Bitchin': The Sound And Fury Of Rick James: Release Date, Cast And More
Even if you don’t know any songs by funk, R&B, and soul singerRick Jamesoff the top of your head, you’ve undoubtedly heard at least one before. Maybe you became familiar with him thanks to thecomedic efforts of Dave Chappelleand his Comedy Central sketch seriesChappelle’s Show. Soon you’re able to learn about the real recording artist thanks toBitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick James,a new in-depth documentarycoming to Showtime that delivers a definitive portrait of the man himself, shining a light on his unapologetic career, influence on pop culture, and much more.
Bitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick James Release Date and Where to Watch
Bitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick Jamesfirst premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival back in June. But this fall it will debut on Showtime onSeptember 3, 2021.
What is Bitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick James?
When the documentary premiered at Tribeca, theofficial festival program entryby Loren Hammonds described the movie:
“In this definitive portrait, acclaimed filmmakerSacha Jenkinsexamines the brain beneath the braids, charting his soaring artistic success and eventual personal decline. Sexuality, race, and the tumultuous stew of American culture all contributed to the transformation of the songwriter born as James Ambrose Johnson into the larger-than-life performer forever known as Rick James. Against a soundtrack that compels you to get out of your seat from the opening moments, Jenkins approaches his subject not with reverence, but instead with indisputable care as he delves into the circumstances that birthed this one-of-a-kind personality.”
The film is comprised rare archival performances, animation, interviews with family and collaborators and recorded conversations with James himself. Plus, the movie takes a surprisingly detailed look at some of Rick James' biggest hits.Harry Weinger, VP of A&R and Production Development, breaks down the likes of hits like “You and I,” the iconic “Super Freak,” and even some lesser known songs from earlier in his career.
Bitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick James Synopsis
Here’s the official synopsis forBitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick Jamesfrom Showtime:
BITCHIN’is an intimate yet propulsive look at Rick James, one of rock, funk and R&B’s most legendary and often underappreciated figures. Featuring rare footage of James' incredible live shows, never-before-seen home video, original interviews with legendary artists, collaborators and friends, and a treasure trove of recorded interviews with James (who died in 2004), the documentary presents a full picture of James' dramatic rise and fall, focusing in on the “Punk-Funk” music he left behind.
Bitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick James Director, Crew and More
Bitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick Jamesis directed by New York filmmakerSacha Jenkins, who previously chronicled hip-hop icons in the documentary seriesWu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men. Jenkins also wrote the documentary along with producerSteve Rivo(who worked with the likes of Morgan Spurlock and Anthony Bourdain) andJason Pollard, the editor behind films such asThe One and Only Dick Gregoryand Jenkins' own filmBurn Motherf**ker, Burn!from 2017.
Bitchin': The Sound and Fury of Rick James Cast
Since this is a documentary, there’s not a cast in the conventional sense, but the film features Rick James in archival interviews, as well as talking heads with those who knew him best. Plus, since James collaborated with the likes of Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Nile Rodgers, Eddie Murphy, Teena Marie, The Mary Jane Girls and M.C. Hammer, there are plenty of famous faces who chime in about the legendary artist.
