Shut Up and Sing

Told during a whirlwind of constantly changing media hype, Shut Up and Sing follows the Dixie Chicks from the top of the charts to their all-time lowest after Natalie Maines, their lead singer, condemns the Bush administration and Bush himself during a performance in London. Rather awkwardly, this occurred immediately prior to the US invasion of Iraq in 2002. The republican fans (who make up the majority of their audience) heavily criticised and took offence to their lack of patriotism and subsequently, they were banned by most local radio stations in the South. This prompts the girls, Maines along with Emily Robison and Martie Maguire, to unite and stick up for their right to speech. The peak of this drama comes in the form of a death threat, prompting the girls to take a break and return in 2005 to write a new album. This album is clearly inspired by the turbulent events of the previous years and it shows. The new album is a triumph, a remarkable change in direction for the group, and certainly, far more satisfying musically. Watching them write and sing with such honesty is a real joy. This is a terrific documentary. The moments that have been captured on film, I'm sure it's no fluke, are priceless; there are some wonderfully candid moments. The film has a great pace, is wonderfully edited and aside from a few stumbles exploring the home life of the Chicks, amounts to an excellent film regardless of whether you're a fan of their music or not. It's hard not to have increased respect for them by the time the credits role.

8.5 on the DaveScale.

(dir. Barbara Kopple and Cecilia Peck, USA, 99 mins)

Note: Unfortunately the documentary was completed before this:
Record of the Year - Grammy Awards 2007
Album of the Year - Grammy Awards 2007

Good on them. Also, here's a great clip of the talented ladies singing the award winning song from the award winning album:
Dixie Chicks - Grammy Awards Performance, "Not Ready to Make Nice"