The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
Film

‘Janis: Little Girl Blue’ Premieres At DOC NYC

by Nishat Baig November 18, 2015
by Nishat Baig November 18, 2015 0 comments
2.7K

Amy Berg succeeds in showing a side of Janis Joplin that the world has never seen before  with her biographical documentary “Janis: Little Girl Blue.”

Directed by Amy Berg, “Janis: Little Girl Blue” documents the bittersweet success of Rock ‘n’ Roll legend Janis Joplin. With access to Janis’s estate, help from Janis’s siblings and letters Janis wrote to her family throughout her rise to fame, “Janis: Little Girl Blue” paints a telling picture of the vulnerable side of the icon. Another key figure in Janis’s life, who often goes unnoticed is Janis’s last boyfriend, a.k.a. the love of her life, David Niehaus, who sheds light on Amy’s drug abuse towards her overdose. Publicly known for her tough exterior and painfully poignant music, Janis takes new form through the voice of Cat Power who narrates Janis’s intimate letters. The documentary shows Janis’s progression from Port Arthur outcast to San Fran beatnik to Woodstock rock star. The SVA theater held a special screening of “Janis: Little Girl Blue” last Sunday for DOC NYC with guests from the movie in attendance including Clive Davis, Dick Cavett, Marky Ramone, Ron Clairborne and “Girls” star Jemima Kirke. We hit the red carpet and were able to chat with director Amy Berg, Clive Davis and Dick Cavett about their experiences with the legend and their role in bringing the story together.

Did you look to Janis’s biographies when you were creating the film?

Amy Berg: All of them, I mean I read some of them as a teenager and read “Buried Alive” when I was 18.

How do you relate to Janis?

Amy Berg:  In so many different ways, she’s a woman trying to fight for her place, even though I was just saying there’s so many females in the community (documentarians), we still are in kind of a man’s world in the film business and you’re constantly fighting for any presence and I think that Janis paved the path for us in that way because she was fighting in 1965 and she’s like the first woman of rock and she was setting some new roles for us for women.

What was your favorite part about the process?

Amy Berg: Everything. Just editing was so fun. I would love to just stay in that bubble and just find different ways to tell that story that for sure was the best part for me.

What’s your favorite Janis song?

Amy Berg: It depends on the day. I love all of her music, but you play things so many times at the end of it that you burn out on one thing and move on to another thing. “Summertime” was a big one for me, but right now I would say I’m interested in the energy behind “Move Over” that just felt like a really aggressive angry song and I like the way it plays in the film.

Speaking of interviews, Janis debuted on national television on your show, can you talk about the experience of interviewing her?

Dick Cavett: It was great fun because she was up for it and liked being there and apparently she liked me and she was smart as hell probably the smartest graduate from that high school she was gonna go back and destroy by going to her reunion and she was a delight. I think she was on 4 or 5 times and every time was good.

What’s your favorite Janis song?

Dick Cavett: “Down On Me” because I thought it was a dirty title and we were at Elaine’s and someone saw her come in and put that song on and she told me the title and I said ‘can you do that on television?’ and she said ‘it’s a gospel’

Can you describe the first time you saw Janis perform at the Monterey Pop Festival?

Clive Davis: it was hypnotic and changed the rest of my life. It was chilling and memorable in every way and to relive such a wonderful performance has been enormously emotional.

What’s your favorite Janis song?

Clive Davis: I would say I have a few favorite songs; My first favorite song is “Piece of My Heart.” It was a favorite when I first heard it in person. I had a part of editing that song from the album version to the single version which ignited Big Brother and the Holding Company’s career and of course my memory is still very vivid of listening on the telephone to Janis the week she died of her playing for me “Me & Bobby McGee” and I had been involved business wise with Kris Kristofferson and his publishing company so I was familiar with the song before I heard Janis sing, but to hear how she did it and how she loved it is very present with me to this day.

After the screening there was a brief Q & A with Amy Berg, Dick Cavett and David Niehaus. Cavett still played coy when asked if he was romantically involved with Janis and mentioned how he was shocked when she responded “who would care?” when he brought up her heroin use. He and Amy discussed her disappointment when she returned Port Arthur for her 10th annual high school reunion. They also discussed the similarities between Janis and Judy Garland and how their presence and control on stage drastically contrasted their lives post-performance. Amy Berg also mentioned that part of what inspired her to tell Janis’s story were the love letters between Janis and the potential of saving Janis’ life had she seen the telegram from Niehaus the day she overdosed. David also spoke about how she was simultaneously vulnerable and strong and made a group of Hell’s Angels clean their house and buy their groceries one night when they were robbing Janis and David. The Q & A shed helped lighten the mood as well better understand the depth of Janis’s impact.

Following the screening and Q+A, guests headed downtown to Electric Lady Studios for a rooftop party by Piccolo Café.

The film opens in New York on November 27th, 2015

 

clive davisJanis Joplin
0 comments 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Nishat Baig

previous post
Theater Review: ‘Men are From Mars, Women are from Venus Live!’
next post
Keith Urban Premieres New Guitar Collection

Related Posts

Techno and Tragedy in Oliver Laxe’s Sirat

October 21, 2025

Jada George on Building a Dystopian World That...

October 17, 2025

The Fence review – The Emotional Borderlines of...

October 16, 2025

We Discuss the Film ‘No Other Choice’ with...

October 16, 2025

Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice is Dark, Gripping,...

October 16, 2025

Devil in Disguise: Peacock’s John Wayne Gacy Story...

October 16, 2025

ROOFMAN: Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst Retell the...

October 14, 2025

A House of Dynamite Screening Recap: Kathryn Bigelow’s...

October 14, 2025

From Festival to Streaming: Catherine Argyrople’s Growing Pains...

October 13, 2025

‘Father Mother Sister Brother’ Film Premiere at the...

October 13, 2025

Digital Cover No. 19

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

theknockturnal

Lifestyle. Music. Entertainment.
Info@theknockturnal.com
New Cover Out Now ⬇️

Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company, where office life meets absurd comedy. 🪑 
Stream it now on @HBO. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/la-premiere-hbos-the-chair-company/

✍️: Katherine Wright
-
#TheChairCompany #HBO #HBOOriginal #HBOShow #BingeWorthy #MustWatch #StreamingNow
@justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The @justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The Leag, one of LA’s most talked-about underground sports events. With celebrities, athletes, and creators filling the sidelines, the night captured the energy of competition and culture colliding under the lights. 🏀

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/justin-bieber-leads-skylrk-to-victory-at-las-underground-sports-phenomenon-the-league/

✍️: Parris Rose

-
#JustinBieber #SKYLRK #TheLeag #LosAngeles #SportsCulture #Basketball #UndergroundSports
@nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about t @nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about their journey as six members, a long, inspiring adventure that’s led them to a major milestone: their first-ever full-length album, Blue Valentine. 💙

The project dives deep into the complexity of human emotions, wrapped in NMIXX’s signature MIXX-pop sound. 🎶

“The story of NMIXX is still unfolding.” 

Full Article 🔗 https://theknockturnal.com/nmixx-blue-valentine/

By @EmmaSalehi 

#NMIXX #BlueValentine #NMIXXBlueValentine #MIXXPOP #NMIXXComeback #KpopInterview #TheKnockturnal #Kpop #KpopNews #KpopGirlGroup #NMIXX_BlueValentine #HAEWON #LILY #BAE #JIWOO #KYUJIN #SULLYOON #엔믹스
Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of @beetlejuicebway? Now you can! From now until Halloween, @tempotimessquare hosting an unforgettable Beetlejuice Suite experience where every corner is bursting with spooky charm, strange surprises, and a whole lot of Netherworld flair. 💀✨ 

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a little strange and unusual, this is your chance to step into the world of the ghost with the most. 👻 #BeetlejuiceBroadway #TempoTimesSquare #BeetlejuiceSuite
#ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when y #ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when you least expect it — and flinch when you do. 👀💥

Full review out now.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/park-chan-wooks-no-other-choice-is-dark-gripping-and-bitingly-funny/

✍️: Ishan Wankavala 

-
#NoOtherChoice #KoreanCinema #Cinephile #FilmReview #NewRelease #MustWatch
📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining 📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining boundaries with each track, image, and evolution. Dive into our exclusive to uncover the artistry behind the name. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/woodz/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#Woodz #Kpop #ArtistSpotlight #Editorial
EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to elect EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to electrifying new heights, bringing “I WANT IT” to life with unmatched energy, confidence, and flair. Every beat, every move, every note is a reminder that STAYC don’t just perform—they command the stage. 🌈💥

From their glowing visuals to powerhouse vocals, @stayc_highup deliver a night that’s equal parts spectacle and soul.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/stayc/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#STAYC #StayTunedTour #IWANTIT #STAYCgirls #STAYChighup #Kpop #ConcertHighlights #ExclusiveFeature
Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new film, exploring its unique darkness. 🌟

#ParkChanWook #NoOtherChoice #TheAx #KoreanFilm #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook tea Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook teases his probable upcoming project Genocidal Organ! 

#ParkChanWook #GenocidalOrgan #NYFF #NYFF26
Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in his latest film @nootherchoicefilm. 🖤🎬

#LeeByungHun #NoOtherChoice #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun refl Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun reflects on 20 years of film, from South Korea to Hollywood! 

#LeeByungHun #Hollywood #KoreanCinema #Film #NoOtherChoice #NYFF26 #NYFF
Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what it means to move forward together in their latest comeback. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/cix/

✍️: Emma Salehi

Photo Credits: C9 Entertainment 
-
#CIX #GOChapter1 #GOTogether #TheKnockturnal #KpopInterview #KpopNews #CIXComeback #CIX2025 #KpopFeature #CIXFans
It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North Ameri It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North America on their ‘Stay Tuned’ tour! 💖

Watch their energetic and fun filled show near you 👀🌟

#stayc #kpop #kpopconcert #iwantit #staycstaytuned #staytuned
Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷 We had the most a Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷

We had the most amazing day of inspiring panels, activations and networking at @femalefounderworld, with @eyebuydirect! 👓
Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joa Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joachim Trier for their sixth cinematic journey, co-writing Sentimental Value, a poignant exploration of family, memory, and reconciliation. 

-
#Screenwriting #Storytelling #WritingForFilm #FilmWriting #NYFF2025 #NewYorkFilmFestival #IndieFilm
At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to l At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to life in Sentimental Value, portraying a character whose journey through family complexities and personal discovery resonates deeply. 

-
#RenateReinsve #NYFF #SentimentalValue #NoraBorg #FilmFestival #Actress
@nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as @nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as a director, bringing his story to life with precision, collaboration, and attention to every frame. 

The film reflects his dedication to emotion, storytelling, and cinematic craft. 🎥

-
#JoachimTrimmer #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Director #Filmmaking
We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the emotional process behind her latest film. ✨

-
#IngaIbsdotterLilleaas #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Cinema
Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ellefanning in conversation at this year’s @thenyff.

-
#ElleFanning #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #RedCarpet #Cinema
✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performa ✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performances, the 2025 #TeenVogueSummit brought together voices shaping fashion, culture, and activism today. 💬🎶

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/2025-teen-vogue-summit-recap-full-of-fun-fashion-and-connection/

✍️: Zipporah Pruitt

-
#TeenVogue #TeenVogueSummit2025 #TeenVogueEvents
#TeenVogueCommunity #TeenVogueStyle
Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch