Martin Scorsese to Produce Grateful Dead 50th Anniversary 2015 Documentary, Says Band Is 'Their Own Planet'
Acclaimed film director and producer Martin Scorsese announced he will be part of project to create a Grateful Dead documentary in commemoration of the 50th anniversary since the band's founding.
Scorsese will be the film's executive producer, teaming up with "The Tillman Story" director Amir Bar-Lev, who will direct the unnamed documentary, according to USA Today.
"This monumental documentary will meld a cornucopia of never before seen performance footage, vintage interviews, and other candid moments unearthed from the Grateful Dead's vast vaults along with newly captured conversations with surviving members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir, as well as many other characters and pranksters from the Dead universe," a press release stated.
According to Deadline, other executive producers will be Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Andrew Heller, Sanford Heller, and Rick Yorn. Working as music supervisor will be David Lemieux, the band's archivist.
The documentary will include never-before-seen footage of the band's backstage shenanigans and performances as well as new interviews with the remaining band members: Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir.
"Millions of stories have been told about the Grateful Dead over the years. With our 50th Anniversary coming up, we thought it might just be time to tell one ourselves and Amir is the perfect guy to help us do it. Needless to say, we are humbled to be collaborating with Martin Scorsese. From 'The Last Waltz' to 'George Harrison: Living In The Material World,' from Bob Dylan to the Rolling Stones, he has made some of the greatest music documentaries ever with some of our favorite artists and we are honored to have him involved. The 50th will be another monumental milestone to celebrate with our fans and we cannot wait to share this film with them," the band members said in a statement.
Scorsese, who included the band in his 1978 film "The Last Waltz," praised the band.
"The Grateful Dead were more than just a band. They were their own planet, populated by millions of devoted fans. I'm very happy that this picture is being made and proud to be involved," he said.
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