I’ve had my eyes on this film by London-based filmmaker Liam Baker for some time, there have been a number of fundraising activities to help fund its release including a great tribute concert last year that featured Daniel Bachman, Glenn Jones, Arborea, and Ryley Walker. All the hard work that has gone into its making has finally paid off, as it’s just been announced that Voice of the Eagle: The Enigma of Robbie Basho has been selected for Raindance film festival and will have its world premiere on Saturday October the 3rd.
Before his bizarre death at the hands of a chiropractor, Robbie Basho was sure that his compositions would not outlast him. Orphaned during infancy, diagnosed with synaesthesia (a union of the senses that caused him to interpret sound as colour) and claiming to be the reincarnation of a 17th century poet – the Baltimore-born guitarist and singer’s musical output was equally as outlandish as his persona.
In his brief and troubled life he laid the foundations for radical changes to the musical landscape of America during the 1960s and 70s but reaped little more than a sparse (if fervent) following during his lifetime.
Voice of the Eagle: The Enigma of Robbie Basho takes viewers on an entrancing journey into the heart of an artist’s lifelong struggle – designed to illuminate and satiate existing fans while serving as a perfect starting point for the uninitiated.
Featuring interviews with Basho’s former students, contemporaries and few close friends, including Pete Townshend, Grammy Award winning guitarist William Ackerman, Academy Award nominated producer of Werner Herzog’s “Encounters at the End of the World” Henry Kaiser and Country Joe McDonald of legendary 60s psychedelic rock group Country Joe & the Fish, the documentary integrates new information and anecdotes on Basho with previously uncovered visual material, alongside the majestic and spiritual landscapes that informed his work.
On Saturday October 3rd Voice of the Eagle: The Enigma of Robbie Basho will be shown at the 23rd edition of the prestigious Raindance film festival – known for uncovering the next talent in filmaking. Raindance takes place between 23rd September – 4th October 2015 in Central London and tickets can be purchased on the Raindance website here:
http://calendar.raindancefestival.org/films/voice-of-the-eagle-the-enigma-of-robbie-basho
