The hugely anticipated Kurt Cobain documentary Montage Of Heck opened in select Australian cinemas this week, but before you head out on a guaranteed emotional roller coaster of a cinema experience, directer Brett Morgen has dispelled a few enduring myths about the making of the film, including the reason for Dave Grohl‘s notable absence from the screen.
In a series of tweets overnight, Morgen shed light on how the film came together, explaining that the interview with Foo Fighters frontman, and former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl is not in the final film because Grohl was only available to be interviewed “three weeks” after the documentary was completed.
“We first approached Dave about an interview in April 2014,” Morgen wrote. “Dave did sit for an in[terview] three weeks after I completed the film. He was great. But unfortunately, it was too late for inclusion.”
Morgen also reiterated that the Dave Grohl interview will not be released as an extra. “I have too much respect for Dave to use as dvd extra. Would be a crass $ grab,” he wrote. “You can find Dave’s thoughts on Kurt all across youtube or on his show,” he added.
The directer confirmed that “all of the ‘score’ heard in the film that was not arranged by Jeff Danna” is exclusively Kurt Cobain recordings, and will not feature any Nirvana music. “It’s all Kurt,” he said. “A few unreleased tracks from the film, the rest have never been heard.”
Morgen already confirmed that a collection of Cobain’s previously unheard home recordings will be curated into a new album, which is slated for release in the Australian winter, 21 years after Kurt Cobain’s death.
While he took pains to reiterate that “there is not a single edit in this film that was dictated by a family member, studio, or network,” Morgen said the film would not have come together had it not been for “the support of Dave, Krist, Wendy, Don, Kim, Courtney, or Frances.”
Montage Of Heck is showing in select Australian cinemas now. See all of Brett Morgen’s tweets below.
Watch: Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck Trailer
https://youtu.be/cw5nZeptzEU
Over the next hour, I will dispel several myths about the making of Montage of Heck.
— Brett Morgen (@brettmorgen) May 7, 2015
1) Don Cobain only agreed to an interview after speaking with Frances. This was the first time he agreed to appear on camera.
— Brett Morgen (@brettmorgen) May 7, 2015
2)None of the footage of Kurt and Courtney, pre-frances was in the storage facility. Eric, came to my office last winter w/ an unseen hi8 tp
— Brett Morgen (@brettmorgen) May 7, 2015
3) Courtney didn't see the film until the week of the premiere and never saw a frame prior to that.
— Brett Morgen (@brettmorgen) May 7, 2015
4) There is not a single edit in this film that was dictated by a family member, studio, or network.
— Brett Morgen (@brettmorgen) May 7, 2015
5) We were actively constructing the film in 2013/14. From 2007-2012 I was trying to acquire the necessary rights. The breakthrough was FBC
— Brett Morgen (@brettmorgen) May 7, 2015
6) The montage that opens the film was meant to evoke the world that don and jenny bought into and that kurt was brought into.
— Brett Morgen (@brettmorgen) May 7, 2015
7) no animals were harmed during the making of the film.
— Brett Morgen (@brettmorgen) May 7, 2015
8) All of @HiskoHulsing's animation was done by hand except two shots that were composited in 3d.
— Brett Morgen (@brettmorgen) May 7, 2015
9) The soundtrack will not feature any Nirvana music. It's all Kurt. A few unreleased tracks from the film, the rest have never been heard.
— Brett Morgen (@brettmorgen) May 7, 2015
10) We first approached Dave about an interview in April 2014.
— Brett Morgen (@brettmorgen) May 7, 2015
11) Dave did sit for an int three weeks after I completed the film. He was great. But unfortunately, it was too late for inclusion.
— Brett Morgen (@brettmorgen) May 7, 2015
12)The film could not have been made without the support of Dave, Krist, Wendy, Don, Kim, Courtney, or Frances.Everyone came together 4 this
— Brett Morgen (@brettmorgen) May 7, 2015
13) All of the "score" heard in the film that was not arranged by Jeff Danna, is Kurt's. The guitar under the Frances letter seq is Kurt.
— Brett Morgen (@brettmorgen) May 7, 2015
@MrBlakeCorrigan The interview with Grhl will not be released I have too much respect for Dave to use as dvd extra.Would be a crass $ grab
— Brett Morgen (@brettmorgen) May 7, 2015
@Mr__Black You can find Dave's thoughts on Kurt all across youtube or on his show. You won't find anything from Don, Wendy, or Kim anywhere.
— Brett Morgen (@brettmorgen) May 7, 2015
