Lounge
April 13, 2015
INTERVIEW | Patti Smith & Director Sebring: Part 1
The Documentary Film of Patti Smith
“Patti Smith: Dream of Life” is Released!
Patti Smith & Director Steven Sebring: Interview Part 1
Patti Smith & Director Steven Sebring: Interview Part 1
Patti Smith. A legendary rocker who emerged in the 1970s, continuing to inspire the music scene with her unparalleled musicality, angry poetry, and unique performance style. Revered as the "Queen of Punk," Patti is also an artist active in diverse fields such as poetry, film, and photography, a social activist, a mother, a daughter, and a woman. The documentary film “Patti Smith: Dream of Life,” which beautifully captures Patti as "a person, a woman," will be released sequentially in theaters nationwide starting August 29th at Theater N Shibuya and other venues.
Our magazine was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to interview Patti Smith and director Steven Sebring. August 29th, the film's release date, was the anniversary of the death of Patti's father in 1999, and by coincidence, it was also his birthday on the day of the interview.
Text by OPENERS
Patti's "Brother," Director Steven Sebring
Everyone must have been surprised to hear that a documentary film about Patti Smith had been in the making for 11 years. How could a "Rock Queen" who expresses her anger so openly allow someone to follow her for 11 years?
"I've received countless offers to make a documentary. But documentaries feel like something you make about people who have passed away. Besides, I find films that ask my close friends all sorts of questions to be boring. I had absolutely no intention of making one."
The person who managed to get a "yes" from her was fashion photographer Steven Sebring. The two first met in 1995 when he visited Patti's home in the suburbs of Detroit for a portrait shoot for "Spin Magazine." In fact, at the time, Steven didn't know Patti's music.
"Growing up in Arizona, I listened to metal music like Slayer, Van Halen, and Metallica," Steven says with a wry smile. A few weeks after the shoot, he was profoundly moved at Patti's concert, her first in 16 years, to which she had invited him.
"The Patti I met during the Detroit photo session was a maternal figure. But on stage, it was a completely different person. I couldn't believe it was the same person. I was completely blown away. I was hooked like a fish, and I became obsessed with the idea of filming her. I wanted to travel with her, to understand her. And through film, I wanted to learn more about her... So I made her an offer. But at first, she just laughed it off."
What was it about Steven that broke down Patti's initial resistance and convinced her to make a documentary film together?
Patti recalls that time: "On one of the later occasions, he said, 'I'm going to film your entire life. Everything you do. Your artwork, your political activities, and your children. But if you don't like the film, I'll give it all to you.' That was very brave, and I felt I could trust him. So I said, 'Okay, let's do it.' Since then, he's been like a brother to me."
When there is trust, happy situations arise.
Even after the days of filming Patti began, their good relationship continued.
"He would follow me wherever I went, just trying to learn about me. And he did it alone. No crew, no lighting. He was just there with his camera, always by my side. I thought it was a very human, organic approach. My children also loved Steven, and he became like a 'brother' to me. Most importantly, I can truly trust him. Being able to trust the people you work with is incredibly important, and when you can trust each other, happy situations always arise."
"Trust"—this is a word that appears repeatedly from both of them during the interview. It is through their trust that the true image of Patti Smith, captured in the film, is revealed in “Patti Smith: Dream of Life.”
"I'm reminded of Steven at many points. Oh, Steven was here, or I dropped the camera here. I consider this to be Steven's portrait as well as his film. That's why I could tolerate a film that shows me for so long (laughs). I think it's a very charming film where my family, children, and friends are all captured naturally, and isn't that the amazing thing about this movie?"
She says that every time she watches this film, she fondly remembers people who are no longer with us, or reflects, "I've overcome even this." Steven explains why he was able to create a work where everyone involved appears so natural:
"Because there was a relationship of trust. But it wasn't built in an instant."
Although Steven spoke sparingly throughout, he commented on Patti, who, despite her unique aura, blended in wherever she went in the world, saying, "She's a chameleon," showing a humorous side. A sense of humor might also be one of the factors that led to the family-like relationship between Patti and Steven.
An artist is someone who always moves forward with courage.
Steven followed Patti everywhere she went, continuously filming. He ran out of money along the way and accumulated debt. Although it sounds like an extremely harsh situation, he laughs it off lightly when recalling that time.
"I was investing money in filming Patti like it was a drug. I didn't even think this film would become a movie, so I didn't have the concept of 'completion' or anything like that. Continuing to film Patti was truly what I wanted to do, and that was all. I could make money from fashion-related photography jobs, so it somehow worked out."
Patti's life, full of ups and downs, also had periods of poverty.
"I wasn't born into wealth, and my life has always had its ups and downs. When I met Steven, I had lost my beloved husband, had no money, and was at rock bottom. But our ancestors lived through much harsher realities. Compared to them, I had my beloved children and a healthy body, and that was enough, wasn't it? So, there was no need to lament or get angry about my financial situation. That's what artists are like. Even if there are periods of poverty, you have to accept them. And you just keep moving forward with courage."
Photo by Steven Sebring
"Trust"—this word came up repeatedly from both of them during the interview. “Patti Smith: Dream of Life” features the true image of Patti Smith, brought to life through the trust between the two.
“Patti Smith: Dream of Life”
Opening August 29th at Theater N Shibuya, Cinemaart Shinjuku, and other theaters nationwide.
Photo by Steven Sebring
Director: Steven Sebring
Producers: Steven Sebring, Margaret Smilow,
Scott Fogel
Cinematography: Philip Hunt, Steven Sebring
Editing: Angelo Corrao, Lynn Polito
Starring: Patti Smith, Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Michael Stipe (R.E.M.), Sam Shepard, and others
Country of Production: 2008 American Film
Running Time: 1 hour 49 minutes
Distributor: Transformer
Publicity and Distribution Cooperation: Zazie Films
Official Website
http://www.pattismith-movie.com/
Tokyo Hipsters Club × “Patti Smith: Dream of Life”
Collaboration Photo Exhibition “Patti Smith / Scene of Life” to be Held
The exhibition will feature large-format photographs by Steven Sebring and private shots of Patti Smith taken by photographer Yoshie Tominaga in New York and during her recent visit to Japan.
Period: Friday, September 4th – Sunday, September 27th
Venue: Tokyo Hipsters Club FREE SPACE
http://www.tokyohipstersclub.com/html/