American: The Bill Hicks Story

Film Synopsis

Dir: Matt Harlock & Paul Thomas
Country: USA
Year: 2009
Duration: 100mins
Print Source: pault@madman.com.au
www.americanthemovie.com

The Sun July 18th session of Bill Hicks has sold out we're sorry (and happy) to say. No more tickets are available.

Known for his dangerously sharp wit and dark humour, Bill Hicks mixed pure attitude with confrontational stand-up.  When people said comedy was the new rock and roll, it was Hicks they had in mind.  With his righteous ferocity and risk-taking, America's outlaw comic tore into his targets and didn't let-up.  Tracing Hicks' career from his early teenage forays into comedy through to cutting his teeth in LA in the 1980's, and on to the tragedy of his untimely death at the age of 32, this documentary mixes interviews with family, friends and colleagues - all of whom cooperated with the project - with archive footage and home movies from all stages of the comic's career.

Familiarity with Hicks' work isn't necessary to enjoy this movie, thanks to carefully threaded footage of performances throughout, and for those who know him there's the thrill of watching the great comedian in full flow.  Many of Hicks' targets still run the world he wanted to save, and his perceptive assaults have lost none of their power.

Screens with Silence

Australian Premiere

Proudly Presented by: