Image Courtesy of Content MediaA new documentary focusing on Janis Joplin will premiere at the 72nd Venice International Film Festival, which will take place September 2-12 in the Italian city. The film, titled Janis, was directed by Amy Berg, whose previous work includes West of Memphis and the Oscar-nominated Deliver Us from Evil.
Janis, which was made with the support of Joplin’s family and estate, takes a raw, uncensored look at the lauded singer’s turbulent life, her path to stardom and her tragic death from a heroin overdose at age 27. It’s narrated by veteran indie-rock singer/songwriter Chan Marshall, a.k.a. Cat Power, who reads passages from Joplin’s personal letters to family, lovers and friends throughout the film.
The documentary also includes interviews with Joplin’s family members, friends and fellow music stars; previously unseen footage; and archival clips from such landmark events at the Monterey Pop and Woodstock festivals and the Festival Express Tour. In addition, the film’s soundtrack features many of Janis’ best-known songs, including “Piece of My Heart,” “Cry Baby” and “Summertime.”
“After attempting to get this film off the ground for seven years, I am ecstatic that the film is finally ready to be seen,” says Berg. “This has been a labor of love and I cannot wait to share Janis’ unique, intimate story with the world. Chan Marshall has delivered a beautiful, introspective voice of Janis’ by reading her letters.”
Janis was co-produced by Alex Gibney, who has directed such acclaimed documentaries as 2007’s Taxi to the Dark Side, 2014’s Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown and this year’s Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief and Sinatra: All or Nothing at All.
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