ClashMusic has managed to get behind the scenes on the forthcoming Leonard Cohen documentary 'Bird On A Wire'.
Leonard Cohen remains a secretive, guarded figure despite more than four decades in the public eye. Yet a new concert film promises to show one of the most complete pictures of the singer ever to be committed to celluloid.
'Bird On A Wire' has been re-constructed from original prints, with the premiere due to take place at this weekend's Green Man festival. Long thought lost, the film was re-constructed by director Tony Palmer.
Music industry figure Steven Machat helmed the project, the son of Leonard Cohen's long term manager. Speaking to ClashMusic, the producer claimed that the film offered a near unique warts and all experience.
"Leonard and I have a past, and when my dad died Leonard ran away with our secretary. Took all his books and records back and disappeared. I didn’t give a shit as I wanted to live my own life, which I did. It’s all written in the book, I’ve done albums over the world. I’ve had more hits than any and more riches than ever."
"I’ve been involved in over 900 albums, in some capacity. I went to see Leonard one day, he really didn’t want to talk to me but he had to see me, and he volunteered he had this film. I was like “what do you mean you have the film?” He told me he had it, when I thought it was lost. So he gave it back to us. Soon as I got the film back I sought out Tony Palmer, the man who directed the film in the first place, and when I realised that the film was in pieces I needed Tony in order to give my father back what he really wanted everyone to see. For everyone to see Leonard. I got Tony to re-edit the film."
Continuing, Machat said: "He did that and in essence got a second opportunity for everyone to see his creation. It’s basically the original film as created in 1972 as best Tony could remember it. It’s gorgeous. It shows Leonard in that era when he was testing himself. It’s beautiful and I think it’s a testament to Leonard, a testament to my father’s memory and I’m so honoured and proud to be able to do this."
The film is marked by the atmosphere of the time, including a then healthy counter culture. "It’s a fantastic time piece, for people my age who wanted to change the world" Steven Machat claimed.
"But all my generation did is become the ruling order which they got so sick off. My generation may be the worst of them all, because they became the bankers and the monsters of the universe. What we’ve done is create terrorism through banks and through bomb dealers. So it’s really, really interesting and hopefully it will enlighten the youth."
To read the entire interview click HERE.