Magnolia Pictures and Vice Documentary Films screened their latest rock doc ‘Shot! The Psycho-Spiritual Mantra of Rock’ at Los Angeles’ prestigious Pacific Theaters at The Grove. It was the best music doc I’ve ever seen.
The movie is about the rise and fall of one of music’s most famous photographers, Mick Rock. It features intimate conversations with huge names: David Bowie and Lou Reed have particularly touching and funny sound bites. Spoiler alert: Reed hated punk music.
Rock is the only one talking head in the film, and he’s a warm and very charming narrator. Humor shines through even he’s talking about nearly overdosing in 1996.
The film’s directors weave in dramatized footage of Rock in a stark examination room with tubes sticking out of him – the effect and affect are compelling as hell and help break up the non-stop anecdotes and iconic photographs. Mick really took a shit ton of legendary shots.
This thing is stylish throughout, and the way Mick talks about his addictions and personal demons and obsession with his craft nearly brought me to tears. I can’t recommend this movie enough.
Guests at the screening included Karen O., Kelly Osbourne, Mena Suvari, Shepard Fairey, the film’s director Barnaby Clay and Rock himself.