Film Festival to premiere documentary on The The's Matt Johnson

Edinburgh International Film Festival has announced plans for the UK premiere of Johanna St Michaels’ new documentary about Matt Johnson, founder and creative force behind 80s and 90s post-punk band, The The. 

The film, The Inertia Variations, looks at Johnson's life and career, his disenchantment with the modern media and his decision to launch a 12 hour shortwave radio broadcast, Radio Cineola, including the first new song from The The in over 15 years. 

https://vimeo.com/201827514 

Niall Greig Fulton, Senior Programmer, Edinburgh International Film Festival said: 

Captured at a pivotal point in his creative life, The Inertia Variations is an endearingly candid picture of this extraordinary British artist, and with the enigmatic Johnson valiantly exposing his heart on his sleeve, St Michaels has turned his hesitation at the artistic crossroads into a compelling work of conceptual art in its own right.

Accompanying The Inertia Variations will be a chance to revisit the rarely shown The The: Infected, a visual accompaniment to the band's seminal 1986 album.

There will also be two special events in relation to the screenings: an art installation, Radio Cineola: The Inertia Variations combining a striking steel radio tower sculpture with poetry, music, politics, film and architecture; and This Story of Yours, a directed reading of John Hopkins’ harrowing and controversial 1968 play. 

Gerard Johnson, writer, director and brother of Matt, will direct the reading, and there will also be screenings of his films Tony and Hyena, British thrillers which were shown at the 2009 and 2014 Film Festivals. 

Niall Greig Fulton added:

One other thing is certain. Whether it’s as cool ringmaster of Radio Cineola or as the mighty The The, Johnson’s own art is clearly now more resonant than ever, and judging by the state of the current political landscape, his return to the fray could not be more timely.

Edinburgh International Film Festival runs from 21 June to 2 July 2017, and tickets for selected screenings are on sale now. The full programme will be launched on 31 May 2017. More information on the Film Festival, including program and ticketing links.

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