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Why
Britpop and "Live Forever"?
We thought there hadn't been that many contemporary music films
with ambition. I, for one, was fed up with the way music and British
popular culture was packaged into clip shows like I Love the 70s
or 80s with celebrity chefs talking about albums. We thought we'd
do something revolutionary and actually speak to the musicians.
VIDEO
 WATCH
our report on 'Live Forever', which includes interviews with
director John Dower, Goldie and Sleeper's Louise Wener:
(2,435
Kb/ 02'14")
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How
important was it to get the co-operation of Britpop's leading figures?
We made a pact that we had to get the big three - Oasis, Blur,
and Pulp. We got Noel [Gallagher] first, and we were still waiting
for the other two. I was very much willing to press on and do the
film. But my producer John Battsek said, "No. We've got
to get all of the big three." So we held out. We got them
by stalking them really.
Were
you worried that your focus on Britpop was too narrow?
We are going to get a kicking from some quarters on this film.
People are going to say, "Where are Radiohead?"
or, "Where are The Prodigy?" But we put our hands
up. We wanted to be selective. We wanted a steady focus in the film.
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Liam
Gallagher as seen in 'Live Forever'
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What
was the thinking behind the settings of the interviews?
We didn't want the usual, "He's a musician, let's plonk
him in front of a mixing desk." We were trying to make
them a little bit evocative. Noel did suggest Knebworth. A lot of
people think that's Noel in his home. But he doesn't actually own
17th-century oil paintings, I believe. Jarvis [Cocker] in a sleazy
hotel in King's Cross is how he felt on "This is Hardcore".
He felt a little bit dirty. And Damon [Albarn] sitting in front
of that dartboard in the pub is particularly "Parklife".
"Live
Forever" makes the point that the Britpop explosion coincided
with a period of political optimism. Are there any similar links
today?
I think Pop Idol is the ideal soundtrack for New Labour. It's
music by focus group. I'm sure they love it.
(Interview
by Jason Brest)
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