Review of Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing (2006) by Jason J — 10 Dec 2007

Thanks very much to the Luna Cinemas for their Monday Double Features, I haven't been to one in ages and 'The U.S. vs. John Lennon' and 'Shut Up & Sing' was a great one.

I'm not the hugest fan of the Dixie Chicks' music, or even of any country music (except Johnny Cash) but that doesn't stop this from being an interesting film. Two time Acadamy Award winner Barbara Kopple and first time director Cecilia Peck come together to create a film about the politics of being a celebrity.

It tries to shoot in the Direct Cinema style, sometimes having to betray that, but all in the cause of making a compelling film. The film cuts between events in 2003, when the Dixie Chicks made comments against President Bush, leading to fan disaproval, radio boycotts and even death threats. To 2005 when they are writing, recording and releasing a new album, and all the promotional tours and things they face around it.

Like I say, I'm not really a Dixie Chicks fan, but I still enjoyed it.