A new film about Joe Strummer will be premiering at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah with the first screenings beginning this weekend. Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten directed by Julien Temple (The Great Rock and Roll Swindle) is a documentary about the late singer/guitarist who fronted and co-founded English punk band The Clash and later The Mescaleros before his death in December 2002.

From The Sundance Film Festival Website:

Through previously unearthed interviews with Strummer himself and recollections of those who knew him best, Temple reveals a complex man who used his music as a bullhorn for his conscience–as well as a means to educate others about the injustices of the world. The film includes live concert footage spanning Strummer’s career and tapes of his BBC radio program, all of which provide a fitting soundtrack to his distinctive and storied existence.

I’ve seen quite a few documentaries about Joe Strummer and have always enjoyed watching them. From what I’ve been told by people who knew him during his Clash days, he was genuine and one of a kind. Fans who would hang around after the shows got to know Joe and the band because they were friendly and easy to approach.

The Clash meant a lot to many people around the world when they were going strong in the 70s and 80s. The good thing is that there are still so many fans out there, old and new, that feel just as passionate about Joe and The Clash now as they did then. The Clash played music that held no boundaries and began incorporating reggae into their songs. Working with top reggae artists like Lee “Scratch” Perry and Mikey Dread helped to give them even more of an original and unique sound then when they began.

There’s so much more to be said about Joe Strummer that one blog entry alone doesn’t seem to do him justice. The best way to get to know him is of course through his music and also the documentaries about his life that include people who knew him.

Unfortunately I won’t be able to go to the Sundance Festival to watch Julien Temple’s The Future Is Unwritten but will look forward to when it hopefully becomes available on DVD.

For those who are lucky enough to attend the premiere, here are the screening times:

Saturday Jan 20 9:00 PM Holiday Village Cinema IV
Sunday Jan 21 9:00 PM Broadway Centre Cinemas IV, SLC
Monday Jan 22 9:15 AM Holiday Village Cinema III
Tuesday Jan 23 1:00 PM Holiday Village Cinema IV

Information could change! For the latest news and screening times go to the Official Sundance Film Festival Website.

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By: Jenny May