Frequently advertised as a documentary about freedom of speech and its cost on business, "Shut Up & Sing" is more just an in-depth look at the Dixie Chicks, a country music band from Texas.
During a concert at an anti-war demonstration in London, singer Natalie Maines voices her disapproval of going to war and says "I am ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas". I noticed a few interesting things during the beginning of this documentary. In particular, that it took days before there was any ruffle in the States over this. A few London papers commented on it in articles about the concert but no concerned American picked up on it then. A few days later the Associated Press had one sentence with her quote, and then it started appearing on American conservative-right talk shows. Things for the band went straight down-hill after that.
"Shut Up & Sing" is a pretty good documentary. It has an interesting subject matter and they actually got some great clips and video footage. But I don't think it's as good as it could have been. I think the film-makers had an opportunity to further examine why certain talk shows thought it was necessary to try to destroy a band over a comment about the President, but no mention that they were playing at an anti-war demonstration in the first place. I think there is a lot more behind Natalie's desire to make a statement against the war and the President and if they showed me any of that there could have been more arguments against calling her ignorant.
I had known about the single "Not Ready to Make Nice" and appreciated them putting that voice in their music. I am much more impressed now that I know all of the songs on that album relate to the incident. "Shut Up & Sing" has made me a new fan of the Dixie Chicks.
During a concert at an anti-war demonstration in London, singer Natalie Maines voices her disapproval of going to war and says "I am ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas". I noticed a few interesting things during the beginning of this documentary. In particular, that it took days before there was any ruffle in the States over this. A few London papers commented on it in articles about the concert but no concerned American picked up on it then. A few days later the Associated Press had one sentence with her quote, and then it started appearing on American conservative-right talk shows. Things for the band went straight down-hill after that.
"Shut Up & Sing" is a pretty good documentary. It has an interesting subject matter and they actually got some great clips and video footage. But I don't think it's as good as it could have been. I think the film-makers had an opportunity to further examine why certain talk shows thought it was necessary to try to destroy a band over a comment about the President, but no mention that they were playing at an anti-war demonstration in the first place. I think there is a lot more behind Natalie's desire to make a statement against the war and the President and if they showed me any of that there could have been more arguments against calling her ignorant.
I had known about the single "Not Ready to Make Nice" and appreciated them putting that voice in their music. I am much more impressed now that I know all of the songs on that album relate to the incident. "Shut Up & Sing" has made me a new fan of the Dixie Chicks.