Music films getting the big-screen, surround-sound treatment at the Guth Gafa International Documentary FIlm Festival in Headfort House, Kells, Co Meath over the August Bank Holiday weekend include Long Strange Trip, (Mon. 7 Aug 7pm) the four-hour epic on The Grateful Dead, an enthralling chronicle of the highs and lows of this legendary US rock band.
WHITNEY ‘Can I Be Me’ ( Fri 4 Aug 8pm & Sat 5 Aug 8.30pm) unpicks the tragic story of the rise and fall of Whitney Houston, one of the most successful female recording artist of all time who was unprepared for the cost of fame.
Where You’re Meant to Be (Sat 5 Aug 5.30pm & Monday 7 Aug 5pm) tells whimsical tale of Aidan Moffat, a Scottish indie pop artist who decides to rewrite his country’s oldest songs to the outrage of ageing folk singer, Rita Stewart, who believes these songs to be sacred.
Music is literally a matter of life or death in When God Sleeps, (Sat 5 Aug 8.15pm) which profiles Iranian musician Shahin Najafi, is forced into hiding after hardline clerics issue a fatwa for his death but continues to perform.
For booking and full programme details see www.guthgafa.com
Live music in the festival tent at Headfort House is provided by the Niwel Tsumbo duo on Saturday night and Leila Jane & The Healers on Sunday night.