71SSIFF - 22/30 September 2023
Languages
Official
Sponsor
Media
Partner

Stop Making Sense

Jonathan Demme
USA
Not in competition
Synopsis

Stop Making Sense is a chronicle of the climate reached in the last tour of the group Talking Heads. The film has been made in close collaboration between the group's leader David Byrne, director Jonathan Demme, and cinematic expert Jordan Cronenweth. Demme has created a multimedia extravaganza out of each of the musical tracks, from "Once in a Lifetime" to "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)."

Three members of the group (Byrne, drummer Chris Frantz and bassist Tima Weymouth) met as a student at the Rhode Island School of Design, and guitarist Jerry Harrison hails from the Harvard School of Architecture. the group maintains a constant interest in the world of Art, Theater and Design, to create the visual aspects of their performances. His music is part of contemporary American pop currents, ranging from "techno" to the so-called "new music" of New York. Stop Making Sense was shot at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood, and is the first musical film where digital technology has been used live and on recording. Six cameras have been used, including the Panaglide. A video system could follow the footage live, so Demme, Cronenweth, and visual consultant Sandy McCleod could monitor the entire footage. The film is viewed in 35mm Dolby Stereo.

Director
Jonathan Demme (USA)
Screenplay
Jonathan Demme
Production
Talking Heads Films
Gary Goetzman
Photography
Jordan Cronenweth
Edition
Lisa Day
Music
Talking Heads
Cast
Talking Heads
Running Time
88 m.
Country
USA
Official Sponsor
Media Partner
Official Collaborators:
Associated Institutions: