Sunday School of Rock presents "Stop Making Sense"

STOP MAKING SENSE

Sunday School of Rock’s third offering is the legendary Stop Making Sense at 3pm on the 13th of April recently digitally remastered in glorious high definition for the film’s 40th anniversary.

Stop Making Sense was originally shot across four performances at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles in 1983 as part of Talking Heads’ promotion tour for their fifth studio album Speaking in Tongues however the process of making the film produced a series of iconic images that would go on to eclipse much of the rest of the band’s other output. Indeed, the “big suit”, subject of repeated parody, has become synonymous with David Byrne himself.

Director Jonathan Demme found that he was forced to work within the limitations of the band. They refused to film catch up shots on a sound stage mocked up to look like the Pantages Theatre, as the band felt that the lack of a live audience would lead to a lifeless performance. Conversely, when the auditorium had to be illuminated to film the obligatory audience reaction shots, the band felt so self-conscious that they gave the “worst performance of Talking Heads’ existence.” By necessity the film eschews almost all shots of the audience, contrary to the convention of the times. The band also refused to allow the inclusion of interviews and asides to break up the concert. Despite, or perhaps because of these deviations from the concert movie formula of the time, Stop Making Sense contrives to be a powerfully immersive experience for the viewer and regularly tops critics lists as “the greatest concert movie of all time”.

Here’s what the producers have to say about the film.

“Newly restored in high definition to coincide with the film’s 40th anniversary. STOP MAKING SENSE is directed by renowned filmmaker Jonathan Demme and is considered by critics as one of the greatest concert films of all time. STOP MAKING SENSE captures Talking Heads in all their kinetic glory and cements them as one of the most influential bands of the 70s and 80s. This concert film documents Talking Heads at the height of their popularity, on tour for their 1983 album “Speaking in Tongues.” The band takes the stage one by one and is joined by a cadre of guest musicians for a career-spanning and cinematic performance that features creative choreography and visuals.”

Whether you’ve only heard about this concert film spoken of in hushed tones or whether you’re a regular at the Astor’s annual participatory screening – the Henkel Street Cinema showing is an unmissable event for the connoisseur of concerts and music documentaries alike.

Running time: 88 minutes