Standing in the Shadows of Motown

Produktion / Release

Synopsis DE

Their music is famous around the world, though their names are not. Known as the Funk Brothers, they put the backbeat - the soul - into the countless hits of Motown Records for such legendary performers as Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, and many others. Creating music that helped to define the era of the 1960s, providing a soundtrack to the civil rights movement, Vietnam War protests and social upheavals of the time, while also remaining a vital influence to this day, these musicians played on more #1 records than the Beatles, the Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley combined. Based on Allan Slutsky's award-winning book of the same name, Standing in the Shadows Of Motown tells the story of the Funk Brothers by combining exclusive interviews, archival footage, re-enactments, reminiscences, and thrilling new performances by the reunited Funk Brothers. Joining this legendary hit-machine onstage are such incredible contemporary vocalists such as Ben Harper, Joan Osborne, Meshell Ndegeocello and Montell Jordan and R&B greats Chaka Khan, Gerald Levert and Bootsy Collins. Filmed on location in Detroit, Standing In The Shadows Of Motown follows the Funk Brothers as they return to the sites of their heyday - including Studio A at Motown's legendary "Hitsville U.S.A." recording facility. From within those walls came "Heat Wave", "Ain't Too Proud To Beg", "My Guy", "Dancing In The Streets", "Tears Of A Clown", "Stop In The Name Of Love", and literally hundreds of other legendary recordings. The Funk Brothers also return to Detroit's after-hours nightclubs, where they commitment to music was their driving force - both then and now. Their story is one of triumph and tragedy, hits and heartbreak; for their unparalleled contributions to American popular music the Funk Brothers are long overdue their moment to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight. Standing In The Shadows Of Motown is directed by Paul Justman, a veteran helmer of music videos and music-themed documentaries, produced by Justman, Allan Slutsky and Sandy Passman, and executive produced by Paul Elliott and David Scott. Continuing Artisan Entertainment's commitment to bringing the best of documentary films to the widest possible audience (following the success of Buena Vista Social Club and Startup.com), the studio proudly releases the film to theaters this fall.

Cast & Crew