Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story (2018)

It's a documentary about the life of eccentric comidian Frank Sidebottom who wore a huge paper mache' head and whose true identity was a closely guarded secret until after died. The 2014 ... See full summary »

Director:

Steve Sullivan

Stars:

Johnny Vegas, Ross Noble, Frank Sidebottom

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Johnny Vegas	...	Himself - Interviewee
Ross Noble	...	Himself - Interviewee
Frank Sidebottom	...	Himself (archive footage)
John Cooper Clarke	...	Himself - Interviewee
Mark Radcliffe	...	Himself - Interviewee
C.P. Lee	...	Himself
Mike Joyce	...	Himself - Interviewee
Gaz Whelan	...	Himself - Interviewee
John Thomson	...	Himself - Interviewee
Bruce Mitchell	...	Himself - Interviewee
Mike Doherty	...	Himself - Interviewee

Storyline

It's a documentary about the life of eccentric comidian Frank Sidebottom who wore a huge paper mache' head and whose true identity was a closely guarded secret until after died. The 2014 Magnolia Pictures film titled Frank was inspired by his sensational mystery.

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Genres:

Documentary | Music

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official website

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 March 2019 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Timperley, Manchester, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

£48,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Piece of Cardboard Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was financed through a Kickstarter campaign. 1,300 people donated over £48,000.

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Connections

Featured in Granada Reports: 18 March 2019: Lunchtime Bulletin (2019)

User Reviews

A beautiful tribute that Chris and Frank would've been proud of

Late 80s. My mates Baz and Bert kept going on about "I've got a papier-mâché head". I didn't know what they were on about. I was a normal teenager - not yet exposed to the wonderful world of the non-mainstream. So I knew more about FS through association rather than anything else. My interest grew further when, on my own in Budapest and craving any English language film, I went to an indie cinema and watched the wonderfully emotional film 'Frank' starring Michael Fassbender as a semi-fictional character loosely based on Chris Sievey's alter-ego FS. 'Frank' was written by Jon Ronson, who was in one of Chris' early bands, and also appeared, as himself, in this documentary. I'd say, if you get the chance, watch 'Being Frank: The Chris Sievy Story' and then 'Frank' the fictional tribute, as a wonderfully weird, poignant and, ultimately beautiful double bill portrayal of this wonderful anti-establishment artist. Both Chris and Frank would approve.

PS - I watched this film at the Brixton Curzon and I was the only person in the theatre. Upstairs, there was a stand up comedy night - and I heard no laughing. Probably hardly anyone there either. If this film gives us any message, it's don't worry about the audiences - just stay true to yourself.