The Future Is Unwritten

The trailer for the Joe Strummer film presents his life as inevitable: a guy with no talent who became a rock star through sheer force of will, who was driven by a need to be famous, and who would serve as inspiration to all aspiring musicians: if HE could do it, YOU can too.

Needless to say, this is a huge turnoff if you have any sort of respect for Joe Strummer. Thankfully, the documentary is much more insightful and enjoyable than the trailers give it credit for.

The film begins discussing Strummers' childhood: a rebellious student in a public school, the son of a diplomat who dragged him to India, Turkey, and Mexico on his holidays. After art school, he becomes a musician first in rock bands, then punk, and eventually in what is probably called 'world music' (flatteringly: a musical cross-pollination that knows no ethnic or political boundaries), not so flatteringly: white labels co-opting non-white music to be distributed for the profit of white-owned record labels).

What emerges is an intimate portrait of Strummer as an embodiment of the punk ethos: the disdain for convention, the do-it-yourself attitude, the bond between bands and audience, the importance of community over government, and above all the need to get the word out. Strummer's essence permeates the film: animations of his artwork are used to illustrate anecdotes or transition between scenes, interviews are all performed huddled around the bonfires of which he grew so fond, the soundtrack is largely taken from Strummer's London Calling radio show from the BBC World Service.

A must-see, and surprisingly positive film which ultimately serves as further proof that anyone not constantly re-inventing themselves is not worth knowing.

* * * R A T I N G * * *

Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten

Wince : [_____]
Flinch : [_____]
Retch : [_____]
Gape : [**___]

Beerequisite : [**___]
Pornability : [_____] (* for the ladies, there is a naked guy dancing around)
Obscurity : [**___]
Explicability : [****_]

Best Joe Strummer Philosophy: "No non-smoker should be allowed to purchase anything created by a smoker."

Interviewees to keep an eye out for: Cusack! Depp! Buscemi! Grandmaster Flash!!!