Exploits rare, legendary Elvis recordings for upcoming movie by Luhrmann
In a fascinating exploration of the life and career of music legend Elvis Presley, director Baz Luhrmann has crafted a unique cinematic experience that blends concert footage and documentary-style storytelling. Titled "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert," the film has been met with acclaim following its debut in Toronto.
Luhrmann, known for his meticulous attention to detail, expressed his admiration for Presley, stating that as he delves deeper into the King of Rock 'n' Roll's life, he discovers just how unique Presley truly was. The filmmaker jokingly hinted that even after seven years of research, he might not be done with Presley, suggesting that there could potentially be enough footage for a sequel.
The film is narrated entirely by Presley himself, using a range of interviews, press conferences, and a 50-minute audio-only interview he recorded while on tour that has never been released before. This archival material was discovered and included by Luhrmann's production team for the concert film.
"EPiC" takes viewers backstage during Presley's performances, showing him bantering and flirting with rehearsal session singers. The film also features Presley covering songs by bands that had supposedly supplanted him, such as the Beatles' "Yesterday" and "Something."
The footage for "EPiC" was found in Presley's Graceland family archive and in salt mines in Kansas. Much of the footage they tracked down had no accompanying sound, necessitating the use of lip-readers to match up film with disparate audio from various sources.
Luhrmann collaborated with Peter Jackson to expensively restore the negatives, ensuring the best possible quality for the film. The result is a captivating portrayal of Presley that offers a fresh perspective on his late-career performances.
The film makes the case that Elvis Presley was still at the peak of his performing powers in his late career, performing well over 1,000 shows in his final eight years. "EPiC" does not yet have a distributor or release date, but it received a standing-ovation reception in Toronto, which Luhrmann and producers hope will lead to distribution and a release.
In describing his latest effort, Luhrmann recognised its use of artistic license, calling it a "cinematic poem." This innovative approach to biographical filmmaking promises to offer audiences a compelling and immersive experience.
