SUNDANCE CHANNEL TUNES UP IN OCTOBER WITH HI-FI FRIDAYS

Weekly Night of Music-Based Programming Includes Three Feature Documentary Premieres and the Original Series "Sonic Cinema"

NEW YORK, NY (PRWEB) July 30, 2003 -- Sundance Channel spotlights the creative fusion of music and film in October with "Hi-Fi Fridays," which returns for a second year of music-based feature films and original programming. This year, "Hi-Fi Fridays" presents the television premieres of three outstanding recent feature documentaries that look at -- and listen to -- the people who make music.

"Sonic Cinema," hosted by Thurston Moore of the pioneering New York group Sonic Youth, looks at the harmonic convergence of music and film and also introduces viewers to the musicians, filmmakers and other independent artists involved in the creation of musical images.

From October 3 through October 24, "Hi-Fi Fridays" kicks off at 9:00pm ET/PT with a different feature documentary followed at 11:00pm ET/PT with a new episode of "Sonic Cinema." "Hi-Fi Fridays" wraps up on October 31 with a "Sonic Cinema" marathon, presenting all four episodes of the series. "Hi Fi-Fridays" airs every Friday night in October,
starting at 9:00pm.

Fresh from its critically hailed appearance at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, Mark Moormanns Tom Dowd and the Language of Music is an exhilarating portrait of the innovative recording engineer/producer Tom Dowd. Dowd is credited with helping to shape the sound of Ray Charles, Cream, Aretha Franklin, the Allman Brothers, Otis Redding, John Coltrane and many other musical greats.

Justin Mitchells Songs For Cassavetes looks at the still-thriving world of underground music, capturing the scenes do-it-yourself energy in concert footage and interviews with 10bands. The third premiere, Mike Gordons Rising Low goes behind the scenes as 25 heroes of the bass guitar, including Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the late John Entwistleof the Who, join the Southern blues-rock trio Govt Mule to record a new album. Rounding out the feature films of "Hi-Fi Fridays" is Sarah Shares If I Should Fall From Grace, the
story of Shane MacGowan, who brought a poetic punk edge to traditional Irish music with his band, The Pogues.

"Hi-Fi Fridays" continues its stereophonic journey with the Sundance Channel original program "Sonic Cinema." "Sonic Cinema" looks at the ways in which filmmakers andmusicians cross-pollinate, influence and inspire each other, and how these two artforms can add up to something greater than the sum of their parts. The program is presented in a
magazine-style format, with host Moore introducing segments and providing background information and context for viewers.

Each episode of "Sonic Cinema" includes four distinct segments that highlight the many ways music and film come together. "Back to Back" canvasses the wide world of music videofrom a single vantage point, serving up clips that are linked by a common denominator, be it style, format, subject matter or artist. "Profiles" looks at the individuals who work on themusic side of filmmaking. Rarities, oddities, and other audiovisual delights take center stage when filmmakers and musicians introduce the music-based works that have inspired,influenced or otherwise affected them. Musicians who go behind the camera are the focus of "I Made It Myself," which showcases the fruits of their visual labors, including musicvideos, short films and commercials. Sonic Cinema is produced by LanternEye Productions for Sundance Channel. It is directed and produced by Paul La Blanc. Jordan Katon is
co-producer.

Under the creative direction of Robert Redford, Sundance Channel brings television viewers daring and engaging feature films, shorts, documentaries, world cinema and animation,shown uncut and with no commercials. Through its original programs, Sundance channel connects viewers with filmmakers, the creative process, and the world of independent film.

Launched in 1996, Sundance Channel is a venture between Robert Redford, Showtime Networks Inc., and Universal Studios. Sundance Channel operates independently of the non-profit Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, but shares the overall Sundance mission of supporting independent artists and providing them with wider opportunities to present their work to audiences.

Sundance Channels website address is www.sundancechannel.com.

SEE COMPLETE SHOW DESCRIPTIONS BELOW

###

Contact:
The Baker/Northrop Media Group
Sheryl Northrop
(818) 986-5200 ext. 221
sheryl@bakernorthrop.com
http://www.bakernorthrop.com

Sundance Channel
Sarah Eaton                                         Katie Lanegran
(212) 654-1613                                 (212) 654-3398
(212) 654-4738 fax                            (212) 654-4738 fax
sarah.eaton@sundancechannel.com katie.lanegran@sundancechannel.com

HI-FI FRIDAYS
"DOCS THAT ROCK"
Tom Dowd and the Language of Music (Television Premiere) ? Directed by Mark Moormann. The general public may not know his name, but recording engineer/producer Tom Dowd helped shape the sound of modern music. A short list of his credits reads like a whos who of rock, soul and jazz legends: Ray Charles, John Coltrane, Cream, Eric Clapton, Aretha
Franklin, Charles Mingus, Otis Redding. In this exhilarating portrait, the immensely likeable Dowd looks back on his long career; interviews with the people he worked with - including Charles, Clapton, and Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun reveal how Dowds artistry, patience and enthusiasm made the music flow. Filming was completed shortly before Dowds death in October 2002. The film was completed Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2003 Nashville Festival. Premieres on Friday, October 3rd at 9:00pm.

If I Should Fall From Grace, Directed by Sarah Share. Taking its title from The Pogues classic album "If I Should Fall From Grace with God," this riveting documentary catches up with the Irish post-punk bands former front man, singer/songwriter Shane MacGowan. Filled with performances, the film celebrates MacGowans astonishing talent without shying away from the more painful aspects of his famously chaotic life. Featuring interviews with MacGowan, his former bandmates, longtime girlfriend Victoria Clarke and singer Nick Cave. Airs on Friday, October 10th at 9:00pm.

Songs for Cassavetes (Television Premiere), Directed by Justin Mitchell. A look at the do-it-yourself world of underground rock from the perspective of the musicians themselves. Hailing from different parts of the country, from the indie-rock hub of Olympia, Washington to Washington, D.C., these bands kept a low profile in the wake of the alt-rock explosion of the early 90s. Featuring concert performances and interviews with ten alt-rock favorites, including: Sleater-Kinney, Dub Narcotic Sound System, Further, Some Velvet Sidewalk, Tullycraft, The Hi-Fives, The Make-Up, The PeeChees, Henrys Dress, Unwound. Premieres on Friday, October 17th at 9:00pm.

Rising Low (Television Premiere) ? Directed by Mike Gordon. Gordon, best known as the bass player in Phish, plunges into the groovy glory that is the bass guitar in this winning documentary. Rising Low follows the Allman-esque power trio Govt Mule as the band records its first album after the death of its bassist, Allen Woody. Rather than replace Woody, the band instead turned to an all-star line up of 25 bass players, each of whom played on one song of the two-disc set. Its a diverse bunch that includes Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bootsy Collins, and the late John Entwistle of the Who. Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2002 Newport International Film Festival. Premieres on Friday, October 24h at 9:00pm.

HI-FI FRIDAYS
"SONIC CINEMA"
Sonic Cinema, Episode 1, "Back to Back: Animation" focuses on the different techniques used in two music videos: the computer-generated cut-outs of Ben Stokes clip for DJ
Shadows "Walkie Talkie"; and the transformation of digital video footage into lush animation in Peter Simonite and Divya Srinivasans clip for Spoons "Everything Hits At Once."
Filmmaker Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham) presents a musical sequence from the 1965 Bollywood musical Gumnaam, where East meets West in a groovy explosion of
twangy guitar, jazzy horns, beehive hairdos and cocktail chic. Music supervisor-turned-director Alex Steyermark talks about bringing his two loves together in his debut feature Prey For Rock and Roll, a musical about an all-girl punk band. In "I Made It Myself: Wayne Coyne, " the front man of Oklahoma psychedelic rock originals The Flaming Lips describes his learn-as-you-go career as the bands video director. Premieres on Friday, October 3rd at 11:00pm and also airs on Friday, October 31st at 9:00pm.

Sonic Cinema, Episode 2 ? "I Made It Myself: Mr. Scruff" looks at how Manchester DJ/recording artist Mr. Scruff has transformed his charming, child-like illustrations into whimsical music videos in collaboration with animator Ben Turner. Mark Mothersbaugh, formerly of the Cleveland New Wave quintet Devo, presents "Mongoloid," a 1977 short film by San
Francisco artist/filmmaker Bruce Conner that captures the subversive spirit of the Devo classic. A profile of composer Carter Burwell looks at his film scores for such directors as the Coen Brothers, Bill Condon and Julian Schnabel. "Back to Back" focuses on the work of photographer and director Floria Sigismondi, creator of beautifully strange videos for Marilyn Manson, the Icelandic band Sigur Rós and drumnbass artist Amon Tobin. Premieres on Friday, October 10th at 11:00pm, and also airs Friday, October 31st at 10:00pm.

Sonic Cinema, Episode 3 ? "Back to Back: One Shot Videos" features two clips that unfold in a single, uninterrupted take: Radioheads "No Surprises" and Waxs "California." Jack Johnson, a rising star on the alt-pop scene, is profiled in segment that looks at his music, his award-winning films and his career as a championship surfer. "I Made It Myself: Underworld" catches up with the British electronic innovators Underworld, who have been a major force in visual media through their award winning design collective Tomato. Premieres on Friday, October 17th at 11:00pm, and also airs Friday, October 31st at 11:00pm.

Sonic Cinema, Episode 4 -- "Back to Back: Supergrass" samples a host of videos by the British punk-pop group, whose videos are as smart and irresistible as their songs. Musician John Cale, best known as a member of the legendary Velvet Underground, discusses his career as a film composer in a Sonic Cinema profile. Filmmaker Mark Pellington (Arlington Road, The Mothman Prophecies) presents How They Get There, a delightfully perverse short film by Spike Jonze, set to "Sentimental Journey" by Mexican bandleader Esquivel. Premieres on Friday, October 24th at 11:00pm, and also airs Friday, October 31st at 12:00am.