Frank film set for London premiere
THE official documentary about maverick comedian Frank Sidebottom – and his hidden creator Chris Sievey – will be premiered at the BFI London Film Festival.
Cult comic Frank, famous for his over-sized papier-mache head, love of Timperley and his smaller sidekick Little Frank, courted the Manchester music and comedy scene for more than 25 years. Yet little was ever known publicly of the man behind the mask, acclaimed artist and musician Sievey.
Sievey died, aged 54, from cancer in 2010 and close friend Steve Sullivan started to make the ‘labour of love’ documentary in 2012, researching the act and Chris’s life through boxes of possessions including diaries, notebooks, props, costumes and work-in-progress found at his home in Altrincham.
Now he’s confirmed ‘Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story’ has been selected for its European Premiere at this year’s London Film Festival in October.
And Steve, who has produced, directed and edited the documentary, revealed plans for a ‘massive, fantastic homecoming launch’ in Manchester after the festival.
The documentary – which examines the creation and longevity of Frank as well as the talent and verve of Chris and was funded by public donations – stars Johnny Vegas, John Cooper Clarke, Jon Ronson and others. Tickets for screenings go on sale at 10am on September 13.
In a message on Twitter, Steve said: “The hope is that by playing at the BFI London Film Festival, the film will be seen by critics and cinema bookers, and it will provide a huge platform for launching the film in cinemas as soon as possible. It’s a huge boost for the profile of the film, and I hope you’re all as chuffed as I am!
“The plan is to have it showing in film festivals worldwide over the next few months, followed by a massive, fantastic homecoming launch in Manchester as soon as possible.
“There’s all kinds of exciting plans being put together for the Manchester homecoming and as soon as that can be announced, it will be.”
Steve said Sievey’s family had been consulted about the location of the premiere being London over Frank’s beloved Timperley, but were backing the launch.
“He’d have wanted the big stage and the big attention for his work, and we collectively think this is the right way to achieve that,” added Steve on the Twitter message.