DIRECTOR & PRODUCER
Michael Winterbottom was born in Blackburn in 1961.
Film credits include BUTTERFLY KISS (1994) and GO NOW (1995)
which won Winterbottom his second Prix Europa. JUDE (1995) with
Christopher Eccleston and Kate Winslet premiered at the Directors
Fortnight in Cannes and won The Michael Powell award for Best
Film at the Edinburgh Film Festival and The Golden Hitchcock
Award at Dinard.
In 1996 he was in competition in Cannes with WELCOME TO
SARAJEVO. I WANT YOU (1997), competed at Berlin in 1998.
These were followed by WITH OR WITHOUT YOU, for Channel 4
Films and Miramax and WONDERLAND, selected for the
competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival and Edinburgh,
winner of the British Independence Film Award for Best Film and
nominated for Best British Film at the 2000 BATFA's.
2001 saw THE CLAIM, which was followed by a return to official
competition in Cannes in 2002 with 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE.
The critically acclaimed IN THIS WORLD (2002) was the winner of
the Golden Bear, the Ecumenical Jury Prize and the Peace Prize at
the Berlin Film Festival, 2003. IN THIS WORLD was also nominated
for Best Film, Best Director and Best Director of Photography at the
European Film Awards and also won the Independent Film
MICHAEL WINTERBOTTOM
DIRECTOR & PRODUCER
cont'd
Awards for Best Technical Achievement and Best Achievement in
Production. The film has been nominated for Best Film of 2003 at
the South Bank Show Awards and also for Best British Film and
British Director at the 24th Film Critics Circle Awards. IN THIS
WORLD has also been nominated for two BAFTAS - The Alexander
Korda Award for the outstanding British film of the year and for Best
Film Not In The English Language.
In 2003 Michael directed CODE 46 starring Tim Robbins and
Samantha Morton, which is due for release this summer.
He has also worked as an executive producer with his long time
producer Andrew Eaton through Revolution on Damien O'Donnells'
follow-up to EAST IS EAST, HEARTLANDS which was released in
the UK 2003 and Stephen Fry's directorial debut BRIGHT YOUNG
THINGS.
Michael was winner of the Alexander Walker Special Award at the
Evening Standard Film Awards, 2004.
FILMOGRAPHY
FILM :
2004
2003
2002
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
DOCUMENTAIRES :
9 SONGS
CODE 46
IN THIS WORLD
24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE
THE CLAIM
WONDERLAND
I WANT YOU
WITH OR WITHOUT YOU
WELCOME TO SARAJEVO
JUDE
GO NOW
BUTTERFLY KISS
1994
1993
1992
1988
FAMILY
CRACKER (one episode)
LOVE LIES BLEEDING
UNDER THE SUN
INGMAR BERGMAN :
THE MAGIC LANTERN
INGMAR BERGMAN :
THE DIRECTOR
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
KIERAN O'BRIEN (MATT)
Kieran O'Brien's film credits include 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE
(2000. dir. Michael Winterbottom), MY KINGDOM (2001 dir. Don
Boyd) and VIRTUAL SEXUALITY (1999 dir. Nick Hurran) and with
a thriving stage career, he as appeared at The Gate Theatre in
DANTONS DEATH, at the Royal National in GUIDING STAR and
The Sheffield Crucible in THE MAN WHO HAD ALL THE LUCK,
directed by the award winning Michael Grandage.
O'Brien's television credits include contemporary drama series
BURN IT for BBC Three, the acclaimed war drama BAND OF
BROTHERS, HEARTS AND BONES, BORN TO RUN (all for the
BBC) and JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (C4). In addition he
starred as Ken Stotts younger brother in the critically acclaimed
MESSIAH as well as three series of CRACKER and the lead in
three series of CHILDREN'S WARD (all for ITV). O'Brien also
starred in A&E (ITV) and STIG OF THE DUMP for Childrens BBC.
MARGO STILLEY (LISA)
Margo Stilley, 21, an actress-model from Bear Creek, North
Carolina who was found for the role of Lisa via a London casting
agency. Nine Songs is Margo's acting debut.
In 1998 Andrew and Michael made WITH OR WITHOUT YOU and
WONDERLAND back to back. WONDERLAND was in competition at Cannes and
Edinburgh International Film Festival in 1999. The film has gone on to win Best
Film at the British Independent Film Awards and has been nominated for Best
British Film at the 2000 BAFTA's. In 2001 Andrew produced THE CLAIM which
premiered at Berlin. This was followed by 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE which was
in competition at Cannes in 2002 and won Best Achievement in Production at the
British Independent Film Awards 2002.
CREW BIOGRAPHIES
ANDREW EATON (PRODUCER & EXECUTIVE PRODUCER)
Andrew Eaton studied classics and law at Cambridge and worked in theatre
publicity before joining BBC Television as a researcher. He directed and
produced documentaries for the BBC's "Arena" and "Omnibus" arts
programmes on a wide variety of subjects including John Ford and ABBA.
In 1993 Andrew produced "Family", a four part drama for the BBC, written by
Roddy Doyle. Shortly afterwards he and Michael Winterbottom, who directed
"Family", formed Revolution Films. Through Revolution, Andrew and Michael
have collaborated on ten features. 'Go Now'(1995) won them a Prix Europa,
and I WANT YOU (1998) premiered in competition at Berlin, winning a
special prize for Cinematography.
IN THIS WORLD was in competition at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2003
where it won the Golden Bear, the Peace Prize and the Ecumenical Jury Prize. IN
THIS WORLD was nominated for Best Film, Best Director and Best Director of
Photography at the European Film Awards and also won the Independent Film
Awards for Best Technical Achievement and Best Achievement in Production. The
film has been nominated for Best Film of 2003 at the South Bank Show Awards
and also for Best British Film and British Director at the 24th Film Critics Circle
Awards. IN THIS WORLD has also been nominated for two BAFTAS this year The Alexander Korda Award for the outstanding British film of the year and for
Best Film Not In The English Language. Last year Andrew produced Michael's
latest film CODE 46 starring Oscar nominees Tim Robbins and Samantha Morton.
Andrew has also worked as an executive producer with Michael at Revolution on
Damien O'Donnell's follow-up to EAST IS EAST, HEARTLANDS which was
released in the UK in spring 2003 and Stephen Fry's directorial debut BRIGHT
YOUNG THINGS was released in September 2003. With Michael, Andrew is
currently Executive Producing Tracey Emin's first feature TOP SPOT funded by
the BBC.
As well as his work with Michael Winterbottom, Andrew produced THE JAMES
GANG, directed by Mike Barker, and RESURRECTION MAN with director Marc
Evans.
MELISSA PARMENTER (ASSOCIATE PRODUCER)
Melissa joined Revolution Films in 2001 as assistant to Andrew Eaton and
Michael Winterbottom. She worked as Italian and French fixer on IN THIS
WORLD and since last year has been producing 'TOP SPOT' a film by the
British Artist Tracey Emin. 'TOP SPOT' was funded by the BBC and will be
showing on BBC Three and also BBC 2 over the next year. The film will also
have a theatric release.
While working as Associate Producer on 9 SONGS, Melissa also specially
composed and performed two piano pieces 'SOLA' and 'PLATFORM' which
are in the film.
Before working at Revolution, Melissa worked at Objective Productions as a
TV Researcher for shows such as 'The Quick Trick Show' (CITV), 'Derren
Brown: Mind Control' (Channel 4), and '5 Go Dating' (E4).
MARCEL ZYSKIND (DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)
IN THIS WORLD is Marcel Zyskind's debut feature as Director of
Photography. Prior to this he was Focus Puller and Camera Operator for
Director Lars von Trier on DANCER IN THE DARK and MILLENIUM
PROJECT.
Zyskind has also worked as Camera and Steadicam Operator on ROD JULL
(Dir. Linus Tunstrom), 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE (Dir. Michael
Winterbottom) and 28 DAYS LATER (Dir. Danny Boyle).
Marcel studied cinematography at the Lodz Film School in Poland.
STUART WILSON (SOUND RECORDIST)
Stuart Wilson previously worked with Michael Winterbottom on IN THIS
WORLD, CODE 46 and 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE. He has worked as
Sound Recordist on numerous features including: THE CONSTANT
GARDENER (Dir. Fernando Meirelles), THE DREAMERS (Dir. Bernardo
Bertolucci), INNOCENCE (Dir. Kristina Levring), SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
(Dir. Charles Beeson), THE LAST YELLOW (Dir. Julian Ferino) and THE
LAND GIRLS (Dir. David Leland)
Stuart has also created sound FX for Lynnes Ramsay's debut feature RAT
CATCHER and Jerry Weintraub's THE AVENGERS amongst others.
MAT WHITECROSS (EDITOR)
NINE SONGS is Mat Whitecross's first feature as Editor. Leading up to this
he has worked on high profile promo's for features such as THE CONSTANT
GARDENER (Dir. Fernando Meirelles 'City of God') and THE FESTIVAL (Dir.
Annie Griffin 'The Book Group'). Mat worked with Michael Winterbottom on
CODE 46 as a 2nd Unit Director and as an assistant on IN THIS WORLD. He
also recently worked as 2nd Unit Editor on THE UPSIDE OF ANGER starring
Kevin Costner and Joan Allen.
JOAKIM SUNDSTRÖM (SOUND EDITOR)
Joakim Sundström has worked as Sound Editor on many feature films and
feature documentaries including ROBINSON IN SPACE (dir: Patrick Keiller)
and HEARTLANDS (Dir: Damien O'Donnell).
He has worked previously with Michael Winterbottom on the Director's
homage to Manchester Music, 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE. Most recently he
completed work on Oscar winning Director Kevin MacDonald's feature
documentary TOUCHING THE VOID.
CAST
LISA
MATT
MARGO STILLEY
KIERAN O'BRIEN
CREW
DIRECTOR
PRODUCER
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
D.O.P.
SOUND RECORDIST
EDITOR
SOUND EDITOR
DUBBING MIXER
ADDITIONAL SOUND MIXERS
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
ADDITIONAL CAMERA OPERATORS
FOR REVOLUTION FILMS:
HEAD OF PRODUCTION
CASTING
A REVOLUTION FILMS PRODUCTION
MICHAEL WINTERBOTTOM
ANDREW EATON
MELISSA PARMENTER
MARCEL ZYSKIND
STUART WILSON
MAT WHITECROSS
JOAKIM SUNDSTRÖM
RICHARD DAVEY
RASHAD OMAR
ALAN CRIDFORD
TRISTAN ANIKA
MARTYN RICHMOND
MOLLY TUDHOPE
ANNE MARIE LEAN VERCOE
MAT WHITECROSS
FIONA MCGUIRE
IQ CASTING
SONGS
WHATEVER HAPPENED
TO MY ROCK AND ROLL (Live)
Performed by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
(Peter Hayes, Robert Turner, Nick Jago)
Composed by Peter Hayes/Robert Been/
Nicholas Jago
© BRMC Music/WB Music Corp by kind
permission of Warner/Chappell Music Ltd
Courtesy of Virgin Records Limited/
Virgin Records America, Inc
CMON CMON (Live)
Performed by The Von Bondies
(Don Blum, Marcie Bolan, Carrie Smith,
Jason Stollsteimer)
Composed by Jason Stollsteimer
Published by In The Act Music Publishing Ltd
Courtesy of Warner Bros Records Inc
SOLA & PLATFORM
Solo piano composed and performed by
Melissa Parmenter
FALLEN ANGEL (Live)
Performed by Elbow (Guy Garvey, Richard
Jupp, Craig Potter, Mark Potter, Peter Turner)
Composed by Guy Garvey/Mark Potter/
Craig Potter/Peter Turner/Richard Jupp
© Salvation Music
By kind permission of Warner/Chappell
Music Ltd
Courtesy of V2 Music Ltd
MICHAEL
Performed by Franz Ferdinand
(Robert Hardy, Alexander Kapranos,
Nicholas McCarthy, Paul Thomson)
Composed by Kapranos/McCarthy
Used by kind permission of
Universal Music Publishing Ltd
Courtesy of Domino Recording Company Ltd
DEBBIE
Written and performed by Michael Nyman
Published by Michael Nyman Limited/
Chester Music Ltd
Courtesy of Virgin Records Ltd
NADIA
Written and performed by Michael Nyman
Published by Michael Nyman Ltd/
Chester Music Ltd
Courtesy of Virgin Records Ltd
MADAN (Exotic Disco Mix)
Performed and written by Salif Keita
Published by Emi Music Publishing Ltd
Courtesy of Universal Records Ltd,
Licensed by kind permission from the film
& TV Licensing Division, part of the Universal
Music Group
MOVINÕ ON UP(Live)
Performed by Primal Scream
(Martin Duffy, Bobby Gillespie, Andrew Innes,
Gary Mounfield, Robert Young)
Composed by Bobby Gillespie/
Robert Young/Andrew Innes
Published by Emi Music Publishing Ltd/
Complete Music Ltd
Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd
YOU WERE THE LAST HIGH (Live)
Performed by The Dandy Warhols
(Brent Deboer, Peter Holmstrom, Zia Mccabe,
Courtney Taylor Taylor)
Words and music by Evan Dando and
Courtney A. Taylor
© 2003 Published by Chrysalis Music Ltd
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under licence from Emi Film and Television
Music Ltd
HORSE TEARS
Performed by Goldfrapp
Composed by Alison Goldfrapp and
Will Gregory
© Warner/Chappell Music Publishing Ltd
By kind permission of Warner/Chappell Music Ltd
Courtesy of Mute Records Ltd
SLOW LIFE (Live)
Performed by Super Furry Animals
(Huw Bunford, Cian Ciaran, Dafydd Ieuan,
Guto Pryce, Gruff Rhys)
Composed by Huw Bunford/Cian Ciaran/
Dafydd Ieuan/Guto Pryce/Gruff Rhys
Used by kind permission of
Universal Music Publishing Ltd
Courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd
IÕVE GOT YOUR NUMBER
Performed by Elbow
Composed by Guy Garvey/Mark Potter/
Craig Potter/Peter Turner/Richard Jupp
© Salvation Music
By kind permission of Warner/Chappell Music Ltd
Courtesy of V2 Music Ltd
JACQUELINE (Live)
Performed by Franz Ferdinand
(Robert Hardy, Alexander Kapranos,
Nicholas McCarthy, Paul Thomson)
Written by Kapranos/ McCarthy/Hardy
Used by kind permission of
Universal Music Publishing Ltd
Courtesy of Domino Recording Company Ltd
LOVE BURNS (Live)
Performed by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
(Peter Hayes, Nick Jago, Robert Turner)
Composed By Peter Hayes/Robert Been/
Nicholas Jago
© BRMC Music/WB Music Corp
By kind permission of Warner/Chappell Music Ltd
Courtesy of Virgin Records Limited/
Virgin Records America, Inc