Whether they’re biopics or documentaries, there’s a thrill to music films that you don’t necessarily get with other movies – the chance to get to know a real person a little bit better. The nominees for Best Music Film at the VO5 NME Awards 2018 all fulfill that task in different ways, providing new insight into some of our favourite musicians.
The VO5 NME Awards 2018 takes place at London’s O2 Academy Brixton on February 14.
Gaga: Five Foot Two
What: An incredibly revealing documentary about one of the biggest female pop stars on the planet.
Who’s in it: Lady Gaga, of course, plus figures like Mark Ronson, Florence Welch, and… George W. Bush?
Why does it deserve to win?: Even the most hardcore of Little Monsters will have learnt something new from this personal document that takes you into every part of Gaga’s life, from the studio to her troubled health.
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L7: Pretend We’re Dead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3qFKB78uic
What: A documentary about the ’90s cult icons full of vintage camcorder footage shot by the band themselves.
Who’s in it: The heroes of L7, plus other luminaries like Brody Dalle, Shirley Manson, Butch Vig, Billy Corgan, Courtney Love, and more.
Why does it deserve to win?: It shows L7 for what they were – incredibly important and whip-smart, and the most rock’n’roll of bands.
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Bunch Of Kunst
What: The dual story of Sleaford Mods’ ‘Key Markets’ album and subsequent tour, and their manager Steve Underwood.
Who’s in it: The Nottingham punk duo and their main man Steve.
Director: Christine Franz.
Why does it deserve to win?: It shows another side to the band beyond their anger-filled records, bringing warmth and humanity into the mix too.
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George Michael: Freedom
What: The late icon’s own look back into his incredible life and career.
Who’s in it: A whole range of stars including George, Naomi Campbell, Mary J. Blige, Liam Gallagher, and Elton John.
Director: George Michael and David Austin.
Why does it deserve to win?: It’s a beautiful tribute to his legacy, and a reminder of his huge wealth of talent.
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England Is Mine
What: The telling of Steven Patrick Morrissey’s life before he formed The Smiths with Johnny Marr in 1982.
Who’s in it: Jack Lowden plays Morrissey, while he’s joined by Jessica Brown Findlay (Linder Sterling), and Laurie Kynaston (Johnny Marr).
Director: Mark Gill.
Why does it deserve to win?: It’s a sweet and tender portrayal of Moz’s early days that doesn’t fall into the trap of becoming a parody.
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Whitney: Can I Be Me
What: An exploration of who the icon really was and how her life ended in such contrast to her public image.
Who’s in it: Whitney, daughter Bobbi Brown, mother Cissy, Oprah Winfrey and more appear in the archive footage used.
Director: Nick Broomfield and Rudi Dolezal.
Why does it deserve to win?: It’s a fascinating look at the making of a popstar before the age of social media.
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