Expect Martin Scorsese's George Harrison documentary this year — Olivia Harrison
A documentary on the life of George Harrison directed by Martin Scorsese is nearly done and is expected to premiere this year, Harrison’s widow, Olivia Harrison said this week.
“I assume we’re going to announce it sometime soon, the actual [premiere] date, but it will be this year,” she said Thursday in Las Vegas, where she had attended the fifth-anniversary performance of the Beatles-Cirque du Soleil show “Love” along with their son, Dhani, and Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, Sean Ono Lennon and longtime Beatles producer George Martin and his son Giles, who co-produced the “Love” soundtrack.
“I just came from New York and Monday I’m going to see it again,” she said of the film about her husband, who died in 2001 of cancer at 58. “We’re real excited about it. Marty is such a great storyteller, and of course he always finds the story that you don’t expect.”
“George Harrison: Living in the Material World,” after the ex-Beatle's 1973 song and solo album of the same title, will be the latest in a string of music documentaries the “Taxi Driver” director has handled. In 1976 he captured “The Last Waltz,” the star-studded farewell performance by the Band, turned his attention on Bob Dylan for 2005’s “No Direction Home” and honed in on the Rolling Stones in 2008 with “Shine a Light.” He also directed the music video for Michael Jackson’s 1987 hit “Bad.”
“He likes it loud,” Harrison said with a smile, “He’s always saying, ‘It’s rock ‘n’ roll!’ ”
It’s unknown to the outside world yet to what extent the film will touch Harrison, one of rock’s most respected guitarists, and his fascination with the ukulele. But Olivia Harrison said she has some footage she wants to share with at least one other person.
“I have a little clip of George — we put the camera on him playing his uke and I have to send that to Eddie [Vedder],” she said in reference to the Pearl Jam front man and his just-released solo album, “Ukulele Songs.” “I think it’s fascinating that Eddie’s done that…. We have a collection of favorite uke songs, and George's favorite uke performances of things like and ‘Clair de Lune’ and ‘Rhapsody in Blue.' "
Not surprisingly, she’s also a big fan of Hawaiian uke player Jake Shimabakuro’s version of Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” which became a viral phenomenon on YouTube several years ago.
“He’s a sweetheart,” she said. “Have you ever met him? He’s like a little bird. Terribly sweet. And a fantastic musician.”
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Here now, she lives for George
— Randy Lewis
Photo of George Harrison in 1974. Credit: Los Angeles Times.
There ought to be a "Best Rock Widow" award so we can give it to Oliva.
Posted by: Mark Dillman | June 11, 2011 at 04:06 PM
I appreciate that such a notable director as Scorsese has been documenting the lives of musicians such as George Harrison. I also admire Scorsese for his contributions to film preservation. HOWEVER--this weekend, 6/17, a significant part of film history will go on the auction block because of a lack of interest by the film community in preserving it. This is the Debbie Reynold's auction.
I can't tell you the number of people I know who are heartbroken that this tangible, living history of 20th century film will be scattered to the winds because of lack of interest and support of the film industry. Even Oprah Winfrey--she did a little interview about the auction. Why not BUY the items? A collection like this will never exist again. PLEASE! DO SOMETHING! Letting it go--it's like early archeologists who preserve the hieroglyphics while destroying the clothing and remnants of everyday life. The tangible history. Such a terrible loss.
No one I know has the money to save even a small portion of this collection. so Marilyn Monroe's iconic dress will go to a wealthy private buyer? Wizard of Oz, Gaslight, Sound of Music, Magnificent Ambersons, the artistry and beadwork of costumes. etc. so much more, an Agnes Morehead dress, the beautiful gowns of bit players....all gone forever. Shouldn't tangible, remnants, everyday remnants and iconic alike-- of 20th century film be preserved for ALL of us? Just as films are?
I ask Scorsese and others in the film community that can help--please do something, before it's too late. Can the writer of this Scorsese article write an article about the Reynold's auction, before it's too late? These items are the living, breathing history of American film. PLEASE! HELP!!
Posted by: babs | June 14, 2011 at 02:53 PM