I was thrilled to learn that the new documentary about the life of Phil Ochs, "Phil Ochs: There but for Fortune" directed by Kenneth Bowser, is now showing all across the country, and has extended play dates.
The younger generations need to know about the true "heroes", the ones left out of our history books... on purpose. And Phil Ochs was truly an American hero.
Cast and credits
Synopsis:
As our country continues to embroil itself in foreign wars and pins its hopes on a new leader's promise for change, Phil Ochs: There But For Fortune is a timely and relevant tribute to an unlikely American hero. Over the course of a meteoric music career that spanned two turbulent decades, Phil Ochs sought the bright lights of fame and social justice in equal measure - a contradiction that eventually tore him apart. From youthful idealism to rage to pessimism, the arch of Ochs' life paralleled that of the times, and the anger, satire and righteous indignation that drove his music also drove him to dark despair. In this brilliantly constructed film, interview and performance footage of Ochs is illuminated by the ruminations of Joan Baez, Tom Hayden, Pete Seeger, Sean Penn, Peter Yarrow, Christopher Hitchens, Ed Sanders, and others.
I've seen the movie twice now.
ReplyDeleteIt is totally awesome.