Pavements

It’s hard to decide whether the musical, the most sincere art form, or the documentary, the most carefully diligent genre, is a starker contrast to the  image of Pavement, the indie rock band that famously embodied the slacker subculture of the 90s with off-key vocals, no designated rhythm and rotating lead guitarists.

Premiering in Venice, this musical-documentary-biopic hybrid is Alex Ross Perry’s latest project with the eponymous act. The film is composed of an amalgamation of archive footage from the band’s original decade-long run alongside a scripted narrative featuring a star-studded cast and snippets from the making of the 2022 jukebox musical Slanted! Enchanted! – both directed by Perry. Everything is stitched together with behind-the-scenes snapshots and commentary from everyone involved, reflecting the eclectic spirit of Pavement. The story always returns to the 2022 reunion tour, which included a pop-up museum celebrating their legacy and commemorative T-shirts, after a 12-year hiatus.

Perry doesn’t shy away from the more notorious aspects of the group’s past – particularly their chaotic performances during the 1995 Lollapalooza festival. Pavement became infamous for their brazen, drug and alcohol-fuelled shows, putting their whims before rehearsed setlists. Their provocative style reached its peak during the infamous incident where they were pelted with mud and rocks while performing. The film captures footage of the band leaving the stage under a barrage of earthy projectiles, followed by an intimate portrayal of each member’s soaring emotions – ranging from frustration, defiance, exhaustion, to vulnerability – as depicted by the actors.

While the documentary footage and musical numbers give the film a prismatic appeal, it is the scripted scene and rich commentary that truly brings the story Pavement to life, with a metatextual approach that blurs the lines between reality and fiction of the group’s fever dream past. Miller, who brings bass guitarist Mark Ibold to life, proclaims that he had always wanted to be in a band biopic and had previously auditioned for The Beach Boys’ Love & Mercy and Mötley Crüe’s The Dirt. Joe Keery, who takes on the starring role of Stephen Malkmus, initially admits he accepted the role for career advancement and potential awards. However, as the process unfolds, he grows increasingly attached to the singer as he finds himself unable to shed Malkmus’s distinct accent and persona.

Christina Yang

Read more reviews from our Venice Film Festival coverage here.

For further information about the event visit the Venice Film Festival website here.