Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune (2010)

From civil rights to the anti-war movement to the struggles of workers, folksinger Phil Ochs wrote topical songs that engaged his audiences in the issues of the 1960s and 70s. In this ... See full summary »

Director:

Kenneth Bowser

Writer:

Kenneth Bowser

Stars:

Joan Baez, Jello Biafra, Billy Bragg

Cast

Credited cast:
Joan Baez	...	Herself
Jello Biafra	...	Himself
Billy Bragg	...	Himself
François De Menil	...	Himself
Deni Frand	...	Herself
Arthur Gorson	...	Himself
Tom Hayden	...	Himself
Judy Henske	...	Herself - Interviewee
Christopher Hitchens	...	Himself
Abbie Hoffman	...	Himself (archive footage)
Jac Holzman	...	Himself - Record Executive
Paul Krassner	...	Himself
Larry Marks	...	Himself
Lincoln Mayorage	...	Himself (as Lincoln Mayorga)
Jerry Moss	...	Himself

Storyline

From civil rights to the anti-war movement to the struggles of workers, folksinger Phil Ochs wrote topical songs that engaged his audiences in the issues of the 1960s and 70s. In this biographical documentary, veteran director Kenneth Bowser shows how Phil's music and his fascinating life story and eventual decline into depression and suicide were intertwined with the history-making events that defined a generation. Even as his contemporaries moved into folk-rock and pop music, Phil followed his own vision, challenging himself and his listeners. Not one to pull punches, Ochs never achieved the commercial success he desperately desired. But his music remains relevant, reaching new audiences in a generation that finds his themes all too familiar.

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | History | Music

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 January 2011 (USA)

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$18,211 (USA) (7 January 2011)

Gross:

$259,362 (USA) (29 July 2011)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"I'm Going to Say It Now"
words & music by Phil Ochs
performed by Phil Ochs

User Reviews

Captures the Force of Historical Events on Individuals

I went originally to see this documentary because I loved Ochs music - even played some of it badly at one time - but feared it might simply be a 'trip down memory lane'. But the film is so much more than a bio of Ochs and his music or - thank god - just an exercise in nostalgia. It really captured the power and significance of the historically altering events of the 60's - both for the country and for individuals. I wish everyone - especially young people - could see it. Ochs comments in the film that Nixon used the stereotype of a drugged out-of-control protester to present the masses with the false choice of himself or 'those'. Of course that strategy of fear and false political choices is not unique to Nixon - always existed and still does. Nonetheless,it still saddens and angers me that conservatives have succeeded so well in shaping the historical lens that most people see the 60's through now. Most people today simply think of drugs, sex, rock-and-roll, and self-indulgence when they think of the 60's. Lost is any mass knowledge of what happened in Birmingham, or to martyrs like the Philadelphia Three, or the work of thousands of sincere people like Ochs who fought for fairness. The film captures this split - how the 60's was really two segments - and just as Ochs lost his way after Chicago - so did the nation. I don't have a problem with the fact that there wasn't more musical footage of Och's music in the documentary. There was enough to present his music and place in the folk scene of his time. Other sources can fill in more of his music - and hopefully people who aren't familiar with his music will do that. One documentary cannot be three films - i.e. personal bio, musical compilation, and historical analysis. It needs to have a focus and point of view. And,for me, this film captured the power and impact of his music, and how his personal life followed - sadly - the country's loss of trust and hope.