Gil Reyes is making a documentary about Elliot Smith, “Searching for Elliott Smith,” which will feature interviews with movie director Gus Van Sant, Mary Lou Lord, Steve Hanft/David McConnell (who recorded much of Smith’s last album From A Basement Under The Hill), the director of the mini-documentary “Strange Parallel,” ex-bandmate from Heatmiser Tony Lash and Elliott’s then superfan-turned-girlfriend Jennifer Chiba who was in the house when he decided to “meet” Kurdt. But still I ask… how does one stab yourself in the heart twice, on heroin no less?
Here’s a synopsis of the film:
Elliott Smith’s intensely intimate songs helped popularize lo-fi, indie-rock: A traditionally underground genre until Smith’s mainstream effort “Miss Misery” took Hollywood by surprise. But even after an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song, he managed to fly mostly under the radar. And Smith wanted it that way. After his suicide in 2003, Smith’s peers avoided the media. Granting very few print interviews and NO on-camera interviews. Until now. From his high school days as a National Merit Scholar, to his early work in the Portland rock band, ‘Heatmiser’, to critical acclaim… to his mysterious death at the age of 34. We learn the dark motivations behind a musical genius. And discover how psychic pain can also produce timeless art.
Another movie bout a musician that chooses to kill himself and leave a legacy of art behind, let’s just hope it actually talks about his music! We won’t point out all the people they didn’t interview for this and shoulda, but we will say… HEY, Gus Van Sant if you’re thinking bout doing another shitty movie about this as well please leave out Kim Gordon’s bad acting, and 2 hours of making macaroni and cheese, please. You still owe me 14 bucks from that shitty “Last Days” bullshit!
Watch “Strange Parallel”:
