The bill hicks story, directed by matt harlock, paul thomas and starring bill hicks, dwight slade, and kevin booth. I approached this film half expecting a cashin, as bill hicks legacy seems to have become a lucrative. The bill hicks story, a photoanimated feature length documentary vibrantly narrated by the 10 people who knew the legendary comic the best. The bill hicks story 2009 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Since his passing in 1994, the image of maverick us comedian bill hicks has been adopted as a crude totem that equates chainsmoking and invective with a vague, postpunk defiance. The bill hicks story is the ground breaking new documentary that brings the tale of one of. With his raunchy yet relevant attacks on the contradictory american way of life, hicks was an agitatorand individuality hasnt always been in style. P resumably designed as an introduction to andor fans celebration of a man often lauded as the greatest standup comedian of the last quartercentury, american. An animated documentary drama on the legendary texas outlaw comic bill hicks. The bill hicks story, a conversation with director. Legendary texan outlaw comic bill hicks was and still is an inspiration to millions. 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. Filmmakers matt harlock and paul thomas have deftly selected the most groundbreaking moments of this influential comedians career and offer insight into his personal challenges on the rocky. Mar 04, 2016 this groundbreaking documentary uses a stunning new animation technique to tell the story of the modern cultural icon bill hicks.
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. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. 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. Regularly voted one of the top comics of all time, this award winning documentary recounts his fascinating and ultimately uplifting life story, told by. Filmmakers matt harlock and paul thomas both british are lucky that hickss family and childhood pals were happy to unburden themselves to camera, and.
The film was produced by matt harlock and paul thomas, and features. In the country which enshrines freedom of speech in its constitution his story is truly about what it means to be an american. The bill hicks story brings the lifestory of one of modern cultures most iconic heroes to the big screen. A documentary film by matt harlock and paul thomas american. British filmmakers matt harlock and paul thomas talk about their documentary, american. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing american.
George lucas, which have both received critical acclaim. The year you finally read a book about climate change. Standup comedy is one of the most difficult creative occupations out there, because it not only possesses all of. Your email address will never be sold or distributed to a.
Preacher comic book adoption cast based on the comic by garth ennis. 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. Matt harlock, half of the team behind new documentary american. Bill hicks is considered by many to be the greatest comedian of the modern era. 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. Bill hicks died on feb 26th 1994, and since then his reputation has only grown. 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 complement to his comedic vision. The bill hicks story 2010 starring kevin booth and john farneti on dvd and bluray. The film was produced by matt harlock and paul thomas, and features archival footage and interviews with family and friends, including kevin booth. Saved by the bell revival coming to nbcuniversal streaming service which original stars will be back. Apr, 2011 bill hicks is a hero comedian, fighter for truth and for alternative thinking. Dec 17, 2011 legendary texan outlaw comic bill hicks was and still is an inspiration to millions.
The bill hicks story unfolds his life and work, in a. It isnt surprising that codirectors matt harlock and paul thomas are having a hard time finding a u. Photoanimated feature documentary, uniquely narrated by the 10 people who knew bill best. Photoanimated feature documentary, uniquely narrated by the. The bill hicks story often makes the mistake of telling, not showing.
Filmmakers matt harlock and paul thomas both british are lucky that hickss family and childhood pals. Theres a certain irony in the fact that two british filmmakers have set out to tell the life story of a largely underappreciated american comedian. 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 bill hicks story is a biographical documentary film on the life of comedian bill hicks. It includes interviews with hicks closest family and friends which paint a picture of a. Bill hicks, kevin booth, john farneti and lynn hicks directed by. Featuring interviews with friends and family, the film is an intimate exploration of the story of hicks genius through the use of documentary footage and compelling animated photographs. Here at, we are committed to protecting your privacy. The bill hicks story while pushing documentary storytelling in a new direction much more than a. I met paul thomas and matt harlock, the filmmakers of american. This month two british directors, matt harlock and paul thomas, release their documentary american. A film by matt harlock and paul thomas coyote productions. The distinguishing fillip of matt harlock and paul thomass narrative of hickss personal and public life, ended at 32 by pancreatic cancer in 1994, is that. Directors matt harlock and paul thomas work wonders with the old photos, animating and enhancing them to simulate hicks excellent adventure.
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. Rock band clutch mentions hicks in the song how to shake hands from their 2018 album, book of bad decisions. The film successfully charts the course he took to become the. Weve just passed the seventeenth anniversary of the death of bill hicks, and in memoriam id like to present the trailer for american. Early on in matt harlock and paul thomass new 100minute semianimated biopic, hickss sometime colleague and. The bill hicks story is a 2009 biographical documentary film on the life of comedian bill hicks. Directed by matt harlock and paul thomas, this film was. A true product of the american dream, his rebellious and exhilarating comedy left no stone unturned and his profound observations on american life were a life changing experience for many who saw him. 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. We have never needed bill hicks more than we do today. He was described by many names philosopher, social satirist, even preacher, but he was ultimately a comic who believed that he could reach his audiences with. Jun 03, 2010 an innovative portrait of controversial and cultadored comedian bill hicks, who died in 1994 at the age of 32.
With bill hicks, dwight slade, mary hicks, steve hicks. A true product of the american dream, his rebellious and exhilarating comedy left no stone unturned and his. Saw the documentary on bill hicks last night, american. Since his premature death in 1994 he has gained a cult underground following. A freshfaced guy and a girl with a swinging ponytail, each in black sxsw volunteer tees, moved slowly back along the long line of badgeholders waiting to get into the north american premiere of american. The distinguishing fillip of matt harlock and paul thomass narrative of hickss personal and public life. The bill hicks story, 2010, directed by matt harlock, with bill hicks, at turner classic movies. The award winning true life story of the outlaw comic bill hicks, told by the people who knew him best. 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. As much as that first word has become overly besmirched of late, its a good idea to remind ourselves of its meaning here in the. Filmmaker matt harlock and paul thomas chronicle the life, art, and philosophy of a singular performer with the documentary american. Bill hicks american the bill hicks story official trailer.
Mar 11, 2010 codirectors matt harlock and paul thomas present their emerging visions american. The bill hicks story was written, directed, and produced by matt harlock and paul thomas. The bill hicks story was first released in late 2009 but made its worldwide debut in may of 2010. The bill hicks story, a british documentary directed by matt harlock and paul thomas. Russell crowe announced in 2012 that he would direct a bill hicks biopic. 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 to his early tragic death from pancreatic cancer at age 32 in 1994. Paul thomas and matt harlocks documentary looks at the life of the comedian bill hicks. Theres a great deal of promise and potential in the idea of a documentary study of hicks.
Matt harlock, paul thomas starring bill hicks, dwight slade. The true life story of the outlaw comic who tried to save the world. The bill hicks story a look at the life of one of the worlds greatest comedians and thinkers, as. If youve never heard of him before in your life, then you need to see this film even more urgently. Described as many things philosopher, social satirist, even preacher. Hicks is the subject of at least two tribute songs including bill hicks released in 2000 by fellow texan ed hamell of hamell on trial, and the 2007 bill hicks by australian gypsyblues group juke baritone and the swamp dogs. Film without selling your soul, i see a new transparency is before us. Matt harlock and paul thomas talk about making the acclaimed documentary american. The bill hicks story wikipedia, the free encyclopedia american. The bill hicks story, a portrait of the shortlived artist that will move fans while letting the uninitiated witness.
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. A groundbreaking comedian gets a step closer to immortality with american. A culture hero of the modern, open and liberal america. The bill hicks story is more than just a series of great standup moments from bill, though it contains plenty of those. We caught up with paul thomas and matt harlock as american. Skip to main content this banner text can have markup.
And bill hicks story is so important as an american entertainer that it deserved to be structured the way matt harlock did, in order to preserve bill hicks inspirational bold spirit. 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. The title of the film is a little more compelling than at first glance. 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. Apr 20, 2011 we caught up with paul thomas and matt harlock as american. American does us the favor of avoiding such namedropping and keeps the story on the evolution of this.
Matt harlock and paul thomas, two english filmmakers, have dug up some interesting footage for their unashamedly fawning study of. The bill hicks story, their love of the comedian and what it was like to work with bills family in bringing his story to the screen they also reveal why richard linklater is among the many fans of the movie q. Bill hicks was a man who decided to change the world. Filmmaker spoke with harlock and thomas about satire, enlightenment, the difference between british and american humor, and why jon stewart is heir to the hicks legacy. The bill hicks story, which presents a rare insight into the comedian.
Cleverly shunning a conventional talkingheads approach, american. Auto suggestions are available once you type at least 3 letters. A man that realized that it was possible to change peoples perceptions of the world. I know that having read the book, seen the sane man and other bill hicks dvd and that there. If you already know and love bill hicks, then you need to see this film. The bill hicks story is quite simply an exhaustive chronicle of how the comedian morphed from a talented adolescent athlete into the. The bill hicks story is a 2009 biographical documentary film on the life of. May 26, 2005 john lahrs 20page foreword, half written before hicks death, half after, is superb, a wonderful introduction to the work and world of hicks to anyone unfamiliar with the great mans work hicks loved the half he read too, as shown in a long letter to lahr which crops up near the end of the book. Awardwinning director matt harlocks first feature film, american the bill hicks story premiered at lff and. This book that you now hold before you is by and for those pioneers. The bill hicks story has been around for a while, and is only now being released stateside. Filmmaker matt harlock talks the late comic legend as innovator of standup rebel humor, and his politics of.