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:

In the land of the free can you dare to be brave?

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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

Adrian Pasdar: Daddy plays lawyers. Look at me, do I look like a lawyer? It's the tie - it fools everyone.

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Connections

Featured in 50 Documentaries to See Before You Die: Episode 3 (2011)

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Soundtracks

The Long Way Around
by The Chicks (as Dixie Chicks)

User Reviews

A film everyone can enjoy

I just saw this film at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and wanted to spread the word right away.

This is a great documentary that will appeal to anyone, even if you don't like country music (which I don't). The screening was held at 9:30am on a Wednesday and the theatre was packed. The entire audience seemed to have a great time which added another level to the film. This is the type of movie that needs to be seen in the theatre to get the full experience.

Similar to Metalica: Some Kind of Monster, this film goes beyond the usual formulaic making of an album film, and into what happens when the real world intrudes into these insular lives.

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