David Bowie: The Last Five Years (2017)

David Bowie: The Last Five Years Poster

In the last five years of his life, David Bowie ended nearly a decade of silence to engage in an extraordinary burst of activity, producing two groundbreaking albums and a musical. David Bowie: The Last Five Years explores this unexpected end to a remarkable career. Made with remarkable access, Francis Whately’s documentary is a revelatory follow-up to his acclaimed 2013 documentary David Bowie: Five Years, which chronicled Bowie’s golden ‘70s and early-‘80s period.

Plot Overview
"David Bowie: The Last Five Years" is a 2017 documentary that provides an insightful check out the renowned artist's final years. Directed by Francis Whately, the movie is a compelling narrative that encapsulates Bowie's imagination, difficulties, successes, and legacy. Using a mix of archival video footage and individual testaments from good friends, collaborators, and fans, the documentary focuses majorly on Bowie's final 2 albums, "The Next Day" (2013) and "Blackstar" (2016), and the musical "Lazarus", which was his swansong project.

Delving into Bowie's Artistry
The movie explores Bowie's courageous technique to imagination and his incredible will to transform himself throughout his profession. Bowie's artistry has actually constantly been marked by his commitment to mixing various music styles and his determination to experiment. Whately parallels the memorable release of "The Next Day" album after a ten-year unusual hiatus, with Bowie's last album "Blackstar", considered his parting gift to the world, having been launched simply 2 days before his unforeseen death. Both albums supply an unique representation of his progressive method and his distinct artistry.

Insights from Bowie's Collaborators
In the movie, we hear informative testaments from Bowie's crucial collaborators including producer Tony Visconti. We find out about Bowie's unwavering dedication to his craft, his decision when facing personal and professional obstacles, and his enthusiasm for storytelling through his distinct musical stylings. The speakers also recollect how Bowie's life was led with humbleness, self-respect, and humor.

"Lazarus" - Bowie's Final Bow
"Lazarus", Bowie's off-Broadway musical based on the character from his 1976 movie "The Man Who Fell to Earth," constitutes a significant part of the movie. It offers an opportunity to see reaffirmation of Bowie's flair for tough conventional norms in music and creating masterpieces that resonate on a number of levels. It ends up being clear that the musical, just like Bowie's last two albums, were not only imaginative accomplishments but likewise lorries through which Bowie aired his beliefs about death.

Final Thoughts
"David Bowie: The Last Five Years" presents a poignant image of David Bowie's final years. It effectively manages to provide audiences an intimate lens into Bowie's world, showcasing his passion for pushing creative borders, his innovative process, and his gracious approach to life and death. It is a bittersweet ode to an artist who marked an age with his extraordinary talent, imagination, and courage. Through testimonials and video, the film brightens the artist's enduring legacy, leaving viewers with an even higher gratitude for the male behind the iconic music. Complex yet accessible, intimate yet grand, the documentary is as diverse as Bowie himself.

Top Cast

  • David Bowie (small)
    David Bowie
    Self (archive footage)
  • Michael C. Hall (small)
    Michael C. Hall
    Self
  • Toni Basil (small)
    Toni Basil
    Self
  • Tony Visconti
    Self
  • Gail Ann Dorsey
    Self
  • Donny McCaslin (small)
    Donny McCaslin
    Self
  • Geoff MacCormack
    Self
  • Maria Schneider
    Self