New doc on The Dixie Chicks shares their side of the nasty controversy
"Just so you know, we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas." If you know who uttered that now-famous phrase from a stage at a London concert hall in 2003, then you might think you know everything about The Dixie Chicks, the Texas trio who, on country-music radio and everywhere else, are the top-selling female band of all time. But Barbara Kopple and Cecilia Peck’s new documentary about the Chicks, Shut Up and Sing, follows the trio of down-home cowgirl pickers-cum-stadium superstars from their bake-sale beginnings, through their superstardom, to where they never thought they’d be – with their careers burned up in the fires of an American political controversy.
Shut Up and Sing (the doc’s title is taken from one of thousands of threatening letters they received from former fans) is an intimate portrait of three women who are joined not only by their moneymaking music machine, but by an enduring friendship that, amazingly, withstood public scrutiny, boycotts, death threats and faltering sales. It follows the Chicks through their darkest hours, through songwriting sessions and tour-strategy meetings, and back into the limelight as a brand-new band that writes trenchant songs about what it means to be a woman, a mother and a thinking adult in these troubled times.
Kopple, one of America’s most proficient documentarists, first won an Oscar for her doc Harlan County, U.S.A. Her most famous doc is, arguably, the Woody Allen tour picture Wild Man Blues, and so she knows how to make artists trust her camera – especially artists used to hostile public scrutiny.
"We try to keep [the camera] away from the people so that it’s not in the middle of what’s happening," she says. "And what’s important to me in the making of any film we make is that something is happening, people’s lives are changing, they’re in crisis, and what they’re doing, or thinking about, or saying, or planning, or strategizing, is so much more important than a camera."
Kopple says that for her, Shut Up and Sing is not only about a band, but about the current state of free speech in America.
"This was the journey of three incredible women who we watched grow, bond together, had babies, keeping their lives in balance, using this terrible crisis of boycotts and death threats and their CDs being crushed to make music and write music that came from inside their soul. These women would not be silenced even though there was this huge campaign to silence them that came from within [their own country]."
The doc’s most startling aspect is the intimacy with which the camera captures the Chicks’ business dealings as they take control of all the details of their tours, marketing strategies and the production of their new album.
Says Kopple: "They wanted this story told. They trusted us, and believed in us, and it was no holds barred. They control everything, they call the shots, but they really wanted people to see the way things really are… and I think their enduring, powerful friendship is what makes it work. It makes them who they are, and it’s more important than anything else."
Shut Up and Sing
17 comments
While the Dixie Chicks aren’t as well versed in musical political commentary as, say, Michael Franti, their statement provoked more debate (to use the term in its loose 21st century connotation) than Franti’s work may ever achieve. In a sense, Franti preaches to the choir where the Dixie Chicks have pressed on despite the overwhelming repression of their chosen genre. Their recent actions harken back to the outlaw country days of Willie ‘n’ Waylon, the former who is still active in his causes of choice.
This is yet another entry in the ongoing controversy as to whether artists should weigh in or stay silent on social and political issues – going back at least as far as Beethoven’s rescinded dedication of the Eroica Symphony to Napoleon. The best art stems from honesty and conviction – to deny any part of an artist’s self, political or otherwise, is to compromise their work. While I may not be the biggest Dixie Chicks fan, they now have my support for daring to engage their audience and not succumb to the passive pablum mindset of popular music, and for sticking their necks out in the harsh, jingoistic country music climate.
Once I see the film, I strongly feel that it’s made by a female director. All the tender families scenes but seems-foolish-insistence. Here it is: Barbara Kopple. And also you easily can make a conclusion: these are all about the female fighter.
To be a fighter, what I admire them the most is their honesty. This honesty is supported by the fearlessness and conviction. Did the Dixie Chicks think about the sequel before they speak out that famous phrase? I do think so. Or maybe not. But the point is that they didn’t just apologize to somebody or those people. They stayed still; they believed that what the fans like is what they are and how they think. We got a chance to discern all these by the-always-fighter, behind-the-screen Kopple.
Well, you have to give The Dixie Chicks credit for standing their ground and emerging that much stronger and enobled for it. In a cut-throat industry where the bottom-line is the only thing that matters, the band plodded forward – their sense of defiance, self, and creative expression strengthened rather than stifled despite the death threats, boycotts, and faltering sales.
we saw this film the other night at it’s advanced screening, and whoa! only in america could this happen… i have a new found respect for these ladies and what they did and went through, all in the name of free speech… never being a political band, they were thrown into it and handled it greatly… they could have taken the easy road out and not risked their fan base and careers, but they didn’t… and in the process, they ultimately became the band they were meant to be… more unified, stronger as songwriters, honest, unafraid to take risks… looooove the ending when they return to ‘the screen of the crime’ in london… bravo!
Any person worried that they would not like the documentary because they are not Dixie Chicks fans need not worry. I was completely absorbed by the whole Bush-bashing incident and what events made the Dixie Chicks the poster children of what is fundamentally wrong with the ken dualism the country has towards freedom of speech… anf I am not a Dixie Chicks fan!
We get to see the Dixie Chicks under a very different light than what the media and record companies want us to see. The three women are very intellignet and know exactly who their music is catered and make decisions on their careers that reflect this. They also know that this is a money-making venture and they carefully attempt to please while not giving up on their moral values. A decision that would subsequently prove to be costly for them in every sense of the term .
I really enjoyed getting to know about the country music scene and the corporate backings the band had for their tour. I liked seeing the Lipton company get into damage control mode upon the announcmeent and also hearing about Sony Music’s position in all of this.
Ultimately, we get to see three genuine women that truly care for one another and decide to stand up for their rights leading to an evolution in their music even if commercial success did not follow. Any music lover or person in American culture should definitely check out this interesting documentary.
By now most people have heard about the controversy surrounding the Dixie Chicks when lead singer Natalie Maines said “…we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas” on the eve of the Iraq war. The documentary depicts what happened immediately after the statement was made to where the trio are now. Once the newspapers picked up the story it snowballed and took on a life of its own. The film clearly shows rednecks and DCX fans jeering and being hostile towards the 3 ladies, one of whom states that the Chicks should move to France because they’re anti-American. As the protests grow, their music gets banned from the airwaves of country radio stations and copies of the group’s CDs either get thrown into garbage bins or are unceremoniously crushed by a steam roller! Wow, what a way for the White House to show Iraqis how great democracy is (oh you can say and do as you please just don’t diss the leader of your country or your life will be a living hell!).
In a clip of a Pres. G.W. Bush interview, the Prez said that the Dixie Chicks shouldn’t have their feelings hurt because people ain’t buying their records it’s so obvious that he misses the point. I love how Natalie Maines reacted to his statement (see the movie). This film isn’t just a political film, it’s also a musical documentary with great music and concert footage. We also get to see the Chicks record their latest CD (which is excellent) and what the ladies are like away from the spotlight. It’s interesting to see how they went from music darlings to pariahs to free speech reps over the course of 5 years. They are smart and savvy as the film shows how they begin to capitalize and market themselves to a new audience (they know country fans and country radio won’t come back), but they’re also mothers and wives who are just trying to raise families. Yes, they’re fearless and strong but they are also citizens who have a right to speak their minds. Best Doc film I’ve ever seen…5/5
Sometimes, it’s almost re-assuring for a documentary project such as the new Dixie Chicks documentary Shut Up And Sing to be in the hands of spirited and balanced (as well as talented) Directors Barbara Kopple and Cecilia Peck.
The verbal slip-up she (Maines) spoke in England that fateful day may have come on the coat-tails of general disapproval of how President Tony Blair interacted with President George Bush leading up to the Iraq invasion.
It was risky and it was honest, but it calls into question the whole idea of whether our musicians should be about just music or also being allowed the same Freedom of Speech we all so passionately enjoy every day?
Should artists be able to use their public forum to lend their own opinions to world issues? I couldn’t see someone in England shouting out to Maines to declare her love or dislike of her President that day.
So where did the comment come from and were her views shared by her bandmates? I mean, this kind of opinion spoken into a microphone is not something you can easily take back.
Perhaps, the documentary is a celebration of how the Chicks have been able to survive through all of this uproar, or perhaps it is a reminder how quickly a tempestuous storm can be created when your fans don’t agree with your point of view. How carefully drawn the line is between fan and artist and how shallow sometimes the loyalty is between adoration of your hero and wanting to throw rocks at you if you’re considered too outspoken.
The Dixie Chicks are talented performers and if anything, Director Kopple does not try to sensationalize their story more than the heat they’ve already faced. Perhaps, in a slower week in the news, their comment about Texas would’ve fallen on deaf ears. As it stands, they have not backed down and I have more respect for them now than when they received the initial coverage.
I had the honour of watching the Dixie Chicks perform live at the Bell Centre this past August and it was one of the best shows that I have ever watched in a very long time. The Dixie Chicks are very political and they don’t like the President of the United States, which is none other than George Bush. I remember the comments that the Dixie Chicks made about the President in 2003, which caused a huge amount of controversy because many of their fans did not like the way that the Dixie Chicks were talking about their President. I very interested in watching the documentary, which explains the side of the Dixie Chicks including the great music that they make.
I’d love to see this documentary. I hadn’t heard much Dixie Chicks music before their infamous declaration, being that country music is not that popular here, but I applauded them for standing their ground and speaking their minds.
I’ve since sought out their music and was pleasantly surprised. They have beautiful voices and are a cut above most country bands.
It’s inspirational to know that they are working mothers and that they value their strong friendship. It must have been quite overwhelming to be thrust in the spotlight in such a negative manner, but it did bring out the best in them. And so a new generation of their fans was born as well.
We need musical icons these days–artists who fight for free speech and illuminate what’s going wrong in our world. I had wondered what would happen when the Springsteens, U2s, and Youngs retired, but it’s good to know that there’s a new generation of musical artists that cares about the serious issues of our times.
Bizarro world is coming to an end. Ok, slowly but it’s happening. The Democrats took back the Senate and the House *and* Donald Rumsfeld quit all in the same week? If there ever was a time to watch “Shut Up and Sing” it’s now, if for nothing else then to appreciate the dark hole we’re all slowly escaping. Want to glimpse a nation gone mad? Watch as America (or rather the red state contingent of it) fell on the Dixie Chicks like the wrath of God for daring to question the madness spearheaded by Bush jr. This could have broken them, this backlash, instead it made them, it was their baptism of fire. A must see, now more than ever!
I have not seen their film yet, but I am eager to do so, and I have no doubt in my mind that it will be very good. I’ve been a fan of the Dixie Chicks well before there controversy of three years now. Since they made it commercially to be accurate. Anyway, after their controvery, I had even more respect for the Chicks.
If an artist/group I enjoy were to say something politically that may offend some, even if it was going against my beliefs, I definitely would not boycott said artist/group. And provided whoever in question continued to release good music, I would still listen to it, as I am all for freedom of speech.
I had the chance to see them live this past summer, and it was easily up there with the best shows/concerts I have seen in my life. Natalie truly has a powerful voice, no lip syncing whatsoever, and Natalie, Emily, and Martie are great musicians too.
Taking the Long Way, their newest album (produced by Rick Rubin) is a stellar effort, succesfully crossing over into more the adult alternative genre, although country, and many other genres can be found within. Only two songs on the album really are directly, or closely related to their incident. Despite the fact, the album as a whole came from the period following the incident, and the gamut of emotions that followed accompanied it, along with everyday things. So thanks to Bush, et al., we have a spectacular piece of music, and a quality movie to see. The people who got angry with them, and boycotted their music, smashed their compact discs don’t know what they are missing! Although I am sure many have since come around, since the Commander in Chief’s ratings have fallen dramatically, and the Republican majority is gone (Good Riddance!). Kudos to the Chicks!
That was my first reaction when a friend invited me to go to a free screening. My trepidation didn’t keep me from going, because, well, a free movie is a free movie. So, we go. First, the audience struck me as interesting. I thought there would be a bunch more stereotypical-country-lovin’ folks. Pleasantly suprised that I actuallyl fit in with this progressive crowd.
Although the movie felt long at times, it did keep my attention, had me rooting for the girls, and wishing I could tell the Presidents of the United States off in a very public way. The movie lulls at times, taking us off the topic of the scandal / reaction, to some oddly chosen background-information stories. Like the issues two of the “chicks” have with conception and their use of invetro fertilization. This kind of background information is not needed or useful in understanding the “chicks” and their motives / music. More background information in terms of how the band was started, the addition of a new singer, their personal lives, etc. That kind of information would have brought a better understanding of their reaction etc.
All in all, the movie is suprisingly entertaining and informative, and I must admit, I found myself cheering for them, and singing their songs after the screening….even downloading a song or two once I got home.
I recommend seeing it, but its not worth paying 10-13$ to see it in theatre, wait for the DVD release.
I admire the Dixie Chicks for not only having an opinion and voicing it but also for standing behind it. It is ironic that the U.S.A. would try to stifle their right to free speech since this is the place of its origin. As well, those”famous last words” not only showed the band’s genuine humaness but also revealed the lack of freedom which exists today – the freedom to disagree. I can not believe that they were under so much attack— didn’t anti-war songs originate in the 60′s ? Doesn’t the U.S.A. believe in their own rights and freedoms? and if so how could they deny them to their own citizens yet be half-way across the world fighting and dying for them?
Man, I guess expressing to an audience that you are embarrassed that your president comes from your home state (Texas) will get you persecuted these days. The documentary is an entertaining and surprisingly funny film all at once notwithstanding the subject matter. The people behind the movie were able to take a step back and really pull back the layers to effectively demonstrate the power of the backlash and of the network of activists the girls were up against, and how being an outspoken woman can be more threatening than a cache of WMDs.
Truly a sign of the times we are living in, this little film expresses what most are lamenting today, echoing past sentiments of ignorance and narrow-mindedness in the US government and its supporters.
Thankfully, the chicks’ fans know better, but there was a time when, I’m sure most of us, including the band members, must have been asking themselves if this was going to go the route of ignorance. With the girls receiving death threats and their CDs being burned, it started looking like the religious right or whatever we call these morons were regressing to figuratively burning these “witches” at the stake. Well, gladly, with their most recent offering their true fans have maintained the Dixie Chick’s status on the charts and have answered back with a collective middle finger to the wake of uneducated and seemingly spiritual people.
I thought it was pretty funny that they denounced that their President was from the same state as them. It is just as me saying I cant believe that Harper comes from Ottawa. What is the difference here. I think that the difference is they are stars and the media will always be there to pick up on this. Who cares what a nobody said in Ottawa about their Prime Minister. I thought America had the freedom of speech clause, what happened to that. I understand what they are saying, I would be ashamed to say that I came from the same place as my (President). Good for them. Dixie Chicks are great, I saw them in concert, love their music and what the are outspoken for. Good for them. At least we know some of us are listenning to what is going on in America.
I have been a great fan of documentarian Barabara Kopple since the seminal work Harlan County USA. She is an intelligent filmmaker with a clear eyed approach to her documentaries. Rather unlike the heavy handed approach of a Michael Moore and his biases, Ms. Kopple lets her seamless work speak for itself. The documentary opens up the Dixie Chicks affair by expanding the terrible consequences on them and their career by having the fortitude to speak out. It is sad and depressing commentary on the increasing infringement of the right to free speech that they were so harshly dealt with. The Dixie Chicks emerge as simply three strong and intelligent women who dared to speak their mind and were then immediately thrown under the bus by large portions of the American media. Enough to turn the stomachs of most viewers I would imagine.
It is a sad commentary that the simple comment by Natalie Maines nearly derailed one of the most popular country acts of all time. And even sadder to see the first amendment being trampled on.
I care about the fact that this group is outspoken, the fact that the media picked up on their jab at the presidency is all the more needed. If they weren’t with the big names in the singing industry their rhetoric on being ashamed would have never been publicized as such and people would be less influenced by their standard. And America is all about who influences whom. Here it isn’t any different either. So congrats to the Dixie chicks for their music and perseverance; if they want to speak their minds, LET THEM that ought to get others to do likewise until Bush is swept aside into the dung heap of history with all the other defunct and wretched leaders. It takes guts to speak out and to sing out!