Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road (2019 Brent Wilson Documentary)

[juggler]

Brent emailed me again and said that it is important to both him and Jason that Brian's fans see this film in theaters.

I certainly "get" that from an experiential perspective, but under the not-quite-out-of-the woods pandemic circumstances, I guess that makes me less optimistic about the possibility of personally seeing the film anytime soon.  I agree that watching a special film isn't quite as special at home on TV via Netflix/Amazon/Showtime/HBO/whatever. BUT I suppose I'd have welcomed hints about a deal with one of those channels rather than something along that lines that Brent is cooking up a great little art-house distribution deal for the second half of 2022. We'll see.  

[HeyJude]

Now that Icon is in charge maybe they won't screw it up.

Iconic bought a majority of the Beach Boys; the Brian doc is not under the purview of the group or Brother.

I would imagine one if not several outside production companies funded this Brian documentary, with an eventual distributor paying for distribution rights. Those are the parties making decisions.

While one would think/hope/assume Iconic, now essentially running the Beach Boys, would make some attempts to coordinate with concurrent solo projects, especially a bigger one like a feature-length Brian doc, ultimately I don't think this doc is running through Iconic in any way.

[HeyJude]

I'm the biggest proponent around of maintaining the big screen theatrical experience, and not just for big, loud action movies. I'd love to see a Brian or BB doc on the big screen.

But holding this film for a theatrical run is dumb. Pre-pandemic this would not have seen much traffic in theaters (and probably wouldn't have hit many markets/screens), and now it'll see even less.

A good Brian doc (and I have no idea how good or bad this one might be; it would be very personal and poignant, or if could be a puff PR thing, I dunno) would make perfect sense creating a bit of buzz on Netflix or HBO Max or wherever.

If they also put it in theaters concurrently, sure, why not? Or giving it a few weeks window that way, sure. But if that's holding it up for excessive amounts of time, that seems odd.

[UEF]

Agreed with that HeyJude. Streaming is the new 'theatre' for art documentaries.

I'm happy to be surprised on this, but I can't see people going to see this at my local Odeon/Cineworld, hotdog in hand...

[Emdeeh]

The state of Georgia is about to open up in a couple of weeks, so I can envision this showing at the local art house (which has been doing well with pay-per-view and private theater rentals so far). Still I expect to have to wait to see it until the DVD/Blu-ray release, like everything else lately. Streaming on a computer with slow internet frankly sucks, imo.

[Shady]

This June at Tribecca



Sorry for the awful screenshot, this site is not very mobile friendly

[Pretty Funky]

You’re right! Assuming when they say ‘have been invited back’, they mean they have accepted.

https://tribecafilm.com/news/announcing-the-feature-film-lineup-for-tribeca-2021

(near the bottom of page)

2020 FESTIVAL SELECTIONS
After having their planned Tribeca 2020 premieres canceled, the feature films of the 2020 Festival have been invited back for long awaited in-person premieres in 2021. Participating titles include:

Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road, directed by Brent Wilson

[Rocker]

Confirmed by Brian's Facebook account:


The Brian Wilson documentary “Long Promised Road” will have its world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival this June. Dates and details to come.

[Rocker]

From Brian's Facebook account:




Brian and Darian Sahanaja in the studio during the filming of the upcoming documentary “Long Promised Road.

[Rocker]

Another one from Facebook:




Brian and writer Jason Fine taking a break from filming of the upcoming documentary “Long Promised Road.” The documentary premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival in NY on June 15th. There will be other screenings and news following that first showing.

[juggler]

Quite a bit of new info here...
https://deadline.com/2021/06/brian-wilson-long-promised-road-documentary-tribeca-film-festival-world-premiere-1234770327/

God bless Brian for his honesty... but poor Brent. 

At one point I asked Brian which of the films or shows that have been made about his life he liked the most.

“Well Love & Mercy was the best one,” he quickly replied.

“You like Love & Mercy?” asked Brent.

“Love & Mercy, yeah,” said Brian.

“This one’s got to be a little better?” Brent said hopefully. “Now what did you like about Long Promised Road, our documentary?”

Referencing its title, Brian of course answered in a way that reflects what is always foremost on his mind and defines him to this day.

“It was a good song.”

[mtaber]

Man, I’d love to see the entire 70 hours!

[feelintheflows]

Another one from Facebook:




Brian and writer Jason Fine taking a break from filming of the upcoming documentary “Long Promised Road.” The documentary premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival in NY on June 15th. There will be other screenings and news following that first showing.

Gosh I can’t help but think if only Carl and Dennis were standing with Brian, life would be complete. Still to this day it’s hard to believe he’s the last Wilson. Very bizarre.

[mtaber]

Brian looks phenomenally great in that photo!

[Rocker]

Quite a bit of new info here...
https://deadline.com/2021/06/brian-wilson-long-promised-road-documentary-tribeca-film-festival-world-premiere-1234770327/

God bless Brian for his honesty... but poor Brent. 

At one point I asked Brian which of the films or shows that have been made about his life he liked the most.

“Well Love & Mercy was the best one,” he quickly replied.

“You like Love & Mercy?” asked Brent.

“Love & Mercy, yeah,” said Brian.

“This one’s got to be a little better?” Brent said hopefully. “Now what did you like about Long Promised Road, our documentary?”

Referencing its title, Brian of course answered in a way that reflects what is always foremost on his mind and defines him to this day.

“It was a good song.”

Billy Hinsche shared the article on Facebook as well and had this to add regarding the picture (for thos interested):

This just in regarding a new documentary - note: photo taken at The Hollywood Bowl during our soundcheck for the BRIAN WILSON Pet Sounds Tour of 2016 - and the film crew shot lots of footage that day …

[Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll]

"Brian also wrote a new one specifically for the movie called “Right Where I Belong,” and the filmmakers are not shy in hoping it finally is the one that lands him an Oscar nomination."

More Carl influence maybe?

[Pretty Funky]

Sad to read this story and the fact he doesn’t remember *he* actually posted a message back in 2015. 😞

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/06/07/beach-boys-brian-wilson-documentary-long-promised-road-tribeca-interview/7595064002/

Later in the film, Fine breaks the news to Wilson that former Beach Boys manager Jack Rieley died years earlier, in 2015. Wilson wipes tears from his eyes, saying the revelation "absolutely broke my heart."


Brian Wilson
21. April 2015  ·
I’m sad to hear about Jack Rieley passing away last Friday. Jack was our manager in the early 1970s and helped us a lot. He wrote the lyrics for “A Day in the Life of a Tree” which blew me away. I also had Jack sing the lead on that one because his voice seemed to fit the song. Jack was a real force on our “Surf’s Up” and “Holland” albums and I’ll always remember his kindness. My thoughts go out to Jack’s family and friends.
- Love and Mercy, Brian

[Awesoman]

Nice to see Brian is still active.  Glad to hear he has a new song in the can and another documentary waiting to be released.  Things had been very quiet with him for the most part during this pandemic (with the Colbert appearance being an exception).  I was starting to wonder about his health. 

[juggler]

Here come the reviews...

Film Review: “Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road” — Getting Close to a Legend of Pop Music
https://artsfuse.org/231069/film-review-brian-wilson-long-promised-road-getting-close-to-a-legend-of-pop-music/

"New documentary tells Brian Wilson's survival story"
https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/documentary-tells-brian-wilsons-survival-story-78290700

[Pretty Funky]

Finally....A clip! 👍

https://youtu.be/ONE4xpSgPsQ

[juggler]

https://www.thewrap.com/brian-wilson-long-promised-road-film-review-the-film-is-frustrating-but-the-music-is-transcendent/

" ... film is apt to become wearying to all but the most diehard fans of Wilson and the Beach Boys."

Sounds like *we* are good to go. 

[SurfJohnB]

I had the pleasure of seeing this movie last night @ Tribeca. I found it poignant and moving. It is by far the most intimate portrait of BW I've seen (and I've seen them all). To pull this off is no small feat. Some new wonderful insights into the past, some sad ones, and everything in between. It truly feels like you are riding in the car with your buddy Brian. Jason Fine did a remarkable job getting Brian to open up (you can tell how much Brian loves him and trusts him) and Brent Wilson did a remarkable job capturing some raw and spontaneous moments, as well as weaving the past with the present. Some of the most powerful moments are not in what is said, but what is shown and contextualized. Some great stuff with the BW Band as well.

They said last night they have international theatrical distribution for Q4 2021, and hope to be able to secure the same domestically in the US. I hope everyone on here is able to see this soon.

[southbay]

Finally....A clip! 👍

https://youtu.be/ONE4xpSgPsQ

Looks good to me. Can't wait.

[Sam_BFC]

Thanks for reports.
Any indication it might make it to other upcoming festivals?
Am hoping they have submitted to TIFF

[Emdeeh]

Hollywood Reporter's review:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/brian-wilson-long-promised-road-1234966499/

And ESQ's review:
https://esquarterly.com/2021/06/15/review-brian-wilson-long-promised-road/