I liked the narration, which bridges some of the gaps that would occur naturally in a doc like this. In fact, I don’t see how the film would work without the narration.

I have paternal grandparents that are 91 and 92 (my grandmother’s birthday was last week and my grandfather hits 93 next month). They’ve been married 67 years now and I was reminded of them watching Young@Heart, two people who refuse to let life be taken away from them by old age. My grandmother has become increasingly morbid as her friends and family members have passed away around her, but neither of them would have much to offer on death itself. In fact, they would both tell you that “the show must go on” when a loved one dies. When you get to that age, death becomes a constant companion as folks around you pass on. I think they quickly learned to accept it and live day to day rather than dwell on it or offer some philosophical response to it.

So my point is, the doc does a great job of honoring the deceased and offering some poignant moments in memory of them, but it doesn’t dwell on it any more than the Young@Heart choir does. That is probably the most fitting way to pay tribute to those that passed on and those that are still here.

Excellent documentary. I definitely enjoyed every minute of it.

I’ve linked to several of the clips of the chorus singing, but I’ve sort of steered clear of linking to Fred Knittle’s show stopping performance because it indirectly spoils a key dramatic moment in the film, in my opinion.

Perhaps I’m being too careful. If you don’t care about spoilers you can see it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u6k-99qcCE

The rock stuff only started much later – in the late 80s in fact . Their first tour to Europe was in 1997 I think, and it was a stunning success. Ironically, though they are quite well known over here (which is how I first encountered them back in October 2005 in London), they were not – until the film came out – known at all in the US.

As for Bob himself, he has hinted at having amazing grandparents – especially a grandmother who managed to be both a radical socialist and a boxing enthusiast! In this respect, we share a common background (not the boxing but the characters!), which is why I was so drawn to the chorus when I first saw them.

Craig has mentioned something via email about an online q and a which I’m very happy to do. If you want to know more about us, check out our webpage at http://www.walkergeorgefilms.co.uk (soon to be updated to a full-on website). You can find out more about the chorus at http://www.youngatheartchorus.com.

Thanks for the comments, to one and all. Directors ignore feedback at their peril! It’s really touching to me, and to the chorus members themselves to see it (many of them, believe it or not, are avid internet users – espcially Fred, who hourly checks the numbers on his Fix You Youtube clip!). The general blog activity on the movie has been amazing. I still pinch myself when I see how the film continues to hold up its per screen averages week by week (number four yesterday, with Iron Man – inevitably – at the summit!). We expand to 168 theaters this weekend, and up to 180 – 200 next weekend. Tell your friends to go!

Best wishes,
Stephen

Also, I just wanted to say, Craig, that I think Stephen Walker’s visit here speaks volumes about LiC’s growing reputation as one of the best movie blogs around. Not that we don’t all already know this. International readers and engaging, never inflammatory discussion, all evenly directed by somebody who’s truly passionate about the best aspects of film. The LiC tagline says it all.

That Mr. Walker found his way here and felt comfortable engaging with moviegoers in a thoughtful discussion of his work is pretty remarkable. If it’s a sign of things to come, we’re all in for a real treat.

Also, some of the joyful expressions on his face, or the sad ones, pretty much told me everything I needed to know about the guy.

Thanks again to Mr. Walker for dropping by. It’s nice to see the pride and enthusiasm you have for your film and I hope everyone reading this grabs a loved one and drags them to the theater to see it.

I’ve found what everybody says very illuminating. The film has had such a terrific response in both reviews and blogs (not to mention audience reaction when Fox Searchlight took us on a gruelling 4-week, 18-city tour in April!) – but the issue of commentary/questions does rear its head from time to time and obviously it’s a substantial concern for some. It’s very distressing for a director because of course you want the experience of watching the film to be perfect! But it’s been helpful seeing reactions in this blog – illuminating a concern which has bugged me and my producer (not to mention my brilliant editor Chris King).

Incidentally, to answer the last question – I too would have loved to get more from Bob Cilman about his past/motivations etc. I must have asked him on at least 20 separate occasions, but he is an intensely private man and I got nothing really solid. It is an obvious flaw in the film, and one we really tried to address, but come see the rushes – it’s just not there!

Thanks again for the lovely comments. It means a great deal. I did lots of q &a’s both at Sundance and on the tour and I loved doing them because you touch base with the very audience you’re trying to reach. This feels the same. So thank you.

Best to all,
Stephen Walker

There were a couple of questions that I would have liked answered that remained unspoken. I felt that the level of reflection about mortality didn’t quite get to the depth that it could have, not quite beyond that “I loved him, but the show must go on” level. I really wanted someone to ask Cilman something along these lines …. what is like to invest in so many people over so many years, when you know eventually they are going to leave you? Not to mention … what does it feel like for you to be getting to that age, and how does that change your perspective on what your singers are accomplishing?

That said, the film is so infectious that those are minor things. It’s a beautiful celebration of life being lived to the very last drop. I’m glad our visitor made a movie about it.

As far as narration. It’s a little jarring at first, compared to other narrations, but I like its bemused personal nature.

The interviews were great, I thought, because they were natural discussions in natural settings. Mr. Walker didn’t sit the interviewees down and mic them up, he just filmed himself talking to them as they were driving, shaving, sitting around, standing outside, etc. That the questions weren’t deeply probing was fine by me – I think their answers were the important part, such as Eileen’s rainbow statement and Joe’s talk of the timing of death.

The narration didn’t bother me at all, but I did find myself occasionally jolted by Mr. Walker’s accent. Still, I would have much rather had his cheerful commentary than just some text on the screen telling us the vitals. This is more of a matter of preference, though. As we all agree, nothing can take away from the power of the music and the film’s subjects.

No matter what anyone says, it’s safe to say you did something right.

Assuming that’s really you (I haven’t confirmed it yet) I’m pleased that you stopped by and took the time to comment.

Congratulations on a wonderful film.

It does irk me though that some people out there think the film sort of made itself and then I came along and mucked it up with my irritating voiceover and inane questions. This was by far the most difficult shoot and edit I have ever had in sixteen years of making docs. It was an astonishingly difficult jigsaw puzzle to fit together out of over 100 hours of footage, not to mention the very real sensitivities within the story itself which we had to reflect as honourably and honestly as we could. For every step forwards we had several backwards.

We actually tested the film without comm at all and it left audiences bewildered and confused. Believe it or not, the comm is actually doing some very key work – helping make sense of the narrative which, oddly enough, is not neraly so clear when left to its own devices. We also triied a deliberately impersonal commentary – which ended up feeling like a news item, cold and over-detached. I felt that my presence was sufficiently in the film anyway – like it or not – simply through my questions, to warrant a slightly more personal commentary. The result is what you see.

It’s very easy to criticize, but what wouldn’t I give for the chance to bring every critic who has harped on about this one aspect of the film into the cuttting room and leave them to get on with it. Ask my wife and daughter – they barely saw me for six months.

But you know what? None of it matters – because the film and the chorus are striking audiences just as I was struck when I spent so much time with them. And that’s worth everything in the end. Because they are the most remarkable and wonderful bunch of people I have ever been privileged to meet.

Stephen Walker
Walker George Films
London

Luckily, the subject kind of transcends the filmmakers.

http://fromthefrontrow.blogspot.com/2008/05/review-young-heart.html

To a point it seems like they’re selling the comic juxtaposition of old people singing modern music, and I have to admit that’s probably what drew me in in the first place. Of course once you see it you realize that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

I don’t really know where the marketing is focused for this, though it definitely seems to be a hit with older crowds. My sense is that the MTV demographic is maybe not quite mature enough to really understand some of the deep significance of it, but maybe I’m not giving them enough credit. I know all teens aren’t as wise as Nick (which would be great), but anybody close to their grandparents will probably find it really moving.

Patience is a virtue, sweetie.

Not that I would know. I have all the patience of an eight year old on a precarious sugar high.

But this is what I hear…

Thanks for linking to my review. I feel tremendously honoured that you’d think it was good enough to even be considered. I appreciate that very much.

Yeah, if anyone reading this reads my blog CINEMATIC PASSIONS (a lot or a little – or even if you DON’T) please seek out Young@Heart when it comes to your city. It’s a very warm, heartfelt experience but it’s not a bit cliched. I think everyone will relate to it.

So far, it’s one of the year’s best. But I’ll likely be saying that at year’s end as well. Everyone else that adored it will most definitely concur.

If it hits your home town, SEE IT. You don’t want to have regrets after the fact, do you?