Interview with Hello Quo Director Alan G. Parker

Before the premiere of Hello Quo  in London’s Leicester Square, I got the oppotunity to interview director Alan G. Parker.  With the release of the 50-year-spanning rock documentary on DVD and Blu-ray on 29th October, I sat down with the director of Who Killed Nancy? and Monty Python: Almost the Truth - Lawyer's Cut to discuss his most recent film.

We discussed the Spinal Tap similiarities, the rumours of a reunion tour for the original members of Status Quo and the challenge of fitting 50 years of rock history into a feature length documentary.  Parker also mentioned his next project which promises to be another definitive look at an international rock band.

I got to spend 20 minutes chatting with the director and found him to be a really interesting guy with a great love of music.  His visible tattoos and big frame but thoughtful tone make him appear the right guy for the job of making rock-docs.  I even hear he has a tattoo of Sid Vicious on his arm.

The premiere was on Monday night and as I conducted the interview the fans were arriving and the barricades were being erected.  I hear the band were around for a photoshoot but unfortunately I didn't get a chance to see them in person.  I recently reviewed Hello Quo for Filmoria and you can read it here.

I also asked Alan G. Parker about his favourite rock-docs and he mentioned the Metallica one Some Kind of Monster which I must see.  It's been on my Lovefilm list for ages but is one they have yet to send my way.

You can read the full interview with Hello Quo director Alan G. Parker at Filmoria here.

DVD Review – Hello Quo @Filmoria

Hello Quo is the 50 years in the making story of British rock legends Status Quo.  It delves into their humble beginnings and climaxes with (possibly not very) heartfelt hugging reunions. Director Alan G. Parker, who I was lucky enough to interview yesterday ahead of the film's Leicester Square premiere last night, has managed to persuade a huge range of recognizable faces to appear in his documentary including Brian May and  Sir Cliff Richard.

All the hits are here with amazing access to all the members, past and present, and fans will no doubt revel in the tales of Top of the Pops performances, drug fuelled recording sessions, charity work, and where are they now details.  The aging rockers make for great raconteurs and the Spinal Tap similarities will have you giggling frequently.

There is something for everyone in this exhaustive rock-doc and fans and casual viewers are likely to be amply entertained equally.

Check out the full Hello Quo review over at Filmoria now and be sure to check out my interview with director Alan G. Parker tomorrow.

Film Review – Hungarian Rhapsody: Queen Live In Budapest

Freddy Mercury is a shooting star; glorious for the short time you get to witness him in motion, but gone too soon, disappearing into darkness. Queen fans are already aware of the majesty of their leading man but newcomers will find this cinematic outing just as dazzling as the 80,000 strong crowd did in Budapest back in 1986.

Hungarian Rhapsody: Queen Live In Budapest begins with a short documentary that details the lead up to the Budapest concert. It features archive footage of rehearsals and recording, interviews with the band and behind the scenes access as they hit the road on tour. It is interesting stuff, though nothing new to Queen fans who know the history of the rock legends.

Read the full review of Hungarian Rhapsody at Filmoria.