“A long-forgotten, envelope-pushing figure of 1970s rock will be hard to forget again after JOBRIATH A.D.…This absorbing and deftly crafted documentary compels interest throughout.”
— Dennis Harvey,
“JOBRIATH A.D. does a true service to music, and to more. Besides being smart, funny and insightful, it fills in a telling part of modern gay life’s suppressed history.”
— Jim Farber,
“Turner’s film ensures that time has now arrived for this forgotten prodigy.”
— Peter Wong,
“[This] absolutely mesmerizing documentary…unearths the amazing, strange-but-true story of super rock would-be superstar—who never became a star…Featuring incredible performance footage, smart commentaries from queer musicians Stephin Merritt and Jake Shears, as well as contributions from other showbiz names—Ann Magnuson, Dennis Christopher, Joey Arias.”
— Gary Kramer, San Francisco Bay Times
“In this fantastically revelatory documentary by Kieran Turner, Jobriath has been thoroughly rehabilitated: as a charismatic performer in his own right, the unwitting victim of record-industry hubris, and an unlikely, reluctant martyr for gay rights.
Jobriath’s story emerges as one of rock’n’roll’s great tragedies, a tale of hubris, misery and death. One not to be missed.”
— Andrew Pulver,
“Featuring incredible performance footage, smart commentaries, as well as contributi.ons from other showbiz names—Ann Magnuson, Dennis Christopher, Joey Arias—this inventive film is a remarkable story of fame, failure and reinvention”
— Kevin P. Taft,
“Fascinating… Stunning… Sensational. An exhilarating and heartbreaking film.”
— Jason Anderson,
ABOUT THE FILM
LONG SYNOPSIS
“The American Bowie,” “The True Fairy of Rock & Roll,” “Hype of the Year.” Known as the first openly gay rock star, Jobriath’s legacy delves deeper than the labels hung upon him. His reign was brief—two years and two albums. Sabotaged by a publicity machine run amok, shunned by the gay community and dismissed by critics, Jobriath was excommunicated from the music business, and became an early casualty of AIDS. Now new generations of fans have discovered him through acts like The Pet Shop Boys, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard, Siouxsie Sioux, and Morrissey, all of whom cite Jobriath as a groundbreaking influence. Through interviews, archival material and animation, experience the heartbreaking, unbelievable story of the one, the only, Jobriath.
Producer Kieran Turner
Editor Danny Bresnik
Cinematographers Michael Canzoniero, PJ Gaynard
Sound Rachel Chancey
Music Ian Moore, Jason Staczek
Cast Narrated by Henry Rollins, With appearances by Marc Almond, Joey Arias, Jayne County, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard, Stephin Merritt of Magnetic Fields, Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters, Will Sheff of Okkervil River, Justin Tranter of Semi-Precious Weapons
FESTIVALS
BFI London Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (World Premiere), Florida Film Festival (North American Premiere), 2012 Frameline, Outfest 2012
FESTIVAL TERRITORIES
The World
EXHIBITION FORMATS
HDCAM, Digibeta, Blu-Ray, DVD
PRESS KIT
Download Press Kit
AVAILABLE PRESS IMAGES (click to preview)
DOWNLOAD IMAGES
DIALOGUE LIST
Download Timecoded Dialogue List