Year: 2019
Director: Steve Sullivan
I hate funerals.
Well I guess no one looks forward to funerals but they are an event where people are remembered and talked about with warmth, honesty and love by those who thought the world of them. Often feel that it would be good for that to happen while the person is still alive. I hope that Chris Sievey felt the great love, respect and gratitude expressed in this excellent documentary by Steve Sullivan before his death in 2010 aged just 54 – still with plenty of fun and nonsense planned.
I first encountered Frank Sidebottom on the British version of MTVs ‘Remote Control’ quiz presented by Tony “Mr Manchester” Wilson where he was one of the channels that contestants could pick a question from. This was also at a time when Jonathan Ross’ chatshow would feature early appearances by Vic & Bob, Higson & Whitehouse plus Jools Holland Hootenany stalwart, Roland Riveron. Despite being given minimal airtime Chris / Frank made an instant strong impression on me with his surreal, childlike wit and imaginative props. His outsized papier mache head cocked to one side he skilfully built up this world for Frank to inhabit which was a skewed version of reality.
The documentary is clearly a labour of love and miraculous distillation of literally days of film, audio and written material. In fact it is a minor miracle that the archive exists as it was rescued at the 11th hour from authorities clearing Chris’ old house. That would have been tragedy upon tragedy as a vital record of outsider art would have been lost
Like the unhurried genius that was Ivor Cutler, Frank’s talent was built on a particularly individual worldview that we were invited to share. Spurred on by The Beatles ill fated talent scouting Apple project he was fizzing with creative ideas. The mind that creates the worlds first ever computer program released on vinyl should be cherished. His straight ahead pop career was beset by bad luck despite the tunes yet also there seemed a devilish self destruct strain running through his work. His DIY ethic led to him personalising videos and extravagant replies to fan letters.
It’s hard to tell from the film how much the success, although limited in terms of the general public, of Frank was an albatross or a useful tool to express himself. His five year plan that was cut short by his death involved using the character of Frank to build up a public profile and then remove the head at his zenith like an unmasked Kendo Nagasaki to emerge as Chris Sievey, musician.
The person that emerges from behind the mask via the documentary however is a wonderfully positive optimistic and enthusiastic soul. He had his demons and vices like we all do but his relationship with his children is a joy as he colours their world with his fantastical adventures. When they reach school age he admits “They aren’t mine anymore” cursing the passing of time and relinquishing their minds to the influence of more mundane adults.
Bursting with grainy VHS footage, songs, home movies and intimate moments it’s a treasure trove for Frank fans but easily accessible for those who are new to Franksworld. People like Chris Sievey are rare and rarely cherished or acknowledged for their spirit until after they are gone. This film hopefully will give him the recognition that he deserves. For me he stands alongside people like Ivor Cutler & Viv Stanshall – those unable or unwilling to accept the world as it is & try and show us how magic and absurdly funny life can be.
Treasure those who create and embrace the woozy strange dreamlike vibe of this life affirming documentary
Might appeal to people who enjoyed:
Films
Sold!
This is a really good review. You know it is. It really is.
In short…. Fantastic ! Thank you!
Great review!
Thanks DFB.
Great review. I’m going to this tomorrow. What are the chances!
It was either this or Fishermen’s Friends and I really don’t do those Ladies in Lavender/Summer in February/Calendar Girls-type films.
With Jon Ronson and Mark Radcliffe in it my cup doth truly run over.
Is Morley there too?
Off to see it on Wednesday in Manchester. My mate has already seen it , along with just 16 others so sadly it won’t be round for long. It’s funny but sad apparently.
Will this have a DVD/Bluray release? I’d definitely buy it. My Frank Sidebottom/Chris Sievey picture disc LP arrived today. Sounds great considering it’s a picture disc,
Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story Blu-Ray https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07PFXJ94Q
Soundtrack on limited pic disc and CD
http://keymailrecords.com/being-frank-the-chris-sievey-story-picture-disc-frank-sidebottom-and-chris-sievey-7a020
I almost don’t want to watch this. I loved Frank and I feel as if this would break my heart.
I’m glad it’s been made though, if only as an antidote to that fucking Fassbender film. Americans…. they can’t even say papier mache, let alone “Bllllllimey!”
What Fassbender film?
I deny everything. Not wanting to give that piece of shit publicity.
Moose, it would break your heart. What a strange, full on character. What a chaotic (mainly good) lifestyle. How on earth his first wife and family coped, I don’t know. And so sad how it all ended.
In 1990 a mate did me a C60 compo of Frank’s EPs to that point. I’ll stick with that for now.
“FrrrrrrrRRRRRANK……Ah-ahhhh, saviour of the universe!”
Timperley Sunset has always made me well up a bit. It’s a joke, but it’s real too, it’s about home and innocence.
There was a fair bit about Timperley sunsets in the film. He used to film it most nights apparently.
What….what?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-47907370
Been waiting a long time for this DVD (I was one of the crowdfunders – name in the credits, whoop!) and it was well worth the wait. Lovely, funny, sad, happy film about a lovely man and his fan-tastic creation.
Me too. Utterly lovely, and also heart-breaking. The world needs people like Chris, and there are few enough to go round as it is without losing them before their time.
I’m not really a Frank Sidebottom fan (although I’ll give this film a go I think as it sounds interesting).
I’m interested to know though – from those of you who are Sievey fans – what do you think of the film Frank (from around 2011 I think)? It was written by Jon Ronson and took the Frank Sidebottom story as a spring board, but really went off in it’s own direction. I can imagine it would annoy/ baffle people who were expecting a film actually about Frank, but I love it and I think what helped was me not bringing that baggage to it.
Great review
Finally watched this last weekend…. thankfully still finding it possible to think of Frank and Chris as completely different people, notwithstanding the “reveals”.
A perfect tribute to the great man and his work
PS) a picture of a rock legend, spokesman for a generation, mighty shaman of Madchester….. and some geezer from The Stone Roses