The Love We Make
Dec 11, 2011
(Albert Maysles, Bradley Kaplan, 2011, USA, Blu-ray, 94 min)
Co-Presented by Seattle Theatre Group
Sponsored by Easy Street Records
Directed by Albert Maysles- the man behind the camera for Grey Gardens, the Beatles' first U.S. visit in 1964, and the Rolling Stones' Gimme Shelter, which captured the infamous Altamont Speedway Free Festival – and Bradley Kaplan, The Love We Make follows Paul McCartney through the streets of New York City in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks as he organizes an all-star benefit concert, The Concert for New York City.
On the morning of September 11, 2001 McCartney was in a plane on the tarmac, about to leave NYC when the attacks occurred. Grounded, he returned to the city and witnessed first-hand the shock and devastation that overtook New York. Directors Maysles and Kaplan capture McCartney rehearsing with his band for the concert, connecting with New Yorkers on the streets, and behind-the-scenes at interviews with Dan Rather, Howard Stern and others.
The film features performances from the concert itself, with unparalleled access backstage to McCartney and such luminaries as David Bowie, Steve Buscemi, Eric Clapton, President Bill Clinton, Sheryl Crow, Leonardo DiCaprio, Harrison Ford, Mick Jagger, Jay Z, Billy Joel, Elton John, Stella McCartney, Governor George Pataki, Keith Richards, James Taylor, Pete Townshend, and many more.
“Extremely moving. A delicate portrait of a man with an extraordinarily youthful energy and enthusiasm for music, people and life. The Maysles set the cinema verité standard with their ability to get close to their subjects simply via canny observation without intrusion. That tradition is honored here above all in the unguarded glimpses of McCartney himself.” — David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter