THN have received an official notice from our friends over at Dogwoof, who’ve acquired the UK distribution rights to MUSCLE SHOALS after it found critical acclaim at Sundance and ahead of its UK premiere at Sundance London this weekend. The film will be screened this Saturday night followed by a performance by Gregg Allman and John Paul White who are working together for the first time.
But what’s the film about? Here’s the official release for your delectation:
Located alongside the Tennessee River, Muscle Shoals, Alabama is the unlikely breeding ground for some of America’s most creative and defiant music. Under the spiritual influence of the “Singing River” as Native Americans called it, the music of Muscle Shoals has helped create some of the most important and resonant songs of all time. At its heart is Rick Hall who founded FAME Studios. He is responsible for creating the “Muscle Shoals sound” and The Swampers, the house band at FAME that eventually left to start their own successful studio, known as Muscle Shoals Sound. Greg Allman, Bono, Clarence Carter, Mick Jagger, Etta James, Alicia Keys, Keith Richards, Percy Sledge, John Paul White and others bear witness to Muscle Shoals’ magnetism, mystery and why it remains influential today. The film is the directorial feature debut of Greg ‘Freddy’ Camalier. Head of Distribution at Dogwoof, Oli Harbottle says:
“Muscle Shoals stood out for me as one of the highlights of Sundance, so we are completely thrilled to add the film to our catalogue. Greg ‘Freddy’ Camalier offers a wonderful insight not just into the magical recording studio of the same name, but also a golden era of music recording, which has produced some of the most timeless songs around.“
Director Greg ‘Freddy’ Camalier adds: “Muscle Shoals is a very special place that has inspired so many iconic British and American musicians. We were blown away by this story which hadn’t been told and which is a seminal part of American music history. Many iconic British musicians have fallen under Muscle Shoals’ spell when recording some of the biggest music of the last 40 years and we are delighted to be able to share their story with British audiences.”
The deal was negotiated by David Koh of Submarine Entertainment on behalf of the filmmakers.
The film will be screening on Thursday 25th April at 5.30pm, Saturday 27th April at 6.00pm and Sunday 28th April at 2.30pm at Sundance London. You can read our full coverage of the festival by clicking here.
