08 Jul The Doors up for Emmy nomination
July 8, 7:14 PMÂ The Doors Examiner Jim Cherry
The Doors documentary which appeared on PBS’ American Masters this past May has been nominated for an Emmy in the Outstanding Nonfiction Series category.
When You’re Strange is a through their own eyes look at The Doors through its pinnacle years as a rock group. Taking as source material the group’s filmed concerts from “Feast of Friends” and Jim Morrison’s “HWY,” “When You’re Strange” follows the group through the tumultuous years of 1967 through 1971 when lead singer Jim Morrison died under mysterious circumstances in Paris.
“When You’re Strange” faces some tough competition in the Outstanding Nonfiction Series category. Also nominated are: The American Experience, Deadliest Catch, Life, Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut) and Ken Burns’The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.
When You’re Strange uncovers historic and previously unseen footage of the illustrious rock quartet and provides new insight into the revolutionary impact of its music and legacy. Directed by award-winning writer/director Tom DiCillo and narrated by Johnny Depp, the film is a riveting account of the band’s history.
Said Depp, “Watching the hypnotic, hitherto unreleased footage of Jim, John, Ray and Robby, I felt like I experienced it all through their eyes. As a rock n’ roll documentary, or any kind of documentary for that matter, it simply doesn’t get any better than this. What an honor to have been involved. I am as proud of this as anything I have ever done.”
The film reveals an intimate perspective on the creative chemistry between drummer John Densmore, guitarist Robby Krieger, keyboardist Ray Manzarek and singer Jim Morrison – four brilliant artists who made The Doors one of America’s most iconic and influential rock bands. Using footage shot between the band’s 1965 formation and Morrison’s 1971 death, When You’re Strange follows the band from the corridors of UCLA’s film school, where Manzarek and Morrison met, to the stages of sold-out arenas.
The film is produced by Wolf Films/Strange Pictures, in association with Rhino Entertainment, and released by Abramorama. Additional credits for When You’re Strange include producers Dick Wolf, John Beug, Jeff Jampol, and Peter Jankowski. The film is written and directed by Tom DiCillo (“Johnny Suede,” “Living in Oblivion”). Narrated by Johnny Depp.