An oddly sterile documentary inspired by a particularly fecund imagination, american. The bill hicks story is a serviceable, rather surfacedeep look at the man many considered one of the best comedians of the 20th century. The bill hicks story, tell shehani fernando how they assembled interviews, archive photographs and landscape pictures in. The bill hicks story a groundbreakingly angry american, abroad an inventively animated documentary gets the basics right in its portrait of the late bill hicks, a.
Its called american and, naturally enough, it was made by two brits, paul thomas and matt harlock. Some say that real humor is usually fueled by strong. The bill hicks story while pushing documentary storytelling in a new direction much more than a. If youve never heard of him before in your life, then you need to see this film even more urgently. Harlock and thomas take us through hickss turbulent career. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Bill hicks tells us how he feels about nonsmokers, blowjobs, religion, war and peace, drugs and music.
Apr 08, 2011 filmmaker matt harlock and paul thomas chronicle the life, art, and philosophy of a singular performer with the documentary american. Directors matt harlock and paul thomas have access to hicks family, friends including longtime portland. Check out other translated books in french, spanish languages. The bill hicks story, tell shehani fernando how they assembled interviews, archive photographs and landscape pictures in a threedimensional.
Featuring highlights of some of his greatest performances, it serves as a fantastic introduction to bill hicks for those whove yet to discover him, while offering dedicated fans a deeper insight into the man and his life. Oct 26, 2010 whether you think bill hicks was the greatest comedian america has ever produced or you simply know of him as the mythic standup performer whose act was coopted by denis leary, you will gain a new appreciation of his life and dogged dedication to his work after watching paul thomas and matt harlocks american. The bill hicks story is an excellent documentary which has the hard task of making bill s childhood years interesting, and chartering his long, lonely years on the road. A culture hero of the modern, open and liberal america.
Matt harlock, paul thomas starring bill hicks, dwight slade. Maybe i expected a bit more detail about his early years as a teenage comic or even during his outlaw comic days, but i was left wanting more knowledge all around to fill in some details about where his humor originated. Since his tragic death from cancer at age 32, comedian bill hickss legend and stature have only grown, and this unique documentary tells his story, blending live footage, interviews and animation to fill in the details of a life cut short. Directed by matt harlock and paul thomas, american. Legendary texan outlaw comic bill hicks was and still is an inspiration to millions.
Dec 17, 2011 legendary texan outlaw comic bill hicks was and still is an inspiration to millions. Recorded at the dominion theatre in london, bill hicks opens our eyes and minds to the hypocrisy and ludicrousness of the world around us. But his unique gift was to tease apart the essence of religion, the dangers of unbridled. A treasure trove of archival material and interviews, american. Filmmaker matt harlock and paul thomas chronicle the life, art, and philosophy of a singular performer with the documentary american. Bill hicks is a hero comedian, fighter for truth and for alternative thinking. Just emerging from underground cult status when he died at age thirtytwo, bill hicks spent most of his life making audiences roar and censors cringe with biting social satire about everything from former president george bush to rock stars who hawk diet coke. If you have a way to play pal dvds, then this is manna from heaven for any bill hicks fan. Mar 11, 2010 codirectors matt harlock and paul thomas present their emerging visions american. I know that having read the book, seen the sane man and other bill hicks dvd and. I very selfishly took up a nice chunk of time with directors matt harlock and paul thomas, who were at lff for the premiere of their much anticipated.
Filmmakers matt harlock and paul thomas both british are lucky that hickss family and childhood pals were happy to unburden. A true product of the american dream, his rebellious and exhilarating comedy left no stone unturned and his. The bill hicks story, based on interviews with his family and friends, premiered on march 12, 2010, at the south by southwest film festival in austin, texas. I approached this film half expecting a cashin, as bill hicks legacy seems to have. American navy general library program downloadable books. His latest short film deep clean starring paul kaye and created with krent able, will be showing at frightfest, london short film festival, aesthetica, sf indie fest, celluloid screams. Filmmakers matt harlock and paul thomas both british are lucky that hickss family and childhood pals. American the bill hicks story by matt harlock pdf free. Since his tragic death from cancer at age 32, comedian bill hicks s legend and stature have only grown, and this unique documentary tells his story, blending live footage, interviews and animation to fill in the details of a life cut short. If youre matt harlock and paul thomas, directors of american. Codirectors matt harlock and paul thomas present their emerging visions american. A comics comic and unflagging critic of hypocrisy and cultural emptiness, hicks was one of a kind, a lenny bruce for the late 20th century, and few are. Chronicling an ordinary life, hilarious shtick in american.
In the country which enshrines freedom of speech in its constitution his story is truly about what it means to be an american. Featuring interviews with hicks closest friends and family members, the film uses digital animation to bring his standup routines to life and create a visual complement to his comedic vision. The bill hicks story out of 4 documentary featuring bill hicks. The bill hicks story, a british documentary directed by matt harlock and paul thomas. The bill hicks story brings the tale of one of modern cultures most iconic heroes to the big screen. The bill hicks story is how exactly hicks became so angry, not to mention how much of the. If you already know and love bill hicks, then you need to see this film.
Bill hicks was and still is an inspiration to millions. Early on in matt harlock and paul thomass new 100minute semianimated biopic, hickss sometime colleague and. The bill hicks story is now playing in new york city at cinema village, and at select theatres across the u. Matt harlock and paul thomas, two english filmmakers, have dug up some interesting footage for their unashamedly fawning study of. Much more than a comedian, bill hicks was and still is an inspiration to millions. The bill hicks story has been around for a while, and is only now being released stateside. A brisk look at hicks life from his childhood as a southern baptist near houston to his untimely death at the age of 32 from. May 11, 2010 matt harlock and paul thomas, directors of american. The bill hicks story 2011, written by na, directed by matt harlock, paul thomas, and with bill hicks, dwight slade, kevin booth, john farneti, lynn hicks, mary hicks, steve hicks, andy huggins, david johndrow, james ladmirault. Bill hicks, dwight slade, kevin booth, john farnetti studioruntime. A true product of the american dream, his rebellious and exhilarating comedy left no stone unturned and his profound observations on american life were a life changing experience for many who saw him. Filmmakers matt harlock and paul thomas both british are lucky that hickss family and childhood pals were happy to unburden themselves to camera, and. The bill hicks story, directors matt harlock and paul thomas profile the acerbic comedians fifteen year career and wicked political comedy. After his death in 1994 at age 32, he became a comedy martyr.
Awardwinning director matt harlocks films have premiered at london film festival and sxsw, and have been shown on channel 4, film4, hbo, sky and vice. Directors matt harlock and paul thomas work wonders with the old photos. The graphics are unique and the film is a true testament to the impact bill hicks has had and continues to have as his words ring truer everyday. Roxanne palmer is a journalist, writer, cartoonist, and exfishmonger for. Matt harlock and paul thomas, directors of american. The bill hicks story, a conversation with director. Photoanimated documentary on the life of comedians comedian bill. The bill hicks story, a portrait of the acerbic standup comic who died of. Russell crowe announced in 2012 that he would direct a bill hicks biopic. To be honest, the only thing i knew about bill hicks going into this film was that he was a comedian. Whether you think bill hicks was the greatest comedian america has ever produced or you simply know of him as the mythic standup performer whose act was coopted by denis leary, you will gain a new appreciation of his life and dogged dedication to his work after watching paul thomas and matt harlocks american.
With bill hicks, dwight slade, mary hicks, steve hicks. Bill hicks, the subject of the documentary american. Filmmaker matt harlock talks the late comic legend as innovator of standup rebel humor, and his politics of. The film was produced by matt harlock and paul thomas, and features archival footage and interviews with family and friends, including kevin booth. The story of a son, a brother and a friend, this funny and critically acclaimed film is told in the round by. Kudos to the film makers for this awesome tribute to mr. Jan 25, 2002 i really cherish bill hicks, so when i read this book, i was a little disappointed with the content. Join facebook to connect with matt harlock and others you may know. Director matt harlock, paul thomas starring bill hicks, kevin booth, john farneti. Photoanimated feature documentary, uniquely narrated by the. Early on in matt harlock and paul thomass new 100minute semianimated biopic, hickss sometime colleague and boyhood best friend, dwight slade, makes the claim that. The bill hicks story is an excellent documentary which has the hard task of making bills childhood years. The bill hicks story essentially posits hicks as a comedy messiah who died for our sins and will. American by matt harlock overdrive rakuten overdrive.
Jun 27, 2011 the fact of the matter is that american. Narrated by his mother, brother, and close friends, the documentary delves into hickss life, starting with him as a child in a strict religious home, sneaking out to houston comedy clubs to get a few laughs only to get caught by. Lenny bruce, richard pryor, andy kaufman add bill hicks to that list of brilliant, fearless comics. Bill hicks used to be considered merely one of the greatest standup comics in the world. Apr, 2011 bill hicks is a hero comedian, fighter for truth and for alternative thinking. Celeste ng, ann patchett, min jin lee and others on the books that. That wasnt enough posthumous validation, however, so the new documentary american. Pdf american the bill hicks story by matt harlock download. The bill hicks story, their love of the comedian and what it was like to work with bills family in bringing his story to the screen they also reveal why richard linklater is among the many fans of the movie q. Photoanimated documentary on the life of comedians comedian bill hicks. The bill hicks story is a 2009 biographical documentary film on the life of comedian bill hicks. The bill hicks story is a biographical documentary film on the life of comedian bill hicks.
The bill hicks story is how exactly hicks became so angry, not to mention how much of the anger was an act and how much was genuinely who he was. Matt harlock and paul thomas talk about making the acclaimed documentary american. The award winning true life story of the outlaw comic bill hicks, told by the people who knew him best. The bill hicks story, british filmmakers matt harlock and paul thomas retrace hickss beginnings from. The bill hicks story unfolds his life and work, in a.
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