Song Sung Blue

HELLO MILWAUKEE!

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:30:00 +0000

Lightning & Thunder celebrate their wedding at the Wisconsin State Fair in 1994

I'm psyched to announce that Milwaukee Film, a newly formed independent organization dedicated to hosting Milwaukee's premier film festival, will screen the award-winning SONG SUNG BLUE at 7:15PM, on Thursday, November 6 at Milwaukee's historic Oriental Theatre. The screening serves as one of the launch events for Milwaukee Film leading to a festival in 2009.

Tickets are available at the Oriental Theatre box office starting today. [map]

“There’s been tremendous anticipation for the ‘Song Sung Blue’ premiere in Milwaukee,” said Jonathan Jackson, artistic director for Milwaukee Film. “As a new organization, we’re incredibly grateful that Greg Kohs chose to work with Milwaukee Film to bring this quintessential Milwaukee story home.”

I'm so happy to have the opportunity to share SONG SUNG BLUE with so many of LIGHTNING & THUNDER's fans, friends and family in the Milwaukee area. It's also really exciting to be screening the film in the historic Oriental Theatre.

When the theatre opened in 1927 it was among the most exotic and ornate palaces to have opened in Milwaukee with its Middle Eastern-meets Far Eastern decor. More importantly, its the theatre the VIOLENT FEMMES got their big break. When the Pretenders lost their opening act, they invited three guys who happened to be regular performers on the sidewalk in front of the theatre to take their place. And the rest is history.

Anyway, most of the cast and crew of SONG SUNG BLUE will be at the screening and plans are in the works for a swell after-party. More details to come. Anyone know if The World Famous LEON's is open in November?

UPTOWN MAGAZINE DIGS BLUE

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:30:00 +0000

Winnipeg's UPTOWN MAGAZINE hit the streets today with a nice write up by Aaron Graham on SONG SUNG BLUE and the Winnipeg Cinematheque's Neil Diamond-themed film fest. The write-up includes a short interview I did with Aaron several weeks ago. Its all real nice, however I think the "... grandmother's house" line needs a little clarification. You see, I happened to love the smell of my grandmother's house because it opened up long lost memories of Lincoln Log marathons, Tinker Toy think tanks, and an impossible Mighty Mouse jigsaw puzzle. All childhood memories I would never call upon without a big wiff at grandma's. Okay, this is getting weird, but don't tell me you don't have a special memory of a time and place attached to when you first sang along to Sweet Caroline.

Touched (in the good way) by Neil Diamond
Meet Wisconsin's Lightning & Thunder in Cinematheque's Neil Diamond-themed film fest
Aaron Graham
Downright cheesy to some, heartfelt and inspired to others, Neil Diamond has been writing and performing his own special brand of pop ditties ever since the 1960s and his first solo hit, Solitary Man.

As he performs at the MTS Centre on Sept. 14, Cinematheque is celebrating his estimable legacy all weekend by showing his sole venture into feature filmdom, Richard Fleischer's 1980 remake of The Jazz Singer, with Laurence Olivier (!) as the disappointed cantor to Diamond's gifted rock 'n' roller son. Augmenting that screening are Song Sung Blue and the 1996 short, Neil Diamond Parking Lot.

Song Sung Blue, ostensibly, is a documentary about the lives of married impersonator duo, Lightning & Thunder (Mike and Claire Sardina, respectively) that captures their day-to-day experiences over a span of 20 years. On the surface, it's a simple portrait of a rugged partnership both onstage and off, but in execution, it's so much more. Diamond himself has praised the film: "I'm honored to have my songs as part of this love story."

Hailing from Milwaukee, Wis., Mike and Claire are seen toughing it out through thick and thin, two dreamers committed to one another even when faced with financial drought and the amputation of Thunder's leg due to a freak accident. Director Greg Kohs' approach is never condescending and he respectfully treats his subjects with the humanity they deserve - a feeling gleaned even though Kohs never interrupts to put himself in the frame to make the project more subjective.

Uptown recently had the chance to speak to Kohs about the film.

Uptown: How did you come to know Lightning & Thunder?

Greg Kohs: I first experienced Lightning & Thunder back in the early 1990s, in Milwaukee, when I was filming a Harley Davidson documentary. They were performing at a festival the company had thrown. At first, we thought it was Neil Diamond, so we went tearing across the fairgrounds to see Neil and film him for this. We discovered it wasn't Diamond, but it was his music. Neil's music initially brought us together, and their passion and persistence to follow their dream kept us together.

When did you realize their story would be prime material for a documentary?

Well, they were always in the back of my mind, and I always considered them for a project. But it wasn't until '99, right after Thunder's accident, that I decided I wanted to tell their story. It was after that that I knew they weren't going to give up, so I wanted to help them and spread their message, and their act.

Were you a fan of Neil Diamond growing up?

My first concert growing up was Neil in Detroit. So, he always had a special place and a special significance - I don't want to sound too sentimental - but he represented something for me; I'm not sure what - like the smell of your grandmother's house.

TOUCHING YOU, TOUCHING ME: CELEBRATING NEIL DIAMOND ON FILM
Sept. 11-13, Cinematheque

TOUCHING YOU TOUCHING ME

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:46:00 +0000

The Winnipeg Cinematheque will be presenting SONG SUNG BLUE along with THE JAZZ SINGER and Jeff Krulik's cult short, NEIL DIAMOND PARKING LOT as part of a special weekend program entitled "TOUCH YOU TOUCHING ME: CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF NEIL DIAMOND ON FILM"

The films will be screened SEPTEMBER 11,12 & 13 at the Winnipeg Cinematheque. This special event serves as a nice ramp up to Neil Diamond's concert in Winnipeg on Sunday, September 14th. For more information visit [ here ].

MORE LAURELS FOR BLUE

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:17:00 +0000

I just received word that SONG SUNG BLUE has been awarded the BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE at The ATLANTA Underground Film Festival. Next up, three screenings in WINNIPEG on the eve of Neil's concert date in the Manitoba town.

THUNDER in NYC

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:28:00 +0000

I can’t think of a more appropriate time and place to screen a film featuring the songs of NEIL DIAMOND than on a HOT AUGUST NIGHT in NEW YORK CITY.

I’m super excited to announce that ROOFTOP FILM’s Summer Series will screen SONG SUNG BLUE on the lawn at South Point Park on Roosevelt Island SATURDAY, AUGUST 16th @ 9PM. THUNDER and her children, Rachel and Dana are all scheduled to be in attendance. The screening will be FREE and details can be found [here].

Rooftop Films' Summer Series provides a forum and an audience for emerging and established filmmakers who make deeply personal cinema, films that offer intimate looks into individual lives and distinct communities worldwide. In nine years, Rooftop Films has become one of the premiere venues, in New York City and beyond, for new, underground and independent short films and underexposed feature films.

SONG SUNG BLUE has screened only once in NYC back in February to a packed house at IFC Center. This NYC screening comes at a wonderful time given the many emails of inquiry I continue to get from New Yorkers that could not make the previous screening or have since learned of the film.

As an extra bonus ROOFTOP FILM’s will have a NEIL DIAMOND karaoke hour before the film that should be “off the hook”. All are encouraged to [sign up] for an opportunity to belt out their favorite ND tune and make a beautiful noise as the sun sets over the big apple.

TONYs COMING TO AMERICA

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:48:00 +0000

Great Lake Swimmer, TONY DEKKER will be playing a handful of dates in the U.S. beginning this month. DEKKER wrote and performed the chillingly beautiful score for SONG SUNG BLUE. If you haven’t experienced the GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS LIVE, I strongly encourage you to check them out. Its truly a magical experience.

Aug 14 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court

Aug 16 Lyons, CO @ Folks Festival

Aug 17 Manitou Springs, CO @ KinFolks Music

Aug 19 Iowa City, IA @ The Mill

Aug 20 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry

Aug 21 Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon

Aug 22 Chicago, IL @ Schubas

Sep 25 Northampton, MA @ The Iron Horse Music Hall

Sep 26 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge

Sep 27 Hastings-on-Hudson, NY @ CommonGround Coffeehouse

Sep 28 Brooklyn, NY @ Union Hall

Tony first learned of the film while touring in Europe when his manager sent him a copy of the rough cut. After experiencing LIGHTNING & THUNDER's love story, Tony offered to do whatever it would take to create and perform the film's score as the world premiere loomed only a month away. I’m extremely grateful that Tony has contributed his amazing talents to the filmmaking process of SONG SUNG BLUE and created a soulful body of work that gives me chills every time I hear it.

So grab your wife, husband, significant other, or all the above and get out to one the GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS upcoming shows. You won't be disappointed. TORO MAGAZINE has a wonderful clip of TONY in action. Check it out [ here ].

Embedded in this post is T. DEKKER’s cover of NEIL DIAMOND’s 1972 #1 hit, SONG SUNG BLUE. This recording is featured during the end credit sequence of the award-winning documentary, SONG SUNG BLUE. Enjoy!

MICHAEL MOORE digs BLUE

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:38:00 +0000

photo courtesy of Traverse City Film Festival

We are excited to announce that MICHAEL MOORE has invited SONG SUNG BLUE to screen at the 4th annual TRAVERSE CITY FILM FESTIVAL in Traverse City, Michigan later this month!

TCFF was founded by Oscar-winning filmmaker MICHAEL MOORE in collaboration with photographer John Robert Williams and author Doug Stanton. The festival is committed to showing "Just Great Movies" and helping to save one of America's few indigenous art forms-- the cinema.

The TCFF is by invitation only! So we are thrilled to have the opportunity to share SONG SUNG BLUE along side some amazing films currently on the festival circuit like MAN ON WIRE and BIGGER FASTER STRONGER. We are really psyched!! Participation at TCFF is an honor and we are so grateful for the opportunity.

If you know anyone chillin' in Northern Michigan at the end of the month, please let them know about this great opportunity to experience the emotional love story of LIGHTNING & THUNDER in SONG SUNG BLUE.

SONG SUNG BLUE @ TRAVERSE CITY FILM FESTIVAL

DATE: Wed, July 30th

TIME: 6PM

VENUE: Lars Hockstad Auditorium

SILVERDOCS [day 2 & 3]

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:29:00 +0000

Well this took a bit too long to post, but here are some pics from our experience at SILVERDOCS last month. The vibe at the festival was fantastic and the audiences were enthusiastic. THUNDER was treated like royalty as a special guest of the festival and entertained folks at the Friday night screening with a few ABBA hits following the Q&A.

THUNDER performs a couple ABBA hits at SILVERDOCS

THUNDER poses with some new fans at SILVERDOCS

SILVERDOCS [day 1]

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:54:00 +0000

The AFI Silver Theatre home of SILVERDOCS - Silver Spring, Maryland

Though today was the third day of SILVERDOCS, it marked my first day at the festival. The vibe is great and the audiences very enthusiastic. Several months ago I earmarked SILVERDOCS as a festival I definitely wanted to accompany SONG SUNG BLUE to. So after walking my younger son and daughter to their last day of school today, I jumped in the car and bonzied three hours south to Silver Springs, Maryland and wasted little time before taking in some swell films. Three to be exact. MY MOTHER'S GARDEN by Cynthia Lester, PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL by Gini Reticker, and HI MY NAME IS RYAN by Paul Eagleston and Stephen Rose. I was glad to finally have the opportunity to see Cynthia's film as it too screened at SLAMDANCE this year.

Spike Lee received the Guggenheim Honor from SILVERDOCS tonight

Denver Post film critic Lisa Kennedy and Filmmaker Spike Lee

I also checked out the chat Denver Post film critic Lisa Kennedy had with Spike Lee as part of the Charles Guggenheim Symposium Honoring Spike Lee. Tomorrow night is SONG SUNG BLUE's first of two SILVERDOCS screenings. I sure hope people show up. Its in the same time slot of some really wonderful films. THUNDER arrives tomorrow afternoon and I just learned that Jeff Krulik, Director of NEIL DIAMOND PARKING LOT will be conducting the Q&A for SONG SUNG BLUE. Also, I noticed in the schedule that SILVERDOCS has planned a LIGHNTING & THUNDER late-night after party. It should be really cool evening!

BLUE DOWN UNDER

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:30:00 +0000

LIGHTNING performing at Alioto's in Milwaukee, WI

Yesterday the MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL unveiled its slate of films for this year's festival and SONG SUNG BLUE is one of them. MIFF is Australia's most critically acclaimed film festival and takes place from July 25 - August 10. Apparently, during NEIL DIAMOND's last Australian tour it was reported that eight out of every ten households owned a copy of Hot August Night. Lets hope they dig SONG SUNG BLUE down under.

A MILWAUKEE STORY

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:53:00 +0000

Mike "LIGHTNING" Sardina during his tour in Vietnam

Last month when SONG SUNG BLUE was scheduled to screen at the Minneapolis International Film Festival, Minneapolis resident, Michael Doperalski contacted me to let me know he had grown up in Milwaukee, WI and was actually a childhood friend of Mike "LIGHTNING" Sardina. Michael went to see SONG SUNG BLUE at the festival and recently emailed me to share his thoughts about Mike "LIGHTNING" Sardina, SONG SUNG BLUE, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I thought you might enjoy some of his perspective.

You captured Mike’s personality extremely well... If I had to describe Mike to someone in a few sentences, I would say he was childlike, fun, energetic, loved performing - but was naïve about life in some very basic important ways. He loved music and that was our bond, plus he was admirably ambitious and not afraid to ask for what he wanted. He was a dreamer who couldn’t always focus his energy in directions that would have a chance of paying off for him.

Your film is extremely intimate - perhaps the most intimate film about real characters that I have ever seen. It left me emotionally churned and it was interesting to learn that the friend I brought with me - who didn’t know Mike at all - felt almost the same way.

... Mike’s story is really Milwaukee’s story - and could have been about any one of thousands of people from that city. Growing up in the same Catholic, blue-collar, unionized working class Milwaukee as Mike, I saw the traps that lay ahead and left in 1979. Milwaukee’s working class is FULL of talented, ambitious people descended from German, Polish, Italian etc. immigrants who were often craftsmen, musicians or scholars in the Old World. That strong artistic heritage is in the blood of many of the kids I grew up with but those were skills that were not needed by the employers of Milwaukee. My friends were not prepared with any of the training or encouragement needed to make it beyond minor dabbling in their dreams. I would dare to call it “systematic” as the Milwaukee I grew up in needed lots and lots of factory workers and actively prepared kids for that life. Pretty much everything - schools, families, social institutions - prepared us to be working drones and accept our fates. Family and friends would actually discourage someone from going to college as that was either considered not necessary to having a “good job” or that you were vainly claiming you were too good for those around you. Your world was totally geared to keeping you in your social class. Bars and churches were on almost every corner and both could medicate your feelings of a life half-over and hopeless.

I’m not naïve enough to believe this situation was unique to Milwaukee, but I do suspect Milwaukee has more than its share of frustrated working class who could have been accomplished artists, musicians, actors, poets, writers or filmmakers. Mike Sardina is one of them and you told his story beautifully. - Michael Doperalski, Minneapolis, MN

I'd like to thank Michael for allowing me to share some of his thoughts with you and for his support of SONG SUNG BLUE.

"EDDIE VEDDER IS A TOTAL STALLION"

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:14:00 +0000

Eddie, Lightning & Thunder @ Summerfest 1995

Today Jen Chaney of The Washington Post highlighted five films to watch at SILVERDOCS this year. Fortunately SONG SUNG BLUE was one of them.

The Washington Post
"Song Sung Blue": Mike and Claire Sardina were known in Milwaukee as Lightning and Thunder, a musical duo that consisted of a Neil Diamond impersonator and a woman who could belt the hell out of Patsy Cline tunes. But after a horrible accident, it became unclear whether this team could continue, either onstage or as a married couple. That's the premise behind "Song Sung Blue," a thoroughly compelling and incredibly touching documentary that demonstrates how living one's dreams is equal parts delusion and inspiration. Also, for reasons that only this documentary can explain, "Song Sung Blue" proves once and for all that Eddie Vedder is a total stallion. (Screens Friday, June 20 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 21 at 11:15 p.m.) - Jen Chaney

SILVERDOCS PREVIEW

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 02:36:00 +0000

Lightning & Thunder family wedding portrait - 1989

This week marks the beginning of SILVERDOCS. Now in its sixth year the international film festival runs June 16-23 at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in the Washington, DC area. SONG SUNG BLUE will be screening twice at the festival and is one of six films selected to participate in the festival's Music Competition. The following clips are from a couple recent SILVERDOCS previews:

Washington Times - Kelly Jane Torrance
... One doc competing for that music award could end up as an audience favorite. "Song Sung Blue" is the kitschy, crazy, tenderhearted story of Lightning & Thunder - otherwise known as Mike and Claire Sardina - a Milwaukee covers act. Lightning is a Neil Diamond impersonator - he sounds just like him - while Thunder specializes in Patsy Cline. Director Greg Kohs details how the pair met and fell in love and looked to be on an unlikely road to stardom until a car plowed into Claire while she was gardening, resulting in the loss of her foot. They go from being joined by Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder onstage to having trouble booking shows when Claire's medication causes her weight to balloon. The doc was made over eight years and includes some home-shot footage that is so unflattering it's amazing the Sardinas passed it on.

Washington City Paper - Tricia Olszewski
Surprisingly, the tragedy of Song Sung Blue isn’t the sight of audiences going apeshit over a cheesy Neil Diamond tribute act named Lightning & Thunder. Yes, it’s easy to imagine that the dudes babbling about how much they love Mike (Lightning) and Claire (Thunder) Sardina are probably drunk. And it’s definitely cringe-inducing when the husband and wife bring out a game but slightly embarrassed-looking Eddie Vedder to sing “Forever in Blue Jeans” with them at Milwaukee’s 1995 Summerfest. But as much as you may find Mike a little creepy (just wait for the torso shots of him stumbling around in gigantic, not-so-tightie whities) and both of them delusional (he may be a decent impersonator, but she’s far from the advertised second coming of Patsy Cline), you can’t help but feel for these people as they doggedly struggle to make it big well past the age when anyone usually does. Working with eight years of footage, director Greg Kohs captures an unfathomable number of setbacks in the couple’s lives, including accidents, addictions, money problems, and a household (they have two kids) in which screaming is the predominant form of communication. Kohs isn’t great about context, and the film’s biggest failing is the distracting lack of a timeline—it’s not until later in the doc, for instance, that we find out the year of the couple’s Vedder encounter. But though the narrative is imperfectly told, Kohs achieves the nearly impossible: Eventually, you stop snickering at the Sardinas’ trailer-trashness and empathize with the humanity beneath their glitter.

One of my goals in making the film was to capture the heart and humanity underneath the sequins and stereotypes. Fortunately SONG SUNG BLUE achieved "the nearly impossible" for Tricia as it has for numerous festival audiences in the last 4 months.

THUNDER is scheduled to be in attendance for the Q&A at both SILVERDOCS screenings and may even perform a few songs after the Friday night screening. If you know anyone in the DC area that you think would enjoy Lightning & Thunder's story, please encourage them to come check out SONG SUNG BLUE.

SONG SUNG BLUE SILVERDOCS SCREENINGS
FRI JUNE 20 8:00PM
SAT JUNE 21 11:15PM

As always, Thank you for your continued interest and support of SONG SUNG BLUE. I really appreciate it.

THE RIDE

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:13:00 +0000

Back in January when Neil Diamond and Eddie Vedder each called to express their enthusiasm and support for SONG SUNG BLUE, I took note that they had both given me identical advice, “… enjoy the ride”.

THUNDER reacts after an unexpected phone call from NEIL DIAMOND before the SLAMDANCE premiere

At that moment in time “The Ride” was an exhilarating rush of emotion as we were less than an hour away from SONG SUNG BLUE’s World Premiere. Now, after nearly 10 years making the film and over 6 months of caring for SONG SUNG BLUE on the festival circuit, in the press and elsewhere I'm starting to understand better what Neil and Eddie may have meant when they gave me their "Enjoy the Ride" advice.

Its as though I’ve mounted this crazy rodeo bull that was let out of the gate at SLAMDANCE back in January and I’ve been doing my best to hang on. Any time I’ve tried to control or steer the beast in a particular direction, its reminded me that I have little control. So therefor I’ve concluded that if I’m to truly ENJOY the ride, Its critical that I keep in rhythm with the peaks and valleys and most importantly maintain balance.

Being a commercial director that travels for a living creates an enormous amount of challenges to maintaining the delicate balance of life (husband/father/director). Toss in the at-times seemingly unbalanceable responsibility of sharing an award-winning documentary with festival audiences and beyond, and there you have "the ride" and the challenges of enjoying it.

Thankfully the only expectation I've every had for SONG SUNG BLUE is that I would be able to share LIGHTNING & THUNDER'S story with audiences. At the moment, those audiences are at film festivals. Some people have asked if it bums me out that several of the "major" festivals passed on BLUE? Perhaps a bit, but it also heightens my appreciation for the times when the smallest of festival calls excitedly to talk about BLUE and ask to share the film in their program.

Several years ago when I was shooting a commercial campaign for Disney, we were filming on the riverboat that paddles around Frontierland. We must have made about 50 consecutive voyages during the course of shooting and every time the riverboat returned to dock, a very Disney-like audio recording of Mark Twain would leave passengers with one last thought "... remember, always do right."

As a first-time indie-filmmaker with no agent, rep, distributor, investors or trust fund, I'm simply moving forward with what seems right and most importantly allows me to maintain the balance of life. During the entire process of making and now sharing SONG SUNG BLUE I've been continually reminded of something LIGHTNING once said to THUNDER when she became impatient while they drove to a gig, "Relax Thunder, we'll get there faster going slower."

Whether its like riding on a bull or a riverboat, one thing is for sure, SONG SUNG BLUE has definitely been a RIDE, and one I hope to continue to enjoy despite its many twists and turns.

Next up - SEATTLE tonight then WATERFRONT, SILVERDOCS and MELBOURNE in the coming weeks. Thanks for checking in and for your continued support of SONG SUNG BLUE... and remember...

SIFF '08 SONG REVIEW

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Fri, 23 May 2008 02:54:00 +0000

SONG SUNG BLUE will be screening at the SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL next week. I came across this swell review at KEXP today. Check it out:

What is most resonant about Greg Kohs’ Sung Song Blue is the raw desperation to succeed that characterizes Neil Diamond impersonator “Lightning” Mike Sardina. Sardina’s passion, both on and off the stage, was unmistakable and he experienced pure unadulterated joy when he was crooning for a crowd whether it was 3 or 30,000 people. I was wholly unprepared to experience the life of Sardina and his wife Claire, who made up the Milwaukee-based duo Lightning & Thunder. When Claire was struck by a car and lost part of her leg, he struggled to get their career back on track after having experienced their equivalent of 15 minutes of fame-performing “Forever in Blue Jeans” with Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder. The accident took a greater toll on the couple than they could ever have imagined as the realities of trying to perform with a disability mingled with turmoil in their family life. Eventually, invitations to perform all but ended, plunging them into financial despair, and Claire began to doubt their future as performers even though Mike, relentless as always, believed their big break was right around the corner.
Raw and realistic throughout, Kohs’ documentary reveals the family fighting and the disappointment and utter exasperation felt by those closest to Lightning & Thunder in scenes that are sometimes difficult to watch, but overall the film is both charming and passionate, as it is balanced with many happier moments too — footage of them smooching on stage as well as scenes from their wedding at the Wisconsin State Fair. It’s touching to see just how in love with each other they were.
When you read the synopsis for Song Sung Blue, it’s easy to assume the film is a kitschy and somewhat light-hearted look at a couple of celebrity impersonators overcoming the odds after a tragedy — somewhat like aVH1 Behind the Music episode — but this first independent feature-length documentary from director/producer Kohs (better known as a sports filmmaker) is surprising in its depth and poignancy.
On a personal note: I could have lived without the gratuitous shots of Mike in his tightie whities, though.

AIN'T IT COOL NEWS on BLUE

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:17:00 +0000

CAPONE recently screened SONG SUNG BLUE and filed this report today @ AIN'T IT COOL NEWS.

Hey everyone. Capone in Chicago here. By sheer coincidence, I wrote reviews of two documentaries in the same day, the subjects of which I saw at two separate Pearl Jam concerts. One film, BODY OF WAR, is opening slowly across the country right now; the subject is a young Iraq veteran who appeared on stage with Pearl Jam at last year's Lollapalooza, which I attended. The subjects of the other film, SONG SUNG BLUE, are of an entirely different variety. In the summer of 1995, I saw one of my first Pearl Jam shows at Milwaukee Summerfest. For the first encore, Eddie Vedder brought out a husband-and-wife team knows as Lightning & Thunder, a local Neil Diamond tribute act that was playing in front of the largest crowd of their entire career. The pair (plus Vedder) sang a rousing rendition of "Forever In Blue Jeans" that I eventually got a bootleg of, one that I still play frequently just to listen to how excited the two were on stage. Every so often, I'd spot the group's name in the listings for Chicago concerts, and they seemed to eek out a good living playing small clubs around the Midwest.
Imagine my surprise when an email drops in my box a couple weeks ago from Greg Kohs, the director of SONG SUNG BLUE, a documentary about Lightning & Thunder. This man had no idea that I saw them perform at the high point of their career some 13 years ago, but when I heard the film was about this remarkable team, I said "Send me a copy of that movie NOW!" I had to see whatever become of this little piece of music history. SONG SUNG BLUE tells the story of the dynamic duo's rise and fall and rise and fall. Their story is perhaps not unusual for some working-class folks from Milwaukee, but for Mike and Claire Sardina, there was a time when Lightning & Thunder were one of the biggest acts in the area, playing state fairs, clubs, and other high-profile gigs (including that Pearl Jam appearance) throughout the 1990s. SONG SUNG BLUE isn't a movie about the job of being in a tribute band; that film has been done before. No, this movie is about this couple and their two kids (actually Claire's kids from a previous marriage) going through some of the worst times a family can go through and still coming out hopeful and full of dreams.
You can choose to look at SONG SUNG BLUE as the ultimate American tragedy or the classic American success story. I see it as prime examples of both. Some of what impacts the Lightning & Thunder story is totally out of their control (a car that hits Claire while she's gardening in her front lawn); while certain failures are of their own doing (their non-stop smoking leads to major health issues). But every triumph is one of their own making, gotten through hard work and never giving up on their dreams. And for some strange, unknown reason, not only did they allow cameras into their lives to document their story, but they have home movies of some of their darkest hours. It's sometimes too painful to watch, let alone contemplate their losses.
I absolutely live to discover films like this, ones that present us with this small sliver of life that so perfectly exemplifies the parts of us that cling to a moment in our lives when we were on top, whether it be your time on a sports team in high school, or when you met someone famous, or when you were interviewed on TV or for the local paper. We all have those moments we look back on during our darkest days to inspire us and strive to achieve some of that glory one more time. Often times, people never get to relive or recapture those moments, but sometimes you get pretty damn close. SONG SUNG BLUE is about almost reaching that place one last time, and realizing that getting close is sometimes exactly what you need. But the film is also a touching love story between Lightning and Thunder, a coupling that is as volatile as it is inspiring.
SONG SUNG BLUE is just starting to make the festival circuit as it probably will for the better part of the year. If you're in a city with a decent festival for docs, start lobbying to get this film to play in your town. I'm just here to put a bug in your ear and tell you to keep an eye out for this remarkable little movie that is equal parts celebration and cautionary tale. The film ends with the gift of a guitar from an unlikely and unexpected source, and the keepsake illustrates what the film stands is all about and it's a beautiful tribute to two bizarre and lovely people. Seek this one out in your corner of the world.
Capone

More MFF2008 Reaction

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sun, 04 May 2008 15:17:00 +0000

Jay Berg from Jay Berg's Cinema Diary has these thoughts after screening SONG SUNG BLUE yesterday at the Maryland Film Festival.

How ironic that my first 2 films today were documentaries that focused on people who pursued their dreams who thought nothing of the possible resulting consequences despite the incredible obstacles they faced as a result of the pursuit. First up was the amazing "Song Sung Blue" (*** 1/2) which won both the Grand Jury Award and the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 2008 Slamdance Film Festival. Being an aspiring musician in several rock bands in my early 20's, I have always had a keen interest in films dealing with individuals who went to extreme lengths to make it in the fickle world of entertainment. Luckily, I woke up in time to realize that dreams don't always pay the bills. So, I abandoned these ideas when I joined the thousands and thousands of people (many of whom were way more talented) on the sidelines. I also understood that one needed a ton of luck to go along with talent-and even then you had to have extreme tunnel vision to be relentless in making it happen no matter the consequences. Greg Kohs's wonderful documentary deals with the Milwaukee husband and wife duo Mike and Claire Sardina (known as Lightning and Thunder) and uses a decades worth of footage to bring this fascinating story to the screen. The film focuses on Mike's (Lightning) obsession to make it "big" by performing mainly Neil Diamond material (along with those of Patsy Cline and ABBA). Not only did Mike resemble the pop icon, he also had the sound and inflections of Diamond down pat. They became local icons in Milwaukee and hit it big when they opened for Pearl Jam in front of 30,000 people. It was then that Mike thought that that was the break they needed. However, tragedy struck when Claire was loses her leg after she's hit by a car while innocently gardening in her front yard. Their career takes a downturn after this, as does their personal life, but it wasn't enough to discourage Mike and Claire's dream to succeed. Their no holds bard roller coaster ride is fully exposed by the incessant filming of the duo through all their tragedies and triumphs. If this were a fictionalized story, you probably wouldn't believe it. - Jay Berg

Minnesota Daily Mini-Review

noreply@blogger.com (Greg) — Sun, 04 May 2008 12:58:00 +0000

This mini-review of SONG SUNG BLUE by Kara Nesvig of the MINNESOTA DAILY comes following our screening at the Minneapolis / St. Paul International Film Festival.

Upon reading the summary of what may be the best documentary ever created, "Song Sung Blue," you know it's going to be totally amazing. Oh yeah, baby - with a husband and wife Neil Diamond tribute band from Milwaukee, an accident that leaves one of them crippled for life, their mounting money woes, the tentative grip one holds on fleeting, fickle fame, and a cameo by Eddie Vedder, this one is a classic for the ages.

Greg Kohs' film, about said Milwaukee duo Lightning & Thunder, is alternately devastating and deliciously inspiring. He follows the couple on their difficult journey to fame while making a lingering statement about the triumphant human spirit and its ability to hang onto hope, even when things are bleak, when you can't pay the rent and health woes loom overhead.

Michael and Claire Sardina, who go by their stage names during the course of the film, get by the best way they know how: singing their hearts out. They were wildly popular in the Wisconsin area and played countless venues. Lightning bears an uncanny resemblance to Neil Diamond while onstage, so much so that sometimes a double-take is necessary.

Throughout their various troubles, all of which are documented in Kohs' film, the two retain their starry-eyed vision of fame and glory. Their ultimate goal in life is "to make people happy and forget their problems, cares, and worries." And though "Song Sung Blue" is at times difficult to watch because of its glimpse into the Sardinas' tough reality and its cast of characters are not always lovable, in the end you find yourself rooting for Lightning & Thunder; they fulfilled their goal many times over. - Kara Nesvig