As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours playing “Rock Band” and dreaming of standing on stage with the E Street Band, I can’t help but feel a profound connection to Bruce Springsteen and his latest documentary, “Road Diary”. Growing up in the Jersey Shore, just like Thom Zimny, the Boss’ music was an integral part of my life. His songs were the soundtrack to my summers, the anthems that echoed through our homes during family gatherings, and the rallying cries when we faced adversity.
Bruce Springsteen felt that this tour with The E Street Band was going to be different from all their past ones. Similarly, filmmaker Thom Zimny, who’s worked with the musical icon for the last 24 years, shared the same intuition.
The desire to seize a singular moment arising from the world’s emergence out of pandemic isolation, gave birth to “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band”. This documentary premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8th, later becoming available on Hulu and Disney+ on October 25th. It captures Springsteen and his bandmates as they reconnect and rehearse for their first live shows together in six years, a performance eagerly awaited by audiences longing for the revival of live entertainment. (A sneak peek from the film is shown above.)
Springsteen’s Journey on the Highway offers insights not just from Springsteen himself but also from his long-term musical partners like guitarist Steven Van Zandt, drummer Max Weinberg, manager Jon Landau, and wife and musician Patti Scialfa. The movie emphasizes the significance of shared encounters while portraying the 74-year-old Springsteen, who has faced health challenges in recent times, as he grapples with doubts about how many more electrifying live performances he can deliver, a style that has been his trademark for a long time.
During his performance, it was evident to Zimny that Bruce’s song selections and dialogue between songs symbolized a discussion he was having with the audience about his current position in life and accepting mortality,” Zimny explained to The Hollywood Reporter. “Each band member embodied an expression of gratitude for the opportunity to be back with a live audience and perform these songs again, everywhere. There was a palpable sense and consciousness of time.
One of the movie’s standout scenes is where Springsteen interacts with the band, providing glimpses into their relationship dynamics, as the singer typically restricts recordings of his rehearsals before concerts. A significant instance depicts Little Steven arranging extra practice sessions for the band without Springsteen’s knowledge, because the guitarist felt the group wasn’t adequately prepared to perform due to personal issues. These backstage moments brought back why director Zimny initially became captivated by Springsteen’s music as a 16-year-old from New Jersey who used to bike along the coastline.
As a filmmaker, Zimny aimed to convey the subtle communication inherent in working with a band – specifically, Bruce, the band leader, and Stevie, the musical director. These interactions are difficult to capture on camera because they occur over extended periods and often in fleeting glimpses or moments.
It so happens or not, the film “Road Diary” will be streamed just under two weeks before the U.S. presidential election. Although the movie isn’t politically oriented, Springsteen – known for his vocal opposition to Donald Trump and whose music played a role in President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign – has a talent for resonating with audiences, regardless of their political leanings.
Zimny reveals that everyone was discussing their shared sense of camaraderie, stating that within the confines of these concert halls, the world felt slightly less isolating. “I aimed to capture this feeling through my lens – the spectacle serving as my subject,” he says. “My intention with this film was to portray the universally uplifting impact of music on our lives, creating a fellowship that transcended political differences or any such barriers. Essentially, it’s a place where one can rediscover the joy of living again.
At a period when music-themed films, such as those like “Bob Marley: One Love” and “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour“, are experiencing unprecedented success, the film “Road Diary” features conversations with young fans to emphasize Springsteen’s enduring impact. Additionally, the upcoming biopic from 20th Century Studios, “Deliver Me From Nowhere“, featuring Jeremy Allen White portraying Springsteen during the recording of the emotional 1982 album “Nebraska“, is expected to boost his popularity among Gen Z music enthusiasts. Director Thom Zimny expresses excitement about this movie, stating, “It wasn’t originally part of the documentary, but as both a filmmaker and a fan, I’m eager to learn more and can hardly wait.
Essentially, the director aspires for “Road Diary” to evoke the sensation of attending a Springsteen concert. As Zimny explains, “You want your movie to be powerful, thrilling, emotional, even funny, and that after watching it, you’ve gained insights about yourself that you didn’t expect when you started watching the concert. My hope for ‘Road Diary’ is that you identify with some of Bruce’s experiences and learn something new about yourself.
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2024-09-07 00:58