PAVEMENTS
NEWS
A BOLD AND UNCONVENTIONAL TRIBUTE TO PAVEMENT
Photo Composite: Pavement: Michael Wong. Cast: Donald Stahl.
Few bands have captured the essence of indie rock quite like Pavement. With their lo-fi sound, enigmatic lyrics, and slacker ethos, the band left an undeniable mark on alternative music. Now, director Alex Ross Perry has crafted a film that defies traditional biopic conventions—"Pavements", a genre-blurring experience that intertwines documentary, fiction, and musical performance.
A Film Unlike Any Other
Rather than following a straightforward narrative, "Pavements" is a multi-layered cinematic experiment. The film combines archival footage, live performances, and a fictionalized musical inspired by the band, titled Slanted! Enchanted! A Pavement Musical. This unique approach mirrors Pavement’s own unpredictable and unconventional career, making for a film that is as much an artistic statement as it is a tribute.
Blurring Reality and Fiction
One of the most intriguing aspects of "Pavements" is its dual-cast structure. The real band members—Stephen Malkmus, Scott Kannberg, Mark Ibold, Bob Nastanovich, and Steve West—appear as themselves. Meanwhile, actors like Joe Keery, Jason Schwartzman, Nat Wolff, and Fred Hechinger play fictionalized versions of the group in a dramatized retelling of their journey. This interplay between reality and fiction creates a dreamlike atmosphere, where fact and mythology collide.
From Festival Screens to Theaters
As part of TMN, we had the opportunity to cover the IN-EDIT Barcelona Festival, where we witnessed firsthand how "Pavements" captivated audiences with its unconventional storytelling and unique tribute to the band. The festival, known for celebrating music documentaries, provided the perfect backdrop for its unique blend of reality and fiction.
The film later had its official international premiere at the Venice International Film Festival in 2024, drawing attention for its bold artistic choices. It later had its official international premiere at the Venice International Film Festival in 2024, drawing attention for its bold artistic choices. Critics praised Perry’s ability to capture the essence of Pavement without adhering to the typical rise-and-fall music biopic formula. Instead, "Pavements" feels like a collage—impressionistic, fragmented, and deeply engaging.
Now, after making the festival rounds, the film is finally reaching a wider audience. It is set for a limited release in New York on May 2, 2025, followed by Los Angeles on May 9, with a nationwide rollout on June 6.
A Perfectly Imperfect Tribute
Pavement was never about polish or perfection, and neither is this film. It embraces chaos, experimentation, and humor, much like the band itself. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer curious about indie rock’s most beloved underdogs, "Pavements" promises to be a cinematic experience that, much like Pavement’s music, lingers long after it ends.
Are you ready to step into the world of "Pavements"?
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