Blazing Griffin, Adler Entertainment, Rock Action Records and Screen Scotland have completed post-production of MOGWAI: IF THE STARS HAD A SOUND and released a teaser trailer and stills for the documentary about the Scottish band.
The documentary will have its World Premiere at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, in March 2024.
MOGWAI: If The Stars Had A Sound is an exciting feature documentary following the independent Scottish band from their inception to the present day. The documentary is filmed and directed by Antony Crook and produced by Kyrie MacTavish (Super Special, Anna and the Apocalypse), along with Naysun Alae-Carew for Blazing Griffin, Marco Colombo and Mattia Della Puppa for Adler Entertainment. The film is produced with funding from The National Lottery through Screen Scotland. The film is Executive Produced by Antony Crook, Ray Black, Mark Thomas, Lauren Lamarr and Orian Williams.
Over 25 years and 10 studio albums—using brute sonic force mixed with subtlety and grace—Mogwai have defined their own musical genre and built a loyal following by staying true to their sound and true to their roots. The film takes us on a journey from their very beginnings, in the mid 1990s, to the band writing and rehearsing their tenth studio album in their hometown of Glasgow, Scotland in 2020 – a record made during lockdown. While at first seemingly impossible to make, they ultimately made history with it.
Antony Crook, acclaimed photographer and director, and long term Mogwai collaborator punctuated the film with moments of live performance and pre-recorded tracks capturing the essence of Mogwai’s near 30-year career.
Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite says, “We’re incredibly excited for people to see Antony’s film If The stars had a sound. It originally started as a short film around leaving Scotland to record in upstate New York in early 2020 but when the pandemic happened that all changed. Both ourselves and Antony persevered with the record and the film throughout the pandemic with the film growing throughout. Antony’s film tells the story of how we all came out the other side. I think he’s made something truly special.”
Director Antony Crook says, “I’ve been lucky to have worked with Mogwai for a long time, and I’ve always been moved and inspired by their music. They’ve created an amazing body of work and their music means so much to so many people. Getting the chance to tell the bands story was a huge honor for me. I wanted to make a film that the band deserve.”
Mark Thomas, Screen Scotland’s Screen Officer (Un-Scripted) and executive producer on the film says, “Mogwai are one of Scotland’s most exciting and creative bands, their music extends across iconic albums, bombastic live performances, and lush film soundtracks. ‘If the Stars had a Sound’ is a cinematic journey into their near 30-year career, from Glaswegian ‘Young Team’, to beloved international artists with a number one album. Screen Scotland is proud to have supported Blazing Griffin in bringing director Antony Crook’s vision to screen and its forthcoming premiere at the 2024 South by Southwest Film Festival.”
