NEIL YOUNG: HEART OF GOLD
Year: 2006
USA: Paramount Classics
UK: UIP (UK)
Cast: Neil Young, Pegi Young, Ben Keith, Emmylou Harris, Spooner Oldham, Rick Rosas, Karl T Himmel, Chad Cromwell, Wayne Jackson, Grant Boatwright, Diane Dewitt, Anthony Crawford, Tom McGinley, Jimmy Sharp, Clinton Gregory, Larry Cragg
Director: Jonathan Demme
Country: USA
USA & UK: 103 mins
USA Rated: PG for some drug-related lyrics
UK Certificate: PG contains mild drug references in song lyrics
USA Release Date: 10 February 2006 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 6 October 2006 (Limited Release - London, Curzon Soho and Edinburgh)
UK Distributor
Synopsis
An intimate portrait of the legendary singer/songwriter Neil Young, it was filmed at Nashville's renowned Ryman Auditorium at the world premiere of Young's "Prairie Wind" concert. NEIL YOUNG: HEART OF GOLD is filmmaker Jonathan Demme's (PHILADELPHIA, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS) intimate tribute to this country music legend.
In the spring of 2005, Neil Young - singer, songwriter, poet, filmmaker, artist - was diagnosed with a potentially fatal brain aneurysm. As lifesaving surgery was scheduled, Young became galvanized by the news and sat down to write. In those few weeks, Young wrote and began to record the album "Prairie Wind," one of his most personal and heartfelt offerings ever. "Prairie Wind" deals with both the loss of loved ones and the inspiration found in life's everyday events. Young continued to record right up to the night before surgery.
"The album is a natural unfolding of what was on my mind during this period, a reflective period," says Young. "Families. History. A state of the soul."