The acclaimed music documentary DIG! is returning to cinemas to mark its 20th anniversary.
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Winner of the Sundance Grand Jury prize in 2004, DIG!, directed by Ondi Timoner, charted the differing journeys of two American rock bands, The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. It was shot over a seven-year period, following the bands as they toured and documenting the creative tensions between them.
The film has been extended, enhanced and reimagined to create a new edition – DIG! XX – which is being re-released this spring. Originally narrated by The Dandy Warhols’ Courtney Taylor, the new version features new narration by The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s Joel Gion.
DIG! XX will be in UK cinemas for one night only, on March 25, with a limited release to follow from March 28.
Here’s the official synopsis: “The original documentary captured a definitive moment in indie music history and garnered awards around the world, whilst being praised for its authenticity and boldness. DIG! XX brings the epic tale to the present, diving into the clash between art and fame as two indie bands wrestle with the pull of the mainstream and the price of success.
“From high-stakes ambitions to the gritty reality of life on the road, the documentary reveals an unfiltered view of rock-and-roll’s inner struggles while spotlighting the challenges that fueled two of the 1990’s most influential indie bands.”
In an interview with NME in 2024, The Dandy Warhols’ Taylor said: “Hopefully the 20th anniversary of DIG! will help visibility for our new record ‘Rockmaker’, but as for the movie, I don’t care one way or another.
“It wasn’t accurate. It ended up being a very mean and nasty affair. We were just there as a foil to The Brian Jonestown Massacre. It was a terrible situation. Other than bright moments of [Brian Jonestown Massacre member] Joel Gion being funny, it’s just straight-up negativity.”
When asked if he regretted doing the film, Taylor said: “Yeah, definitely. People weren’t used to being filmed back then. We were told that she [director Ondi Timoder] was manipulating the Jonestown in the same way.
“She would get in their van and go: ‘Hey, the Dandys are working in the studio with David Bowie now. Anything like that going on with you?’, and they would just get pissed and work themselves up to her getting the shot.”
He continued: “There was nothing about music; she’d just try and get something angry out of us. She’d wake me after two hours sleep at noon saying: ‘We’ve got the president of Capitol Records on the phone. You’ve got to talk to him!’, as I’m about to throw up and my head hurts.
“But it all makes for a fun watch – I just wish it wasn’t my band in it. It was a huge turning point. It was brutal for us. It made Anton’s career though. He would not have had a career without it.”