FRANK, the ‘inspired by real events’ feature by Lenny Abrahamson, had its Sundance Film Festival premiere on Friday, prior to its release later this year. The film, starring Michael Fassbender, is based on journalist Jon Ronson’s experiences with Frank Sidebottom, papier-mâché head included. However, documentary BEING FRANK: THE CHRIS SIEVEY STORY is set to delve much deeper into the reality behind the character.
Chris Sievey was a Manchester performance artist, punk performer and stand-up comic who lived an elaborate double life. His most famous creation was Frank Sidebottom, with his huge papier-mâché head, but this was far more than an eccentric comedy performance. As long as the head was on, Chris transformed totally into Frank and the line between fiction and reality blurred. Very few people got to understand the man behind the mask, and sadly Sievey passed away in June 2010. He did, however, leave behind a fascinating and revealing legacy of artistic work that director Steve Sullivan is determined to preserve and celebrate.
Including interviews with Jon Ronson, John Cooper Clarke, Ross Noble, Mark Radcliffe, Mark Joyce, Gary Whelan, Paul Ryder and Johnny Vegas (alongside clips from friends, family and colleagues), the documentary features never-before-seen footage, access to diaries, notebooks and home movies, all helping to piece together the story behind Chris and Frank, and why he let his alter-ego steal the limelight for 28 years.
Steve Sullivan, the award-winning director behind the film (who also collaborated with Chris on their Frank Sidebottom documentary MAGICAL TIMPERLEY TOUR in 2007) has said:
“This film is about preserving for future generations the memory of Chris Sievey’s extraordinary talent. The likes of his artistic endeavors had never been seen before, and probably never will again”.
The release of the documentary will coincide with the release of FRANK in May 2014. Check back here at THN for more details.
