True stories [DVD video]

"Music icon David Byrne was inspired by tabloid headlines to make his sole foray into feature-film directing, an ode to the extraordinariness of ordinary American life and a distillation ot what was in his own idiosyncratic mind. The Talking Heads front man plays a visitor to Virgil, Texas, who introduces us to the citizens of the town during preparations for its Celebration of Specialness. As shot by cinematographer Ed Lachman, Texas becomes a hyperrealistic late-capitalist landscape of endless vistas, shopping malls, and prefab metal buildings. In True Stories, Byrne uses his songs to stitch together pop iconography, voodoo rituals, and a singular variety show--all in the service of uncovering the rich mysteries that lurk under the surface of everyday experience"--Container.

General Note:

Originally released as a motion picture in 1986.

Wide screen (1.85:1).

Features: New, restored 4K digital transfer, supervised by director David Byrne and cinematographer Ed Lachman; New documentary about the film's production, featuring Byrne, Lachman, screenwriter Stephen Tobolowsky, executive producer Edward Pressman, coproducer Karen Murphy, fashion-show costume designer Adelle Lutz, casting director Victoria Thomas, consultant Christina Patoski, actor Jo Harvey Allen, and artist and songwriter Terry Allen; Real Life (1986), a short documentary by Pamela Yates and Newton Thomas Sigel, made on the set of the film; No Time to Look Back, a new homage to Virgil, Texas, the fictional town where True Stories is set; New documentary about designer Tibor Kalman and his influence on Byrne and work on the film, featuring Byrne and artist Maira Kalman, Tibor's widow; Deleted scenes; Trailer; A folded insert with essays by critic Rebecca Bengal and journalist/author Joe Nick Patoski.

Performers:

John Goodman, Annie McEnroe, Jo Harvey Allen, Spalding Gray, Alix Elias, Roebuck "Pops" Staples, Humberto "Tito" Larriva, John Ingle, Matthew Posey, David Byrne, Swoosie Kurtz.

Technical Details:

DVD, NTSC, region 1; widescreen (1.85:1 aspect ratio); Dolby Digital 5.1 surround.

Subject Term:

Talent shows -- Texas -- Drama.

Eccentrics and eccentricities -- Drama.

Bachelors -- Drama.

Mate selection -- Drama.

Geographic Term:

Texas -- Drama.

Genre:

Musical films.

Comedy films.