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When an Oscar™ nominated director decides to take on the life of one of the 20th century’s most iconic musical figures, the result is sure to be as winding as the music that inspires it. Todd Haynes takes his unique stylistic approach to the world of popular music in his tribute to the life and work of the folk rock hero Bob Dylan in “ I’m Not There which begins today in Montreal. Marcus Carl Franklin has just been added as the sixth Bob Dylan. The young thesp was featured in the HBO drama Lackawanna Blues.
Haynes creates an interwoven retrospective of American stories set during the 1960s and 1970s, which each portrays a different aspect of the life and influences that helped shape the face of Rock ‘n Roll forever. This is the first film to gain the approval of the pop culture icon, and will be shot using six different actors portraying various aspects of the singer/songwriters life; from his early childhood influences, his rise in the folk music world, the motorcycle accident that nearly destroyed him, and finally his struggling turn to rock and eventual journey from the studio into the realm of the Never Ending Tour. Haynes is set to film each segment in a differing style to match the theme of the particular period of Dylan’s life. The segments follow Woody (Marcus Carl Franklin) – an 11-year-old black boy, always on the run; Robbie (Heath Ledger)- a womanizing performer, always on the road; Jude (Cate Blanchett)- the young androgynous rock star; John/Jack (Christian Bale) – a folk idol who reinvents himself as an evangelist; Billy (Richard Gere)- the famous outlaw, miraculously alive but growing old. By utilizing character outside of context, Haynes appears to be willing to push the boundaries of his, and Dylan’s, familiar fan base and open their eyes to the substance behind the story and the life.
The styles, while apparently eclectic and non-subsidized on the surface, are meant to give a greater insight into the world that enlightened and inspired the music and life of the singer. The script is said to include deeper insight into the background of Dylan than has been provided previously, particularly information about his wife Sara and the heretofore unheard of 1986 marriage to one of his backup singers. Haynes’ maverick directorial style and electric personality has brought him from the limitations of New Queer Cinema to the forefront of dynamic and provocative storytelling. Backed by Paramount and produced by Killer Films, “I’m Not There” is expected to be embraced by both cinematic and musical audiences.
Little boy (Marcus Carl Franklin) playing with the big boys (Howard) in Lackawanna Blues
