Edgar Wright to direct documentary about cult pop duo Sparks

The Baby Driver director told IndieWire that he has been a fan of the Los Angeles band since seeing them on Top of the Pops in 1979

Following his 2017 heist film Baby Driver, Edgar Wright is to direct a feature-length documentary on cult pop duo Sparks. The British director shot the Los Angeles band’s concert at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London this May for inclusion in the documentary and is gathering archival footage of the duo.

“I have been a fan of them since I saw them on Top of the Pops in 1979 and when I had Beat the Clock on vinyl,” Wright told IndieWire. On Twitter he clarified that the film is not his only upcoming project.

“How about this little piece of news...!” Sparks tweeted.

It will be Wright’s first documentary though by no means his first music project. He has previously directed videos for Beck, Pharrell Williams, Mint Royale and the Bluetones. Some critics argued that the iPod Classic used by getaway driver Baby was in fact Baby Driver’s central character.

Brothers Ron and Russell Mael formed Sparks in 1972 and reached No 2 on the UK Top 40 in 1974 with This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us. Their latest album is 2017’s Hippopotamus, their 23rd.

Contributor

Laura Snapes

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
The Sparks Brothers review – Edgar Wright’s giddy tribute to the Gilbert and George of pop
The fanboy director’s exhaustive doc follows Ron and Russell Mael over their 50-year career as pop’s great arch humorists

Peter Bradshaw

29, Jul, 2021 @6:00 AM

Article image
The Sparks Brothers review – a match made in heaven
Shaun of the Dead director Edgar Wright is a perfect fit for the absurdist antics of art pop’s most elusive duo in this stranger-than-fiction documentary

Mark Kermode Observer film critic

01, Aug, 2021 @7:00 AM

Article image
Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché review – riveting take on British punk heroine
The X-Ray Spex singer is revealed as a mystic, rebellious working-class woman of colour in this valuable film

Peter Bradshaw

05, Mar, 2021 @9:00 AM

Article image
This Is Gwar review – bodily fluids spray freely in oral history of monsters of metal
In-depth rock doc about the unmistakable legends of heavy metal and their outrageous antics will be best appreciated by their fans

Leslie Felperin

19, Jul, 2022 @2:00 PM

Article image
There are no limits to where Welsh language music can go
The broadcaster’s new documentary surveys the last 50 years of Welsh language music and highlights its bright future

Huw Stephens

07, Nov, 2018 @2:39 PM

Article image
Martin Scorsese to direct film about Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue
Netflix documentary will feature new interviews with the legendary songwriter about his celebrated mid-70s tour

Laura Snapes

11, Jan, 2019 @10:33 AM

Article image
The best films and books about music to watch out for in 2015
From a Kurt Cobain documentary to Grace Jones’s autobiography, Observer pop critic Kitty Empire chooses the forthcoming film and book highlights of the year

Kitty Empire

25, Jan, 2015 @9:00 AM

Article image
Don’t Go Gentle: A Film About Idles review – fan-friendly portrait of punk’s anti-ironists
The polarising Bristol band are followed from their 2009 inception onwards in Mark Archer’s documentary, which honours their earnestness and energy

Ben Beaumont-Thomas

02, Jul, 2021 @7:00 AM

Article image
White Riot review – rebellion and tough truths in music's war on racism
Rubika Shah’s documentary explores Rock Against Racism, which united punk, ska, reggae and new wave against the National Front in the 1970s

Peter Bradshaw

18, Sep, 2020 @9:00 AM

Article image
Aretha Franklin documentary Amazing Grace to be released almost 50 years after filming
Sydney Pollack’s documentary about Franklin’s legendary gospel album had suffered technical issues and legal holdups

Ammar Kalia

06, Nov, 2018 @12:46 PM