Devolver Digital Films is proud to announce the digital VOD release of The Beatles tribute documentary, Come Together. Directed by Steve Ison and John Scofield, Come Together features performances by ten of an estimated 8,000 international Beatles tribute bands keeping the legacy of The Fab Four alive around the world. Come Together was filmed primarily in and around Liverpool, the birthplace of The Beatles -- including the world famous Cavern Club where they were discovered -- during International Beatleweek, five decades after the band was formed in 1960. Julia Baird, the sister of John Lennon, narrated the film. In addition to entertaining viewers, Come Together demonstrates the impact of The Beatles on global culture. Watch the trailer below!
The film's digital VOD release is scheduled for today, February 3, 2015 via iTunes, Amazon Instant Video HD, PlayStation, Xbox, VUDU, Vimeo on Demand, VHX, Gumroad, Google Play, YouTube Rentals, and others. For additional information, visit www.cometogethermovie.com.
"The idea for the documentary came when I went to Liverpool several years ago with a friend who performed as
John Lennon in one of the featured tribute bands. I had never seen anything like it! 300,000 people, like me, with the same connection... the music of The Beatles," says Steve Ison, who co-directed the film. "The quality and diversity of the bands was unbelievable. We had to share this story with others."
Come Together (Music Documentary, 2014, 52 min.) -- If music is the
Universal language, then The Beatles' discography is its
Rosetta Stone. The band's song compositions are an international language -- crossing borders and overriding cultural differences. Though no longer existing as The Fab Four, the band's musical legacy lives on through generations of fans and the thousands of tribute groups that "come together" worldwide to interpret and celebrate Beatles music. An estimated 8,000 Beatles tribute bands perform globally at festivals and conventions.
Filmed in Liverpool during International Beatleweek, Europe's largest music festival that draws fans and bands from all corners of the globe, Come Together is a tribute to The Beatles' legacy, a phenomenon that shows no signs of stopping. The lengths that some tribute groups go to honor The Beatles range from simple vocal harmonies to groups affectionately called "boots and suits" bands. Regardless of nationality, they attempt to look and sound as close to John, George, Paul, and Ringo as possible. The result is a creative composite of musical expression - Come Together documents the diversification among the tributes, in sound and illusion.
The groundbreaking documentary film, moderated by
John Lennon's sister, captures the spirit, motivation, energy, and interpretation of The Beatles' legacy through rare footage, stunning tribute concert performances, in-depth interviews, and personal stories by bands and fans alike.
Festival participants in the film have come together, from Tokyo to
Stockholm to Las Vegas, in order to share their love of The Beatles' music as well as the uplifting message it brings. The film is a tribute to this community as well.
After years of negotiations, Sony/ATV Music Publishing gave the filmmakers unprecedented permission to use more than 65 Beatles songs in the film. This is
THE FIRST TIME any independent production of this nature has been granted license for this many Lennon/McCartney compositions.
"I was more than pleasantly surprised by how Come Together captured the spirit and dedication of the bands that we continue to bring in each year for our event," says
Bill Heckle, Executive Director of International Beatleweek and Co-Owner of Liverpool's Cavern Club. "Both fans and bands alike will love the documentary."
• Best Documentary Film - Canada International Film
Festival 2011
• Special Merit Award - 11th Annual
Beverly Hills Film
Festival 2011 • Award of Merit -
Beverly Hills Film, TV & New Media
Festival 2010
• Award of Merit (Documentary Short) - Los Angeles Cinema
Festival of Hollywood 2010
• Special Merit Award - Best of the Fest 2010 (Los Angeles)
•
Heartland Film
Festival - Official Selection 2010 • Documentary Category Winner - Accolade Competition 2011
Steve Ison, Producer/Director - Steve Ison has been president of Meetings and Media, Inc., an Indianapolis-based meeting planning and media production company for over 20 years and a Beatles fan for twice as long. With over 30 years of experience in film, video, music composition and production, art direction, scriptwriting, and creative management, Ison brings his talents to fruition in Come Together.
A noted expert and published author in classic
Disney animation, Ison also consults for The Walt
Disney Animation Studio and Walt
Disney Family Museum. As a former director for the Country Music Association and professional musician in Nashville, Ison also has a deep understanding of the music business as well.
John Scofield, Producer/Director -
John Scofield is the founder and owner of Scofield Editorial, a premier video editing facility serving the Midwest since its inception in 1982. Scofield was also bitten by The Beatles bug in 1964, when he witnessed The Fab Four live at the
Indiana State Fair, and again, in London while attending the World Premiere of Help!
Scofield has produced and edited multiple music videos for the country music market, corporate communications projects for many Fortune 500 companies, and national advertising campaigns. Artists and corporate clients such as Lilly, McDonald's, and Microsoft have benefited from his award-winning talents. A trained musician as well, Scofield combined his music experience and production background to make this documentary move in perfect sync.
Devolver Digital - Based in Austin, Texas, Devolver Digital distributes independent video games and guides indie filmmakers through digital distribution and film promotion. Devolver Digital's outspoken
PASSION for independent games, developers, and fans has earned the company no minor measure of game industry notoriety. With its expansion into film, which was announced at South by Southwest 2013, the company applies that same fiercely creative devotion and digital content expertise to support and celebrate indie filmmakers and projects. Co-Founder and Partner Mike Wilson says his own experience as a filmmaker seeking distribution led him and his partners to expand Devolver Digital into film. That experience has guided the company's focus on "hand-crafted" strategic partnership and personal attention in distributing the titles on the label to a full range of digital and cable VOD platforms.
Watch the trailer below!
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