Shut Up & Sing (2006)

A documentary on the The Chicks in the wake of singer Natalie Maines' anti-George W. Bush statement at a 2003 concert.

Directors:

Barbara Kopple, Cecilia Peck

Stars:

Natalie Maines, Emily Robison, Martie Maguire

8 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Natalie Maines	...	Self
Emily Robison	...	Self
Martie Maguire	...	Self
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Clayton Allen	...	Self
Billy B.	...	Self (archive footage)
Paul Beane	...	Self
Cindi Berger	...	Self
Barbara Boxer	...	Self (archive footage)
Aaron Brown	...	Self (archive footage)
Pat Buchanan	...	Self (archive footage)
George W. Bush	...	Self (archive footage)
Randy Carroll	...	Self
Dick Cheney	...	Self (archive footage)
The Chicks	...	Themselves (as Dixie Chicks)
Darlene Conte	...	Self (as Darlene Kegan)

Storyline

In 2003, the female country band, The Dixie Chicks, are at the top of their game being one of the most successful bands of all time. However with the US invasion of Iraq about to begin over frustrated worldwide objections about this needless war, one of the Chick vents off the cuff in concert about being ashamed of US President George W. Bush. This statement sparks a firestorm of organized and personal right wing attacks against the Chicks for daring to think they have the right to express a negative personal opinion about the President. This film covers the band's effort to ride out the turmoil that would leave their careers under a cloud, but would eventually give them a opportunity to grow as great artists who bow to no one.

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Plot Keywords:

band | right wing | singer | four word title | title directed by female | 

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Taglines:

Freedom of speech is fine as long as you don't do it in public.

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | Music

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Shut Up and Sing" is also the name of a best-selling book by conservative talk radio pundit Laura Ingraham. In her book, Ingraham skewers the Dixie Chicks and other musical acts who use their concerts and television appearances to voice their political opinions.

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Goofs

Natalie is wearing a shirt that states "Dare to Be Free," in one shot the image is mirrored left to right. Evident in the text and her hair are reversed.

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Quotes

Natalie Maines: Just so you know, we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas.

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Connections

Referenced in Jeopardy!: Episode #26.184 (2010)

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Soundtracks

Lubbock and Leave It
by The Chicks (as Dixie Chicks)

User Reviews

Wonderful and inspiring movie with a great beat

I also saw this movie at TIFF and thought it one of the highlights of the festival. Like the music that envelopes it, this film was worth the wait. The film shows the band as professional, very talented, and still growing in their musicianship and performing skills. At the same time, Kopple and Peck capture the personalities and heart that are at the center of the band and their music. The film is revealing about the American's media's trivializing of dissent about the Iraq war and the deep antagonisms within American society -- antagonisms that defy country v. rock v. pop v. classical labels. It clearly shows some of the ill effects of the media monopolies newly permitted by the FCC. The Dixie Chicks were ahead of some of their audience in recognizing the disastrous nature of the war but many in that audience have now caught up with those sentiments and the Dixie Chicks have broadened their audience and their music since then. The music is terrific! What a great film!

Details

Official Sites:

Dixie Chicks Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 December 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Untitled Dixie Chicks Documentary

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$50,103, 29 October 2006

Gross USA:

$1,215,045

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,902,212

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cabin Creek Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min 99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1