David Bowie: Five Years (2013)

David Bowie: Five Years Poster

Featuring a wealth of previously unseen archive, this film looks at how Bowie continually evolved: from Ziggy Stardust to the Soul Star of Young Americans, to the ‘Thin White Duke’. It explores his regeneration in Berlin with the critically acclaimed album Heroes, his triumph with Scary Monsters and his global success with Let’s Dance. With interviews with all his closest collaborators, David Bowie - Five Years presents a unique account of why Bowie has become an ‘icon of our times’.

Introduction
"David Bowie: Five Years" is a 2013 documentary film directed by Francis Whately. It offers an intimate and in-depth check out the prolific profession of the renowned artist David Bowie, concentrating on 5 particular years that considerably affected his music and personality. These consist of 1971, 1975, 1977, 1980, and 1983, which represent the development and release of some of his most influential albums. The movie offers an informative exploration of Bowie's creative process, personal life, and lasting influence on modern music.

1971: Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust
The documentary begins with an expedition of the year 1971, a transformative period for Bowie's career marked by the release of "Hunky Dory", one of his most critically acclaimed and influential albums. During this time, Bowie embraced his androgynous image and formulated the character of Ziggy Stardust, which he would later on introduce in 1972 with the release of the idea album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars". This duration marked the beginning of Bowie's ascent into superstardom, and the character of Ziggy Stardust would become one of his most long-lasting and iconic personalities.

1975: Young Americans and Soul Music
In 1975, Bowie moved away from the glam rock noise that specified his early career and accepted American soul and R&B, culminating in the release of the album "Young Americans". This change in musical direction was affected by his time invested in the United States, especially his exposure to the music of black artists like Marvin Gaye, James Brown, and Stevie Wonder. The album was taped in Philadelphia, a city critical to the advancement of soul music, with a brand-new group of musicians and collaborators that assisted Bowie transform his sound. "Young Americans" showcased a more mature and introspective side of Bowie, and its success led him to even more explore various genres and styles throughout his profession.

1977: Berlin Trilogy and Collaborations
In 1977, Bowie started a speculative and productive period in his profession, which saw him transferring to Berlin, Germany, to get away the fame and pressures he experienced in Los Angeles. There, he recorded and launched the critically well-known "Berlin Trilogy" - a series of albums comprising "Low", "Heroes", and "Lodger" - in cooperation with Brian Eno and Tony Visconti, to name a few significant artists. This duration was defined by Bowie's expedition of electronic music, Krautrock, and ambient soundscapes and gave birth to some of his most significant tracks, such as '"Heroes"' and "Sound and Vision".

1980: Scary Monsters and Reinvention
Following the conclusion of the Berlin Trilogy, Bowie went into the 1980s with the release of "Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)" in 1980. The album is considered one of Bowie's best works, providing a blend of his earlier glam rock roots with elements of new wave and post-punk. With tracks like "Ashes to Ashes" and "Fashion", the album declared Bowie's position as one of the most innovative and prominent artists in music.

1983: Let's Dance and Mainstream Success
The documentary concludes with an assessment of 1983, the year Bowie accomplished his most significant business success with the release of "Let's Dance", an album that explored pop-rock and dance music. Produced by Nile Rodgers, the album generated several hit singles, consisting of "Let's Dance", "China Girl", and "Modern Love". This duration saw Bowie fully welcome his function as an authentic pop star while maintaining his artistic integrity and capability to experiment and transform himself.

Conclusion
"David Bowie: Five Years" is an insightful and appealing documentary that delves into the defining moments of Bowie's renowned career. It tells the story of a restless, ever-changing artist with an insatiable appetite for creativity, who continually pushed the borders of music and fashion. Including interviews with essential partners, unusual archival footage, and Bowie's own reflections, the film provides an in-depth check out the mind of an enigmatic and cherished artist whose impact continues to resonate in contemporary music and culture.

Top Cast

  • David Bowie (small)
    David Bowie
    Self (archive footage)
  • Tony Visconti
    Self
  • Nile Rodgers (small)
    Nile Rodgers
    Self
  • Brian Eno (small)
    Brian Eno
    Self
  • Robert Fripp (small)
    Robert Fripp
    Self
  • Andy Warhol (small)
    Andy Warhol
    Self (archive footage)
  • Dick Cavett (small)
    Dick Cavett
    Self (archive footage)
  • Nicolas Roeg (small)
    Nicolas Roeg
    Self
  • Candy Clark (small)
    Candy Clark
    Self
  • Earl Slick
    Self
  • Tilda Swinton (small)
    Tilda Swinton
    Self (archive footage)