About half a year back, I wrote a review for an excellent documentary called Led Zeppelin Played Here. I had seen it three times previous to publishing that review because I loved it so much so now I have decided to promote it even more. I want people to know the reasoning behind why this documentary should be seen by everyone and this time---I even got to talk to director Jeff Krulik and have him give his take on the film.
I have certainly learned a lot about the music industry and the history of rock concerts from this documentary. It is extremely informative about the way that concerts have emerged over the years into a larger whole. However, I wanted to know what the director hoped people would take away from their viewing experience. Krulik says "What I hope people take away from the film is an appreciation of how the rock concert industry emerged from this wide open frontier where things were being made up as they went along," adding that "...it's not a film about Led Zeppelin, it's about a time and a place in our culture that is being taken for granted, even if it's not remembered at all." Krulik is happy with the project's hook, however. He tells me that "...Led Zeppelin is a strong hook in title and in content so no complaints on my end." Krulik has made a fascinating point here that I think a lot of people who see this film overlook. He talks about how it is not really a film about Led Zeppelin in and of itself. Upon first viewing---I discovered that this was the case. The film goes into deeper questions about the rock music industry and a time that doesn't seem to be talked about much anymore.
I most definitely hope that this excellent documentary will soon become a hit outside of the local areas despite its subject matter. Due to my curiosity about whether or not this is a surefire hit or whether this film is just a drop in the bucket for Krulik's career.....I asked him about his thoughts on whether or not this will expand. Krulik wrote back to me saying "I think the verdict is out on whether the film will reach a wide/wider audience," adding "I haven't even secured a Virginia screening yet." However, he adds "I'm entering it into some national film festivals and I've got my fingers crossed." Krulik agrees with me that "...the subject has universal appear so it shouldn't matter whether you're from the area or not." I think that audiences across the globe will acknowledge this as a well made, fun documentary and I certainly have hope that Krulik's fan base will only grow from here.
One thing that I also ask myself when watching a film is "what inspired the director to tackle this project?" This question was especially prominent during Led Zeppelin Played Here because Krulik obviously has an affection for the subject at hand so I decided what he had to say about my probing question. Krulik wrote back with an attachment to the "Krulik Rock And Roll Trilogy" in which he writes "I've been fascinated with the history of the rock concert industry for as long as I can remember. I've always been curious about the personalities and machinery behind the industry and how the modern concert industry emerged from the amorphous blank slate of the 1960s." Krulik, showing his deep passion for this subject ends this statement by saying "...this is part of my ongoing effort to chronicle the emerging cultural landscape of my hometown, which in many ways, could be anyone's hometown."
Another probing question I had was whether or not Krulik has had a tough time editing the film whether that be making additions to the film or taking certain scenes out. I wonder this because each time I watch it the film is different and it's always fascinating to see the different placement of scenes and what scenes Krulik seems to have a dedication to and what scenes Krulik seems to not need. Krulik writes back saying "It's been harder working on the latest cut, then getting the film ready in the first place, and that's just trimming a few scenes here or there, or add a soundbite or some imagery." Krulik then adds "So far, every version that's been screened has been received positively but I'm my own worst critic." This is further justification that Krulik has a lot of passion for this project as well as a lot of determination to make it the best that he can and it shows upon viewing the film.
Lastly---I wanted to know Krulik's plans for the film's distribution now that it's reached a fair sized audience. He writes back saying that "I pretty much just want to finalize the cut, then circulate it as best I can via film festivals and circulated screenings, then try and get it on regional public television, then get it online." Krulik adds "I don't ever see it being a commercial property due to rights issues but you never know."
Led Zeppelin Played Here is an excellent film that should be seen by all. Although it currently does not have any confirmed 2014 screenings, Krulik says he's going to try to bring it back to the AFI Silver in downtown Silver Spring as well as at other screenings in the Washington, DC, Maryland and maybe even the Virginia area. I encourage everyone to see this film as it is fascinating and extremely entertaining. I can only hope that Jeff Krulik has a long, great career ahead of him...he's a force to be reckoned with.
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