Patti Smith: Dream of Life (2008)

An intimate portrait of poet, painter, musician and singer Patti Smith that mirrors the essence of the artist herself.

Director:

Steven Sebring

Stars:

Patti Smith, Lenny Kaye, Oliver Ray

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Patti Smith	...	Herself: vocals and clarinet
Lenny Kaye	...	Himself: guitar
Oliver Ray	...	Himself: guitar
Tony Shanahan	...	Himself: bass and vocals
Jay Dee Daugherty	...	Himself: drums
Jackson Smith	...	Himself
Jesse Smith	...	Himself
Tom Verlaine	...	Himself
Sam Shepard	...	Himself
Philip Glass	...	Himself
Benjamin Smoke	...	Himself
Flea	...	Himself

Storyline

An intimate portrait of poet, painter, musician and singer Patti Smith that mirrors the essence of the artist herself.

---

Plot Keywords:

character name in title | 

---

Genres:

Documentary | Music

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] Palm Pictures

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 April 2008 (France)

Also Known As:

Untitled Patti Smith Project

Filming Locations:

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,703, 15 August 2008, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$30,918, 17 August 2008

Company Credits

Production Co:

Clean Socks,Thirteen / WNET

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was created over 11 years.

---

Quotes

Patti Smith: It's really funny when people ask you about that - How does it feel to be a rock icon? When they say that, I always think of Mt. Rushmore.

---

Connections

References Dont Look Back (1967)

---

Soundtracks

The Jackson Song
Written by Patti Smith and Fred 'Sonic' Smith
Performed by Patti Smith
Courtesy of Sony BMG Music Entertainment

User Reviews

Near Perfect

I had no expectations of this movie. About two minutes into it I got that feeling, you know the one, the feeling that wow, this is going to be a good one. So I settled back and let the film take me with it. It took me into Patti's world through a poetic portal in her self. She is the artist as a real person who touches, loves, nourishes and creates. Patti takes the viewer through her childhood, young adulthood, the Chelsea days, her days of mothering her children and tells of her losses and her rebirth into the world of touring once again. The cinematography combines with Patti's poetry to create scenes of dreams that you don't want to end. Because the film took 11 years to make, her children grow and mature into young talented adults so much like Patti was at their age. It is wonderful to see Sam Shepard playing guitar duets with Patti just off the cuff in her room sitting on a box on the floor after all the years that have come between them. There was still so much feeling between them like they were just kids again. I loved this movie. I loved the fact that it showed such a strong and tender woman who laughs so easily and is still so vital and relevant. The movie is about Patti Smith, so I don't see how people can criticize her for being the center of this universe. Her poetry may last forever.