September 5th: TRUTH OR DARE (Alek Keshishian, 1991)
NOTE: This film will be projected in the high-definition Blu-ray format.
Madonna wrapped up the 1980s as arguably pop culture's biggest figure: four multiplatinum-selling studio albums and an arsenal of hit singles, several movie roles, and a constant presence on MTV with eye-popping innovative and music videos by some of the medium's most creative directors. The beginning of the next decade saw her continuing her reign with a featured role in Warren Beatty's Dick Tracy film and its accompanying soundtrack, her dance floor anthem "Vogue", and the mounting of her Blonde Ambition world tour.
The tour was initially going to be documented for an HBO special, and after David Fincher opted out of the production, Madonna personally sought out the young music video director Alek Keshishian, who had previously worked with Bobby Brown and Elton John. Madonna was impressed enough with the first footage to turn the project into a feature film.
Keshishian was given full access and shot over 250 hours of footage from the tour, beginning during problematic rehearsals before the opening shows in Japan, continuing through North America, and all the way to the final date in Nice, France. The film alternates between in-show concert footage, rehearsals, time spent with her close-knit family of dancers and backup singers, and other intimate moments of Madonna in various cities with friends, relatives, and fellow entertainers.
The elaborate stage show was divided into distinct sections: one inspired by Fritz Lang's science fiction classic Metropolis (also seen in David Fincher's video for "Express Yourself"), another religious-themed segment featuring Catholic iconography mixed with sexual imagery (which had raised controversy during the released of her Like A Prayer album), a third drawing from Dick Tracy's 1930s period nightclub aesthetic, an Art Deco segment, and an encore that contains an homage to the staging and choreography of Bob Fosse.
While much of the film is devoted to music and playful banter between the crew members, the personal problems of both Madonna and her dancers are highlighted, and the production is notable for depicting the homosexuality of her collaborators in a positive, open light, particularly relevant at the height of the AIDS crisis. Artist Keith Haring, died shortly before the beginning of the tour and was one of numerous friends of Madonna's who were afflicted by the disease.
Some of the other celebrities Madonna interacts with during the film include then-lover Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, Antonio Banderas, director Pedro Almodóvar, Olivia Newton-John, Kevin Costner, comedian Sandra Bernhard, Lionel Richie, and Tony Award-winning actor and singer Mandy Patinkin. The film was edited by longtime Spike Lee collaborator Barry Alexander Brown, and Keshishian was not interfered with by Madonna during the post-production process, preferring a "warts and all" depiction of herself.
The film premiered out of competition at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival and was released to positive reviews. It would go on to become the highest-grossing documentary of all time, a position it held for over 10 years.
Running time is approx. 2 hours.
Madonna wrapped up the 1980s as arguably pop culture's biggest figure: four multiplatinum-selling studio albums and an arsenal of hit singles, several movie roles, and a constant presence on MTV with eye-popping innovative and music videos by some of the medium's most creative directors. The beginning of the next decade saw her continuing her reign with a featured role in Warren Beatty's Dick Tracy film and its accompanying soundtrack, her dance floor anthem "Vogue", and the mounting of her Blonde Ambition world tour.
The tour was initially going to be documented for an HBO special, and after David Fincher opted out of the production, Madonna personally sought out the young music video director Alek Keshishian, who had previously worked with Bobby Brown and Elton John. Madonna was impressed enough with the first footage to turn the project into a feature film.
Keshishian was given full access and shot over 250 hours of footage from the tour, beginning during problematic rehearsals before the opening shows in Japan, continuing through North America, and all the way to the final date in Nice, France. The film alternates between in-show concert footage, rehearsals, time spent with her close-knit family of dancers and backup singers, and other intimate moments of Madonna in various cities with friends, relatives, and fellow entertainers.
The elaborate stage show was divided into distinct sections: one inspired by Fritz Lang's science fiction classic Metropolis (also seen in David Fincher's video for "Express Yourself"), another religious-themed segment featuring Catholic iconography mixed with sexual imagery (which had raised controversy during the released of her Like A Prayer album), a third drawing from Dick Tracy's 1930s period nightclub aesthetic, an Art Deco segment, and an encore that contains an homage to the staging and choreography of Bob Fosse.
While much of the film is devoted to music and playful banter between the crew members, the personal problems of both Madonna and her dancers are highlighted, and the production is notable for depicting the homosexuality of her collaborators in a positive, open light, particularly relevant at the height of the AIDS crisis. Artist Keith Haring, died shortly before the beginning of the tour and was one of numerous friends of Madonna's who were afflicted by the disease.
Some of the other celebrities Madonna interacts with during the film include then-lover Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, Antonio Banderas, director Pedro Almodóvar, Olivia Newton-John, Kevin Costner, comedian Sandra Bernhard, Lionel Richie, and Tony Award-winning actor and singer Mandy Patinkin. The film was edited by longtime Spike Lee collaborator Barry Alexander Brown, and Keshishian was not interfered with by Madonna during the post-production process, preferring a "warts and all" depiction of herself.
The film premiered out of competition at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival and was released to positive reviews. It would go on to become the highest-grossing documentary of all time, a position it held for over 10 years.
Running time is approx. 2 hours.
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