Moonage Daydream

In 2017, the year after David Bowie’s death, his heirs gave Morgen access to the star’s personal archive. The filmmaker, who previously created the idiosyncratic Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015), about Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain, spent the next five years working with Bowie’s audio-visual legacy.

'Moonage Daydream' isn't your traditional documentary in which a parade of talking heads weighs in on the topic at hand, but a whimsical exploration of the adventurous career of a cultural phenomenon. From the extroverted Ziggy Stardust of the 1970s, through countless masquerades, to the Bowie who ponders his own mortality on his final album Blackstar.

But Morgan doesn't stick to spectacular concert excerpts only. The talk show interviews are witty and intriguing are the film clips with and without Bowie. Also surprising: the introduction to the pop star as a painter. And of course, there's the music; no fewer than 48 songs, in a new mix by Oscar winner Paul Massey (Bohemian Rhapsody). This is not only Bowie as you've never seen him before, but also Bowie as you've never heard him before.

...delightful...the definitive documentary...dizzying...works brilliantly...we've never seen anything like this before...a delirious documentary...the images speak for themselves. Pure cinema...moving...the music documentary of the year. (***** de Volkskrant)

David Bowie and film

To accompany the reissue of The Man Who Fell to Earth– which had its première fifty years ago – Eye on Sound is organising an homage to David Bowie, who passed away ten years ago.

On Saturday, 14 March, you will be able to watch films that illuminate various aspects of Bowie’s relationship to film; whether as a composer/musician on the soundtrack or on screen as an actor. The programme consists of The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976), Cat People (1982), Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), The Hunger (1983) and Labyrinth (1986).

Bowie appeared in more than thirty films, usually in a cameo or small supporting part. His many albums, memorable tours, interviews and ever-changing personas mean that we have somewhat lost sight of Bowie the actor.

Several directors – including David Lynch, Christopher Nolan and Nicholas Roeg – have highlighted Bowie’s qualities: he was a singer-performer who could convincingly fill a wide range of character parts. Striking examples including the hyperintelligent, enigmatic alien in The Man Who Fell to Earth and the unflappable British officer Jack ‘Strafer’ Celliers (Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence).