Product Description

This documentary captures the female country-&-western group the Dixie Chicks in performance around the U.S. and London between the years 2003 and 2006. While performing in 2003 singer Natalie Maines ignited a maelstrom of controversy and red-state rage when she declared--from a London stage on the eve of the Iraqi conflict--that she was ashamed President George W. Bush was from her home state of Texas. When a rabidly right-wing group picked up on it the band found themselves in the center of controversy regarding the nature of patriotism freedom of speech feminism and the split between pro- and antiwar Americans. Filmmaker Barbara Kopple brings us the fly-on-the-wall view of the next three years: we find Haines and sisters Emily Robison and Martie Maguire in dressing rooms on stage and in recording studios bonding with each other their families producer Rick Rubin and their supportive manager Simon Renshaw. Through the crises they keep their sense of humor and sisterhood not backing down from their liberal stance and turning the backlash into a triumph. They also make some great music and the film includes plenty of riveting intense footage of the band in performance onstage and in the studio. Among the faces appearing in archival footage are President Bush Bill Maher and rabidly right-wing country star Toby Keith.Format: DVD AUDIO Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. UPC: 796019799294 Manufacturer No: 79929

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4138 in DVD
• Brand: WELLSPRING/GENIUS
• Released on: 2007-02-20
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, Full Screen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds
• Running time: 93 minutes

Amazon.com
Shut Up & Sing finds two-time Academy Award winner Barbara Kopple (American Dream) and co-director Cecilia Peck following the lives and career developments of the Dixie Chicks in the wake of singer Natalie Maines' denunciation of the Iraq war and President Bush in 2003. The film returns to the pivotal moment in which Maines, speaking to a London audience, raised opposition to America's invasion of Iraq, resulting in a backlash in America. The Chicks, as one sees, have had little peace of mind since then, banned from country music stations, picketed at concerts, and targeted by death threats. Maines, Martie Maguire, and Emily Robison respond to the extensive and sometimes scary criticism they've faced, though their latest music, including a song called "Not Ready to Make Nice," also speaks for itself. Kopple and Peck spend a lot of time with the band on a human level as well, in homes and dressing rooms and recording studios. The collective--and quite touching--portrait is of three women who wish only the best for one another and back each other's decisions all the way. This is essential viewing for fans of the gifted Kopple as well as the always-against-the-odds Dixie Chicks. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Freedom of Speech---- Go Dixie Chicks!
The documentary, "Shut Up & Sing", pertains to the country music band "The Dixie Chicks" and the statements made by lead singer, Natalie Maines, in 2003 regarding President Bush & the Iraq War while "The Dixie Chicks" were on tour in London, England.

Maines' statements during the "The Dixie Chicks" concert in London, England set off a fire storm amongst their fans back home in the USA, whom thought her statements about President Bush & the Iraq War were unpatriotic. Many music stations stopped playing music recorded by "The Dixie Chicks" due to public outrage.

"Shut Up & Sing" documents the situation and shows how "The Dixie Chicks" handled the situation and eventually bounced back in full force on their own terms.

"Shut Up & Sing" is a touching documentary that places the viewer in the midst's of what the three women whom make up "The Dixie Chicks" were thinking and feeling during this time in their lives and their career. "Shut Up & Sing" is very well done documentary.

The only drawback for me regarding this documentary was the fact that most of the information in it was already dealt with publicly in the news. I felt as if there wasn't much new in terms of information to be learn that hadn't already been heard before.

Entertaining and Informative
The Chicks made their remark while everyone was really from 9/11. At the time, Bush's approval rating were in the stratosphere. Natalie's remarks in my opinion where a breathe of fresh air.
This movie is more of a day in a life that a political piece. We learn that Natalie was not the Chick's first lead singer and got the job after her Father left a tape for their manager. Natalie has a foul mouth, but a heavenly voice. She is shown laying around a lot. We get a glimpse into the family life of the two other Chicks and a significant amount of time is spent in the recording studio.

an important story
I picked up a copy of this on principle after having seen that it was screening in Los Angeles. The story is now an integral part of American history interwoven with a Presidency that will itself be studied for the rest of time.

Leave it to country music to paint every dimension of the American struggle. As I write this the number of US lives given in Iraq stands at 4113. To the Iraqi people, I would echo the most important line from "Saving Private Ryan" ... "Earn this."