D.A. Pennebaker’s DON’T LOOK BACK (Documentary)

Block Cinema (Northwestern University) – Thursday, 8pm
A driving force in the Direct Cinema movement, documentary director D.A. Pennebaker made his reputation with this 1967 film about Bob Dylan on the road in England. Taking place almost exclusively in crowded back seats, green rooms, and hotel suites, we watch from the corner as The Star holds court with soon-to-be ex-girlfriend Joan Baez, Alan Price, and Donovan, who is put firmly in his place when Dylan’s insecurity and arrogance manifest themselves. A simple portrait of the artist at 23, the camera rolls without much intervention, and engages the viewer firmly as we march towards a final concert at the Royal Albert Hall without shying away from his negative traits. Dylan now claims he was acting throughout the film, but eloquently sums up the Pennebaker approach when he tells a Time magazine reporter “The truth is just a plain picture.” (1967, 96 min, 35mm) JH - Cine-File.info