For the second time, a Bruce Springsteen film that was initially planned to serve as a bonus feature on an upcoming boxed set will receive a gala premiere at a film festival. Following last month’s Toronto Film Festival premiere (and subsequent HBO broadcast) of “The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town,” the New York-based DOC NYC festival has announced that on November 4 it will present the world premiere of “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” a live performance of Springsteen’s 1978 album recorded last December at the Paramount Theatre in New Jersey.
The performance, which was filmed by director and Springsteen archivist Thom Zimny in the empty theater, will be included as a bonus DVD in the November release of the “Darkness on the Edge of Town” boxed set. One song from the performance appears over the closing credits of “The Promise.”
At a Toronto preview of the “Darkness” box, Springsteen said that the filming took place immediately after the conclusion of the “Working on a Dream” tour, and after he’d spent most of the past two years on the road. When he told his wife (and occasional backup singer) Patti Scialfa that he had “one more thing to do,” he said, she replied, “Fine. But we have people coming over tonight, so be home by seven.”
Springsteen said he and the E Street Band ran through the “Darkness” album twice while cameras rolled, and he was home in time for dinner.
Some of the proceeds from the DOC NYC screening, which takes place at the Ziegfeld Theater, will go to the Danny Fund/Melanoma Research Alliance, a non-profit foundation set up in honor of original E Street Band keyboardist Danny Federici, who died of skin cancer in 2008.
DOC NYC also announced final additions to its slate of 44 programs that will take place during the November 3 through 9 run of the festival. They include the world premiere of “The Road to Carnegie Hall,” a documentary about musicians who auditioned via YouTube for the chance to perform at New York’s celebrated concert venue; “The Medium Formerly Known as Radio: The Evocative Power of Sound,” a selection of audio documentaries curated by Public Radio International host Dean Olsher; and “DOC NYU @ DOC NYC,” a showcase of student work from New York University’s Kanbar Institute of Film & Television.
More information is available at the DOC NYC website.
A list of programs, from the DOC NYC press release:
Special Events:
“Darkness on the Edge of Town”(Thom Zimny) World Premiere
“The Road To Carnegie Hall”(Stephen Higgins) World Premiere
Special screening will be followed by a short live performance by the cellist Joshua Roman.
Orphan Film Symposium on NYC
Curated by Dan Streible. Uncovers forgotten footage of New York City.
“The Medium Formerly Known as Radio: The Evocative Power of Sound”
Dean Olsher curates a selection of dramatic audio documentaries. With special guest Joe Richman of Radio Diaries, who will present his new award winning documentary “Willie McGee and the Traveling Electric Chair.”
“Lost Souls & Light Matter – A Conversation Lena Herzog” Acclaimed photographer Lena Herzog shows slides and previews her latest work “Light Matter” in a live interview.
“DOC NYU @ DOC NYC”
A presentation of accomplished student work from the Kanbar Institute of Film & Television at New York University.
Moments of Truth:
“Moments of Truth”– (promo shorts) Noteworthy figures (actors, politicians, musicians, etc) talk about a documentary moment that moved him or her.
Kevin Brownlow Tribute:
Double feature: “I’m King Kong!: The Exploits of Merian C. Cooper” (2005) and “The Tramp and the Dictator” (2002)
“Cecil B. DeMille: American Epic” (2004)
“It Happened Here” (1966)
“Winstanley” (1975)
“Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces” (2000)
“Garbo” (2005)
Doc Convergence:
This day-long symposium on Fri, November 5 looks at how the documentary tradition is flourishing across different media. Panels and guests include:
“This American Life” – producers from the acclaimed radio show discuss the making of their favorite pieces.
“Story Leads to Action” –Working Films and Chicken & Egg explore how documentary works can engage with communities.
“Photographers Becoming Filmmakers” – The Sundance Documentary Film Program presents a discussion of acclaimed still photographers who are crossing over into motion pictures.
“Documentary Comics” Panel features artists Joe Sacco (Footnotes in Gaza) and Lynda Barry (Picture This).
“Documentary in Performance” Examines innovative theatrical works drawing upon documentary sources.
State of the Art:
Day-long symposium on Saturday, November 6 celebrates different crafts of documentary filmmaking, bringing together directors, cinematographers, editors, producers and archival specialists:
“Art of Directing”
“State of the Archives”
“Art of Cinematography”
“Art of Editing”
“Creative Producing”
Spotlight: Werner Herzog:
In conjunction with DOC NYC’s previously announced Gala presentation of Werner Herzog’s new film "Cave of Forgotten Dreams," the festival will feature a selection of the director’s past documentaries.
“Spotlight In Conversation: Werner Herzog” Live discussion of his career with New York Magazine film critic David Edelstein.
“Land of Silence and Darkness”(1971)
“Wings of Hope”(1999)
“My Best Fiend” (1999)
Spotlight: Errol Morris:
In conjunction with DOC NYC’s previously announced Gala presentation of Errol Morris’ new film "Tabloid" and In Conversation with the director, the festival will feature a selection of his past documentaries.
“Gates of Heaven”(1978)
“The Thin Blue Line”(1988)
“A Brief History of Time”(1992)
“First Person” Three of Morris’ favorite episodes from his “First Person” television series.
Midnight Rock Docs:
“Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: The Motion Picture”(DA Pennebaker, 1973)
“U2 3D”(Catherine Owens, Mark Pellington, 2008)
