Berlin

Friday, February 8----------In 1969, you were either listening to the Rolling Stones express their "sympathy for the devil" or you were listening (over and over again) to "Suite Judy Blue Eyes" as interpreted by a new group called Crosby Stills & Nash. Made up of members of such seminal rock groups as The Byrds and Buffalo Springfield, David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash were later joined by Neil Young, to form that much loved group CSNY.  The musicians have been playing on and off for four decades, while also pursuing their own distinct musical careers.

On the same weekend when Martin Scorsese shone a light on the world's great rock-n-roll band The Rolling Stones in the concert film SHINE A LIGHT (which opened the 37th Berlinale last night), the stage was also set for the folk rock kingpins of Crosby Stills Nash & Young, which hosted the European premiere of their reunion concert film CSNY DEJA VU. That film, which had its world premiere last month at the Sundance Film Festival, chronicles the 2007 Freedom of Speech Tour by the legendary group. The war in Iraq is the backdrop as the Tour crisscrosses North America. Echoes of Vietnam-era anti-war sentiment abound as the band connects with today's audiences.

Not only a concert film, the documentary gives voice to audience members, radio talk show hosts and others who comment on the war in Iraq, the Bush presidency and those who both praise and condemn CSNY for its activism. For example, at an Atlanta concert, when the band strikes up Neil Young's anthem "Let's Impeach the President", boos and cheers are alternately heard on the soundtrack.  The film catches a country in conflict with itself. Even the film's title (also the title of the legendary 1970 album by the group) beckons for a renewed political awareness among the young that has been sadly missing for the past decade.

The film, directed by musician Neil Young, under the pseudonym of Bernard Shakey, was sold to international sales company Fortissimo Films. A North American theatrical deal is expected to be announced shortly.  For now, Berlin seems awashed with musical superstars, which is an exciting plus of the Festival's first 48 hours. 

Sandy Mandelberger, Berlin FF Dailies Editor