Metro Cinema Society: The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights

The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights

USA 2009, 93 min, DigiBeta, Dir: Emmett Malloy

In the summer of 2007, shortly after the release of their 6th album Icky Thump, The White Stripes headed north of their hometown of Detroit to embark on an ambitious journey across Canada. The plan was to play a show in every province and territory in Canada, from B.C. to Newfoundland to Nunavut. White called upon filmmaker Emmett Malloy to come and document this trek for the band. Equipped with a couple of 16mm cameras, and a few other documenting devices, the band and crew all headed north. The end result was Under Great White Northern Lights.

What the film does best, is document one of the most enigmatic bands in the world, playing to local crowds in small towns. Some of these towns were so small that many of the locals had no idea who The White Stripes were - they just knew something big was going on in their town. This forced a band that had been together for a decade to go back to a place reminiscent of the first shows they ever played together. For the first time in a long time, no one knew who they were and they had to make a first impression with their music. The live footage captured in this film shows that Jack and Meg were clearly ready for this. Beyond the live footage, some of the films most memorable moments happen off-stage - offering an insightful look into the very private and complex world that is The White Stripes. It was shortly after this tour that The White Stripes cancelled their fall tour of the United States – making the ten year anniversary a truly pivotal milestone for this legendary band.

$10 Advance Tickets available at Blackbyrd Myoozik (10442 82 Ave)