The bill hicks story is a 2009 biographical documentary film on the life of. Using an animated photo collage that recalls the kid stays in the picture, codirectors matt harlock and paul thomas have assembled a legion of family, friends, and fellow performers to wax rhapsodic about hicks s turbulent life and times, ranging from his early success as a teenage performer, his struggles with drugs and alcohol, periodic. Photoanimated feature documentary, uniquely narrated by the. Bill hicks is a hero comedian, fighter for truth and for alternative thinking. May 12, 2010 15 106min when bill hicks died of pancreatic cancer in february 1994, he left a void which the american standup world has found impossible to fill. The filmmakers used a cutandpaste animation technique to add movement to a large collection of still pictures used to document events in hicks. Matt harlock, half of the team behind new documentary american. The bill hicks story animated documentary about the rollercoaster life of legendary comedian bill hicks, whose profound and hilarious observations on american life changed the face of. The bill hicks story is more than just a series of great standup moments from bill, though it contains plenty of those. Photoanimated documentary on the life of comedians comedian bill hicks. I approached this film half expecting a cashin, as bill hicks legacy seems to have become a. Bill hicks certainly came close as portrayed in matt harlocks and paul thomas american. It isnt surprising that codirectors matt harlock and paul thomas are having a hard time finding a u.
The film successfully charts the course he took to become the. The bill hicks story, tell shehani fernando how they assembled interviews, archive photographs and landscape pictures in a threedimensional. Featuring highlights of some of his greatest performances, it serves as a fantastic introduction to bill hicks for those whove yet to discover him, while offering dedicated fans a deeper insight into the man and his life. May 11, 2010 matt harlock and paul thomas, directors of american. Rentals include 30 days to start watching this video and 48 hours to finish once started. The bill hicks story, tell shehani fernando how they assembled interviews, archive photographs and landscape pictures in a three. That wasnt enough posthumous validation, however, so the new documentary american. A culture hero of the modern, open and liberal america.
For codirectorproducer paul thomas, the interest was much more professional. Saw the documentary on bill hicks last night, american. Since his tragic death from cancer at age 32, comedian bill hickss legend and stature have only grown, and this unique documentary tells his story, blending live footage, interviews and animation to fill in the. The bill hicks story, a photoanimated feature length documentary vibrantly narrated by the 10 people who knew the legendary comic the best. Codirectors matt harlock and paul thomas present their emerging visions american. American by matt harlock overdrive rakuten overdrive. Since his tragic death from cancer at age 32, comedian bill hicks s legend and stature have only grown, and this unique documentary tells his story, blending live footage, interviews and animation to fill in the details of a life cut short. Apr 20, 2011 we caught up with paul thomas and matt harlock as american.
Legendary texan outlaw comic bill hicks was and still is an inspiration to millions. The bill hicks story brings to life the amazing true story of one of modern cultures most iconic figures. The bill hicks story, explained, i was one of the guys who was at university in the uk in the late eighties, early nineties. Mar 04, 2016 this groundbreaking documentary uses a stunning new animation technique to tell the story of the modern cultural icon bill hicks. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Jan 25, 2002 lenny bruce, richard pryor, andy kaufman add bill hicks to that list of brilliant, fearless comics. Pdf american the bill hicks story by matt harlock download. Bill hicks used to be considered merely one of the greatest standup comics in the world. I know that having read the book, seen the sane man and other bill hicks dvd and that. Just emerging from underground cult status when he died at age thirty. The film successfully charts the course he took to become. William melvin hicks december 16, 1961 february 26, 1994 was an american standup comedian, social critic, satirist and musician. Apr, 2011 bill hicks is a hero comedian, fighter for truth and for alternative thinking. In this unseen footage, david talks about how bill inspired his friends.
Weve just passed the seventeenth anniversary of the death of bill hicks, and in memoriam id like to present the trailer for american. Portions of content provided by tivo corporation 2020 tivo corporation whats new. Filmmaker matt harlock and paul thomas chronicle the life, art, and philosophy of a singular performer with the documentary american. The bill hicks story while pushing documentary storytelling in a new direction much more than a. Featuring highlights of some of his greatest performances, it serves as a fantastic introduction to bill hicks for those whove yet to discover him, while offering dedicated fans a deeper insight into the man. A true product of the american dream, his rebellious and exhilarating comedy left no stone unturned and his. A comics comic and unflagging critic of hypocrisy and cultural emptiness, hicks was one of a kind, a lenny bruce for the late 20th century, and few are. The son of southern baptists, this comedy preacher succumbed to his addictions at the age of 32, leaving behind a trail of questions in his wake. Kindle ebooks can be read on any device with the free kindle app. A documentary film by matt harlock and paul thomas. With bill hicks, dwight slade, mary hicks, steve hicks. The bill hicks story, and was so pleased to see a feature length film dedicated to telling the story of his genius and of his career starting out at age 16. The bill hicks story unfolds his life and work, in a. The bill hicks story essentially posits hicks as a comedy messiah who died for our sins and will.
Bill hicks american the bill hicks story official trailer. Given the fact bill hicks was much more celebrated in the uk than he was at home, it is perhaps fitting that its british filmmakers matt harlock and paul thomas who step up to pay him his dues. Lenny bruce, richard pryor, andy kaufman add bill hicks to that list of brilliant, fearless comics. A documentary film by matt harlock and paul thomas seventeen years after his death, bill hicks has taken a permanent place in the cultural landscape and is widely recognized as one of the greatest. We caught up with paul thomas and matt harlock as american. There were 14 other movies released on the same date, including soul surfer, your highness and hanna. Photoanimated feature documentary, uniquely narrated by the 10 people who knew bill best. Apr 27, 2016 matt harlock, half of the team behind new documentary american. I very selfishly took up a nice chunk of time with directors matt harlock and paul thomas, who were at lff for the premiere of their much anticipated documentary, american. Just emerging from underground cult status when he died at age thirtytwo, bill hicks spent. Paul thomas and matt harlocks documentary looks at the life of the comedian bill hicks. Jan 01, 2009 bill hicks certainly came close as portrayed in matt harlocks and paul thomas american.
Matt harlock, paul thomas photoanimated feature documentary, uniquely narrated by the 10 people who knew bill best. The bill hicks story, about the legendary rebel comic. Described as many things philosopher, social satirist, even preacher. Featuring interviews with hicks closest friends and family members, the film uses digital animation to bring his standup routines to life and create a visual compliment to his comedic vision. David johndrow, as featured in the new documentary american the bill hicks story. Russell crowe announced in 2012 that he would direct a bill hicks biopic. Matt harlock and paul thomas, directors of american. The bill hicks story is a 2009 biographical documentary film on the life of comedian bill hicks. The film was produced by matt harlock and paul thomas, and features archival footage and interviews. The bill hicks story, explained, i was one of the guys who was at university in the uk in the late eighties, early nineties, who was handed a sweaty and muchcoveted bootleg of hicks work.
Bill hicks, comedy, comedian, spoken word, tool, hamell on trial audio collage, montage and music from the best standup comedian of all time william melvin bill hicks born on december. The bill hicks story, the georgiaborn standup comedian was an alcoholic and drug abuser for a. Watch these pituitary retards bang their fucking skulls together and congratulate you on living in the land of freedom. His timeless comedy tackled the contradictions of america and modern life head on. The bill hicks story is a biographical documentary film on the life of comedian bill hicks.
A documentary film by matt harlock and paul thomas seventeen years after his death, bill hicks has taken a permanent place in the cultural landscape and is widely recognized as one of the greatest american comedians of the modern era. The film was produced by matt harlock and paul thomas, and features archival footage and interviews with family and friends, including kevin booth the filmmakers used a cutandpaste animation technique to add movement to a large collection of still pictures used to document events in. The bill hicks story was released in 2011 on friday, april 8, 2011 in 1 theater. The bill hicks story animated documentary about the rollercoaster life of legendary comedian bill hicks, whose profound and hilarious observations on american life changed. A documentary film by matt harlock and paul thomas american. The film was produced by matt harlock and paul thomas, and features archival footage and interviews with family and friends, including kevin booth. Director matt harlock, paul thomas starring bill hicks, kevin booth, john farneti.
The bill hicks story, the georgiaborn standup comedian was an alcoholic and drug abuser. A worthy tribute to the late, great comedian and iconoclast bill hicks. Book depository books with free delivery worldwide. Its called american and, naturally enough, it was made by two brits, paul thomas and matt harlock.
Bill hicks was and still is an inspiration to millions. Oct 18, 2014 legendary texan outlaw comic bill hicks was and still is an inspiration to millions. However, in america, where he challenged institutions and. Apr 08, 2011 filmmaker matt harlock and paul thomas chronicle the life, art, and philosophy of a singular performer with the documentary american. The bill hicks story, based on interviews with his family and friends, premiered on march 12, 2010, at the south by southwest film festival in austin, texas. Just emerging from underground cult status when he died at age thirtytwo, bill hicks spent most of his life making audiences roar and censors cringe with biting social satire about everything from former president george bush to rock stars who hawk diet coke. The bill hicks story 2010 starring kevin booth and john farneti on dvd and bluray. American the bill hicks story dvd matt harlock director, paul thomas director rated. The bill hicks story currently has no screenings search for. The bill hicks story a look at the life of one of the worlds greatest comedians and thinkers, as told by the family and friends who truly knew him. After his death in 1994 at age 32, he became a comedy martyr.
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