On April 18, Wilco's first live concert film is being released on DVD to coincide with Record Store Day. Check it out: ashesofamericanmovie.com/ The film documents five live performances from their tour last year. The film's director, Christoph Green, was gracious enough to share a few moments during a busy 'Premier Week' to answer a few questions. Thanks Eva for helping to set this up!

PR: Congratulations on the release of the Wilco concert film, Ashes of American Flags!

CG: Thanks!

PR: I am really looking forward to seeing it at Pittsburgh Filmmakers this Saturday night at 630pm. How does it feel to release a film like this?

CG: It feels great to finally get it in front of people. Specifically, going to the screenings has been very exciting. I think seeing a music film in a theater, in a social context, is very cool. I'm also psyched to show it in Pittsburgh because my sister will be there. I was bummed that I can't be there. It's the same night as the DC showing.

3. PR: What’s your background? Where did you grow up, go to school, and what music did you listen to when you were a kid?

CG: I grew up in Columbia, MD outside of Baltimore. Went to school for painting at the Maryland Institute and  later started a design/animation studio in DC called Tangerine (or Tangerine Studios).  I met Brendan while we were both working on spots for the Kerry campaign. We started to talk about doing a project together and the Burn to Shine series grew out of that.
As an adolescent it was all punk rock for me. Before that, Queen.

4.PR: How did this project, Ashes of American Flags, come about? Can you discuss what you’ve worked on in the past and how your previous films contributed to this project?

CG: Brendan Canty and I produce a music film series called Burn to Shine, where we film a group of bands from a local community, playing one song each in a house or building which is then either torn or burned down on film. (you can find samples and a manifesto at www.trixiedvd.com) We had Wilco play for the Chicago edition and they liked what we did with it. They asked us to film Jeff on his solo run down the west coast which became the film Sunken Treasure. We then filmed Wilco practicing before the release of Sky Blue Sky and that footage (plus interviews) became the bonus disc for the deluxe version of the CD. We had been talking with Wilco for a long time about how to do an interesting tour film and this what we came up with.

   PR: What are some of the challenges of filming a live performance and translating that experience into film or video? How did you try to overcome them?

CG: It's mostly the unpredictable nature of live performance. plus, you really have to be careful not to be in any way obtrusive during a show or you will throw off the whole vibe.
 

6. PR: The two iconic concert films, The Last Waltz, and Stop Making Sense,  must always be sitting in the back of your mind when you are working on a project like this. While I respect Martin Scorcese’s project, I am a really big fan of Stop Making Sense. I think the reason I like it so much is that Demme seemed to make some striking but unlikely decisions about NOT focusing on the lead performers all the time and creating an ensemble feel to the film. Can you discuss these films in relation to yours? 

CG: Stop Making Sense is one of the greatest examples of filmed music ever. We refer to it all the time. I personally think that The Last Waltz is massively overrated. I find the interviews and the soundstage footage really hard to watch but that's just me. I was very influenced by the Sigur Ros film "Heima" on this film. It's a music film that really puts a bands music in geographical context. That's what we wanted for Ashes. I had all of my shooters watch Heima, Don't Look Back and Woodstock before we left on tour.

   PR: What was it like to work with Wilco? How involved were they in the conception of the project?

CG: Wilco (and their management) were great to work with. Really the perfect client relationship where everyone trusts each other and they really just let us make what we thought was the best possible Wilco film. The concept itself was the result of a discussion that we had together.

8. PR: Can you discuss some of your favorite moments in the film?

CG: I really like the backstage section with Nels talking about his injury and Jeff getting his throat checked. It gives the performances a lot of weight when seen in that context.

9. PR: Finally, since this blog focuses on vinyl records, music and architecture, can you tell me what your top five records are?

CG: In no particular order and really based on what I am high on right now:

1. Come "Don't ask don't tell" - There is no heavier album. Sorry Pantera
2. Cat Power "Moon Pix" or maybe "Myra Lee"
3. Modest Mouse - Everything, but I'll say "The Lonesome Crowded West"
4. Bowie "Ziggy Stardust"
5. Pavement "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain"

Hmmm... that was hard. How about top 30?

PR: Christoph, thanks so much for your time and best of luck with the film. Can't wait to see it!