Tribeca Festival 2021 Review and Interview: Director Nick Moran talks ‘Creation Stories’

CREATION STORIES

Creation Stories tells the unforgettable tale of infamous Creation Records label head Alan McGee; and of how one written-off young Glaswegian upstart rose to irrevocably change the face of British culture.

I was immediately charmed by director Nick Moran after congratulating him on Creation Stories. “Oh, Thank You! I was very concerned about whether it would work with American audiences, ya know because Trainspotting didn’t work as big as it did over here. And ya know, Lock, Stock, (and Two Smoking Barrels) didn’t work as big as it did over here. So I’m like, are they gonna get this sort of Brit Pop-tastic film. And I’m really excited that everyone I’ve spoken to has really, really liked the film.” I assured him that any cinephile in the US knows what those Trainspotting and Lock, Stock are. I was hard-pressed to find a wall in college without one or both of those posters plastered on them. It was a cultural phenomenon in the late 90s. These films opened the minds of countless fans and future filmmakers.

Creation Stories is of a similar ilk. The film’s pace is like a runaway freight train, easily identifying itself as an Irvine Welsh script. In an early scene, young Allen discovers the Sex Pistols. There is joyous, visceral energy to the editing. Moran was the perfect choice for director. After having spoken with him, it all makes even more sense now. This matches Nick’s personal energy. The entire viewing experience of Creation Stories brought me back to when I was in high school and got riled up on the way to live shows or just listening to bands like Oasis. Having to wait in front of the radio for a song to play, that buzzy anticipation isn’t something today’s generation experiences.

Allen McGee was a hustler and a dreamer. But also an addict. His vices were drugs and alcohol, but also risk. His innate ability to take risks on bands changed the face of music. His influence reached beyond the music industry. McGee had his hands in more than the music scene. His stories are so wild you’d almost believe that they were total BS. Ewen Bremner nails this role. He captures Allen McGee‘s dizzying aura. Allen went from a kid excited about music to establishing an inspired empire. Bremner leaves it all on the screen surrounded by a cast of brilliant players like Jason Isaacs, Suki Waterhouse, Leo Flanagan, and many more, including a brief but memorable appearance from Nick Moran as Malcolm McLaren. The way Moran harnesses Welsh and Dean Cavanagh‘s script melds so well with the era. Bringing on Danny Boyle solidified the film version. The drugs, the parties, the hair, and clothing. The entire look of the film has the impression of what I imagine a really great acid trip feels like. It’s a whirlwind. I cannot begin to imagine what was shot and not used! I would not be mad at an eventual director’s cut version.

Let’s talk about the music. The soundtrack is nothing short of a hit. Combining tracks from The Jesus and Mary Chain, David Bowie, Sex Pistols, and yes, Oasis, Moran explains how he chose what would be featured in the film. “It wasn’t much of a learning curve for me, It was more of a case of going through the record collection I’ve already got, brushing the dust off a few of them, and going, ‘Well, what about this?’ ” He perfectly sums up Creation Stories by saying, “If you don’t know that music, then it’s a great discovery!” It’s a celebratory history lesson in a way.

You can watch Creation Stories through Tribeca At Home beginning tonight. Check out the trailer for a taste of what’s to come.

Available Starting

Wed June 16 – 8:00 PM

At Home

$15

Streaming Tribeca at Home is not available outside the USA

Purchased films remain available to stream on-demand from the above date through June 23

 

Following Nationwide Sell-Outs ‘OASIS: SUPERSONIC’ is Now Available on iTunes and On Demand!

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Audiences across the country fell in love with OASIS: SUPERSONIC this past Wednesday night, with numerous sold-out shows and incredible viewer response nationwide. The film is now available on iTunes and On Demand, and it will also be extending its theatrical run in many major markets including NY & LA due to popular demand!

From the Oscar® winning producers of Amy comes this essential and entertaining look at the meteoric rise of the seminal ’90s rock band Oasis.  The film immerses us in the raucous rock stars’ fast-paced world of electrifying music, wild debauchery, and epic fraternal feuding, weaving never-before-seen concert footage with candid interviews and an astonishing firsthand account of the backstage sibling rivalry that threatened to destroy the band.

Make sure to check out Michael’s review of the film here

Review: ‘Oasis: Supersonic’- A look into one of Britain’s greatest rock bands

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From award-winning director Mat Whitecross (Amy), comes an in depth look into one of Britain’s greatest bands, Oasis, in their own words, raw and very much rock ‘n’ roll. The film, featuring never before scene footage of the band in their early years, charts the meteoric rise of Liam and Noel Gallagher, the driving force behind Oasis, whose relationship from the council estates of Manchester to the worlds biggest stage is part of the lore behind what makes this band one of the most talked about and analyzed bands of our lifetimes. Their journey from unknown act to headlining star in just three years is the framework for this exceptional documentary with new interviews with Noel and Liam, as well as, their mother Peggy Gallagher, founder of Creation Records, Alan McGee, and members of the band and road crew; each person providing insight into the formation of the band and how they attempted to control the juggernaut that became Oasis.

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Although the documentary is only a snapshot and not a complete picture of the career of the band, this doesn’t take away from how informative and important this documentary is to fans and music lovers alike. The two hour journey keeps you knee deep into the workings of a band determined to conquer the world and change the landscape of music forever and never takes it foot off the pedal. Noel and Liam, on the surface, are brothers by birth, their relationship has always been volatile and makes for great tabloid fodder, but it’s the music that keeps them connected on a completely different level. This film will give you a glimpse into each brother that is rarely seen in the public eye, it will give you clarity into what makes each brother tick and it will even have you forgive some of their more public outbursts, but most importantly it will have you love this band more than you ever thought possible.

Stars:

4 out of 5

Trailer:

Get your tickets for the one night only event at http://supersonic-movie.com/