Pavements (film)

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Pavements
Directed by Alex Ross Perry
Screenplay byAlex Ross Perry
Stephen Malkmus
Based onSlanted! Enchanted! A Pavement Musical
by Alex Ross Perry
Produced byCraig Butta
Danny Gabai
Peter Kline
Robert Greene
Lance Bangs
Arrow Kruse
Alex Needles
Starring
Cinematography Robert Kolodny
Edited byRobert Greene
Music byPavement
Keegan DeWitt
Dabney Morris
Production
companies
Matador Records
Alldayeveryday
Pulse Films
Field Recordings [1]
Distributed by Utopia
Release date
  • September 4, 2024 (2024-09-04)(Venice)
Running time
128 minutes [2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Pavements is a 2024 American experimental musical biopic concert film directed by Alex Ross Perry. It is a documentary/fiction hybrid film about the American indie band Pavement, incorporating scripted scenes with documentary footage of the band and a musical stage play consisting of songs from their discography. It premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2024. [3]

Contents

Plot

Described as "a semiotic experiment", [4] the film combines elements of documentary with a spoof biopic of the band, and incorporates moments from Slanted! Enchanted! A Pavement Musical, a jukebox musical using Pavement's music. That play is about Essem, an aspiring Stephen Malkmus-like musician in a small town, who meets and falls in love with a woman named Anne, boards a train for New York City with her, is tempted by fame and glory, has an affair with another aspiring musician named Loretta, and wonders if love is worth it. The story loosely tracks the progression and themes of Pavement's works, chronologically. [5]

Cast

Lucy Benzinger, Brandi Campbell, John El-Jor, Tenaya Kelleher, Joe Laplant, Nicholas Lovalvo, and Sophie Morris appear as ensemble members in Slanted! Enchanted!

Production

Matador Records first approached Perry about creating a film with the band, except that frontman Stephen Malkmus wasn’t interested in hiring a documentary filmmaker, instead wanting to hire a screenwriter who would not write a screenplay. Inspired by the elliptical nature of that request, Perry conceived a version of the project that would defy explanation, comparing it to a film about Bob Dylan that combined D.A. Pennebaker’s Dont Look Back , Todd Haynes’ I'm Not There , Martin Scorsese's Rolling Thunder Revue and Dylan's own Renaldo and Clara .

The film's production encompassed the creation of "Pavements 1933-2022: A Pavement Museum", a touring museum exhibit composed of real and fake artifacts from the band's history. [6]

The production of Slanted! Enchanted! signals the first foray into musical theater for Perry, who had previously worked with Pavement on a music video for their song “Harness Your Hopes” and aided in creating the aforementioned Pavement Museum, [7] Longtime Perry collaborator Craig Butta produced the play, enlisting Angela Trimbur to choreograph the musicals extensive and complex dance sequences along with co-choreographer Tenaya Kelleher.

Keegan DeWitt and Dabney Morris, film composers and previous collaborators with Alex Ross Perry worked on the arrangements, re-contextualizing the indie rock slacker songs into the big broadway musical parlance. Robert Kolodny, another Perry collaborator, created the on stage projections which play throughout the entirety of the performance. John Arnos created the set and Amanda Ford designed the costumes. [8]

Michael Esper was cast in the lead of the show, with actor/director Zoe Lister-Jones and Kathryn Gallagher also appearing. [9]

The New York off-Broadway production started previews on December 1, 2022 at the Sheen Center for Thought and Culture in Manhattan's NOHO neighborhood.

A film directed by Perry, entitled Range Life: A Pavement Story, premiered at the Park Slope location of the Nitehawk Cinema on September 14, 2023, described as "a one-of-a-kind, never to be repeated journey through the histories of Pavement." [10] While the screening was not private, it was not advertised as the premiere of the publicized Pavements film project. Like the musical and museum exhibit, the production of this film within a film comprises one strand of Pavements, including footage of the September 2023 "premiere" at the Nitehawk in Brooklyn, complete with red carpet, [11] as well as snapshots of supposed articles promoting Range Life and boasting of its huge budget from the fictitious "Paragon Vantage". [a] [12]

Stephen Malkmus revealed in an October 2024 interview that he had been unhappy with an earlier cut of Pavements (possibly the film exhibited as Range Life in 2023, or another edit in the period since), saying it was "not ready for public consumption... unless it was a prank". [13]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 100% of 15 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.8/10. [14] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 79 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pavement (band)</span> American indie rock band

Pavement is an American indie rock band that formed in Stockton, California, in 1989. For most of their career, the group consisted of Stephen Malkmus, Scott Kannberg, Mark Ibold (bass), Steve West (drums), and Bob Nastanovich. Initially conceived as a recording project, the band at first avoided press or live performances, while attracting considerable underground attention with their early releases. Gradually evolving into a more polished band, Pavement recorded five full-length albums and ten EPs over the course of their decade-long career, though they disbanded with some acrimony in 1999 as the members moved on to other projects. In 2010, they undertook a well-received reunion tour, followed by another international tour from 2022 to 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silver Jews</span> American indie rock band

Silver Jews were an American indie rock band from New York City, formed in 1989 by David Berman alongside Pavement members Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich. Berman was the only constant band member. During the last few albums, Cassie Berman became a regular member of the band. They disbanded in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Malkmus</span> American musician (born 1966)

Stephen Joseph Malkmus is an American musician best known as the primary songwriter, lead singer and guitarist of the indie rock band Pavement. He performs with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Pavement, The Hard Quartet, and as a solo artist.

<i>Slanted and Enchanted</i> 1992 studio album by Pavement

Slanted and Enchanted is the debut studio album by American indie rock band Pavement, released on April 20, 1992 by Matador Records. It is the only Pavement album to feature drummer Gary Young.

<i>Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain</i> 1994 studio album by Pavement

Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain is the second studio album by American indie rock band Pavement, released on February 14, 1994 by Matador Records. The album saw the band move on towards a more accessible rock sound than that of their more lo-fi debut Slanted and Enchanted and achieve moderate success with the single "Cut Your Hair". The album also saw original drummer Gary Young replaced by Steve West. It was a UK Top 20 hit upon release, although it was not so successful in the US charts.

<i>Wowee Zowee</i> 1995 studio album by Pavement

Wowee Zowee is the third studio album by American indie rock band Pavement, released on April 11, 1995 by Matador Records. Most of it was recorded at Easley Recording in Memphis, Tennessee, where some members of the band had previously worked on Silver Jews' 1994 album Starlite Walker. The album showcases a more experimental side of the band, marking a return to the clatter and unpredictability of their early recordings after the more accessible sound of their 1994 studio album Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. Its eclectic nature ranges from mellow yet distorted melodies to noise and punk rock, while the lyrics generally explore humorous and cryptic themes. At nearly one hour long, Wowee Zowee is Pavement's longest studio album, filling three sides of a vinyl record. Side four was left blank.

<i>Brighten the Corners</i> 1997 studio album by Pavement

Brighten the Corners is the fourth studio album by American indie rock band Pavement, released on February 11, 1997 by Matador Records. The album received very positive reviews from critics.

<i>Terror Twilight</i> 1999 studio album by Pavement

Terror Twilight is the fifth and final studio album by the American indie rock band Pavement. It was released on June 8, 1999, on Matador Records in the US and Domino Recording Company in the UK.

<i>Slay Tracks: 1933–1969</i> 1989 EP by Pavement

Slay Tracks: 1933–1969 is the debut EP by American indie rock band Pavement. Pavement—at that time, a duo of just its two founding members Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg (guitar)—recorded Slay Tracks with producer and future member Gary Young (drums) during a four-hour session. Pavement self-released the EP as a 7" vinyl record on the band's own record label Treble Kicker in 1989. The music of Slay Tracks was influenced by indie and punk rock bands such as Swell Maps and The Fall, and many of the lyrics were inspired by life in the band's hometown of Stockton, California.

<i>Watery, Domestic</i> 1992 EP by Pavement

Watery, Domestic is the fourth EP by American indie rock band Pavement, released on November 25, 1992 through Matador Records. It is the group's final release to feature drummer Gary Young as a member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cut Your Hair</span> 1994 single by Pavement

"Cut Your Hair" is a song by American rock band Pavement from their second album, Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. It was written by Pavement songwriter and lead singer Stephen Malkmus. The song snidely attacks the importance of image in the music industry. In one verse, Malkmus sarcastically recites a fictitious ad looking for a musician to join a band: "advertising looks and chops a must/ no big hair".

Robert Nastanovich is an American musician and member of the indie rock band Pavement, as well as a former member of Silver Jews, Ectoslavia, Pale Horse Riders, and Misshapen Lodge.

Garrit Allan Robertson Young was an American musician and music producer. He was best known as the original drummer of the indie rock band Pavement from its inception in 1989 until his departure in 1993.

<i>The Natural Bridge</i> 1996 studio album by Silver Jews

The Natural Bridge is the second studio album by American indie rock band the Silver Jews. Released in 1996 as an LP and CD on Drag City (DC101) in America and Domino (WIG28) in Europe, The Natural Bridge was engineered and mixed by Michael Deming and Thom Monahan and features cover art by Mike Flood. Featured musicians include: David Berman; Matt Hunter; Rian Murphy; Peyton Pinkerton; and Michael Deming.

<i>Major Leagues</i> (EP) 1999 EP by Pavement

Major Leagues is the final EP by American indie rock band Pavement. It was released on October 12, 1999, on Matador Records. To date, it is their final release of original material excluding reissues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pavement discography</span>

The discography of Pavement, a Stockton, California-based indie rock group, consists of five studio albums, five double-length reissues of the albums, one compilation, ten extended plays, and thirteen singles. This list does not include material performed by members or former members of Pavement that was recorded with Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Silver Jews, Preston School of Industry, Free Kitten, The Crust Brothers, or any other associated solo or side projects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Ross Perry</span> American filmmaker and actor

Alex Ross Perry is an American filmmaker and actor. Prolific in independent film, he is best known for writing and directing Listen Up Philip (2014) and Her Smell (2018).

Stephen West is an American musician. From 1993 to 1999 he was the drummer for the indie rock band Pavement appearing on four of their studio albums. He has also become active as an artist in Rockbridge County, Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summer Babe</span> Single by Pavement

Summer Babe, also known as Summer Babe (Winter Version), is the debut single by the American indie rock band Pavement.

"Harness Your Hopes" is a song by American rock band Pavement. It was originally recorded for the band's fourth studio album Brighten The Corners, but was ultimately left off the final record by Stephen Malkmus. It later appeared on the CD version of the "Spit on a Stranger" EP in 1999, and on the 2008 expanded reissue of Brighten The Corners, the Nicene Creedence Edition.

References

  1. ↑ "Bienniale Cinema 2024 — Pavements". Biennale Cinema 2024 . Venice Biennial. September 4, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  2. ↑ Saito, Stephen (September 4, 2024). "'Pavements' Review: Alex Ross Perry Plays With Passion in a Genre-Defying Ode to '90s Band Known for Disaffection". Variety . Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  3. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (July 23, 2024). "Venice Film Festival Lineup Announced – Updating Live". Deadline. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  4. ↑ Seidlitz, Hannah (December 19, 2022). "The World's Most Important Musical About The World's Most Important Band". The New Yorker . Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  5. ↑ "The Pavement Musical 'Slanted! Enchanted!' Is Totally Insane and It Should Run Forever". rollingstone.com. December 3, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Pavement Unveils Museum Exhibit With 'Imagery, Artwork and Ephemera' From Band's Career". variety.com. September 26, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Pavement Musical From Alex Ross Perry Coming to New York Next Month". pitchfork.com. November 16, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  8. ↑ "'Slanted! Enchanted! A Pavement Musical' coming to off Broadway in December". brooklynvegan.com. November 16, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Pavement announce new musical 'Slanted! Enchanted!', premiering next month". nme.com. November 22, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  10. ↑ "RANGE LIFE: A PAVEMENT STORY". Nitehawk Cinema . September 14, 2023.
  11. ↑ Jones, Nate (September 4, 2024). "All Your Questions About Alex Ross Perry's Pavement Movie, Answered". Vulture . Vox Media. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  12. ↑ Hicks, Luke (September 5, 2024). "Venice Film Festival: Pavements – first-look review". Little White Lies: Truth and Movies. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  13. ↑ Hagan, Joe (October 4, 2024). "Stephen Malkmus on Super Groups, Pseudo Documentaries, and Geriatric Guitar Gods". Vanity Fair . Condé Nast. Retrieved November 3, 2024. I thought it was, like, not ready for public consumption. I understand you were upset by it. Yeah, they had to re-edit it or whatever. Unless it was a prank. Or maybe it was intentionally bad. It's that kind of movie. I'm not even sure. It was all too bloated. And stuff that shouldn't—but that's not in it now, so that's good. Were you pissed off? No, I was just embarrassed. It's not that I wasn't completely surprised also. I think it was just like a prank. Or it was not the real film. It was just like a digital dump. What he showed, the guy showed, I thought it was pretty weird.
  14. ↑ "Pavements". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Pavements". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  1. ↑ actually a vending machine manufacturer, and likely a spoof of Paramount Vantage
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