STILL BILL is an intimate portrait of soul legend Bill Withers, best known for his classics “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean On Me,” “Lovely Day,” “Grandma’s Hands,” and “Just the Two of Us.” With his soulful delivery and warm, heartfelt sincerity, Withers has written the songs that have – and always will – resonate deeply within the fabric of our times. Filmmakers Damani Baker and Alex Vlack follow Withers and offer a unique and rare look inside the world of this fascinating man. Through concert footage, journeys to his birthplace, interviews with music legends, his family and closest friends, STILL BILL presents the story of an artist who has written some of the most beloved songs in our time and who truly understands the heart and soul of a man.
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Reviews
Fantastic!
To all those who have watched it: I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do.
A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.
This guy, Bill Withers, is an example of how to be happy with yourself and your life. He is serene, content and relaxed with who and what he is and his place in popular culture. he has written a few absolutely classic popular songs and seems unaware of just how good he is and they are. He imparts a lesson to his contemporaries and his admirers of how to conduct a career. Do good work and sit back and relax about it. His modesty is in no way false or disingenuous , it is just the way he is. Withers is the genuine article and he comes across as someone you would like to spend time with given the chance. He seems incredibly wise and in tune with himself. His assessment of the "suits" he encountered when he went looking for a record deal is straight to the point and razor-sharp accurate. I love that he has a low-key but comfortable life due to the superb catalogue of great songs with which he has graced the world. This is one of the best documentaries about a musician and his life I have seen.
"Still Bill" is pretty straightforward and to the point. Taking its title from Bill Withers' second album, this documentary builds a subtle, deeply human portrayal of an incredibly wise and honest individual. By the time the film ends, you feel as if you've walked beside the man, seen and felt everything that ever really meant something to him. Bill feels at home with the camera. Not in the sense that he plays to it, but in the way he approaches it without so much as acknowledging its presence. "Still Bill" leaves you with a sense of pure observation. You're walking with him, sitting there and talking with him, and listening to him speak. This film is perfect for what it is.
For anybody who grew up listening to & loving soul music in the 1970's, this film is well worth seeking out. It concerns Bill Withers,who had a long string of chart hits,from his signature "Ain't No Sunshine" (which opens the film),"Grandma's Hands","Lean On Me",and others. In 1985, Bill decided to end his career in the music industry (but he never stopped writing or playing music---just for his own pleasure). We get first hand accounts from Mr. Withers,himself on life,love & just why he stepped down from the limelight. We are treated to various clips of Bill (mostly from television appearances)playing snippets from his hits,in conversation with Tavis Smiley & Cornell West,and kudos from the likes of Angelique Kidjo,Sting & others. Damani Baker & Alex Vlack co direct this ever so fine portrait of a man who preferred family over success. I guess my only issue with this film is that it's somewhat short (it clocks in at a scant 78 minutes). I know I had the same issue with the recently released 'Soul Power' (which for me could have been a good three hours,as there was boat loads of talent playing at that festival). Short running time aside, this film is still worth checking out,if you love soul music. Not rated by the MPAA,this film contains a naughty word or two,but has nothing else to offend.
There is plenty of sunshine when this film is on. We have all heard his music, no matter what age you are, and sing along to his songs. This film is about the life of 70's musician, Bill Withers. I really loved this film because it gives a history of this mans life. In other words, its not all about his music. But more about the after math of a successful music career gone limp after a few years. The film captures Bill as he is now and then takes you back to when he was most famous. Sting makes a guest appearance in the film. Sting is always nice to see. I really liked the archival footage. I felt like the images really took me back to the moments of the 70's/80's. I mostly liked watching the way Bill interacted with his daughter who, by the way, is a talented singer like her dad. Still Bill is clean fun and such an important film to see because singers from his time will not be around forever.