The Man Who Would Be Polka King

Jun 5, 2009

1h 7m

★ 6.2

Overview

A polka kingdom crumbles in this documentary tracing the rise and fall of dubious duple meter master Jan Lewan. A Grammy-nominated polka superstar who defected from Poland to the West in the 1970s, Lewan created a musical empire that made him an internationally-recognized figure. When scandal erupted and Lewan's shady dealings were revealed, fans couldn't believe that their hero had committed one of the largest polka-related financial crimes in history.

Genres

Documentary

The Man Who Would Be Polka King Trailers

Cast

Himself

Jan Lewan

Music is an integral part of most films, adding emotion and nuance while often remaining invisible to audiences. Matt Schrader shines a spotlight on the overlooked craft of film composing, gathering many of the art form’s most influential practitioners, from Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman to Quincy Jones and Randy Newman, to uncover their creative process. Tracing key developments in the evolution of music in film, and exploring some of cinema’s most iconic soundtracks, 'Score' is an aural valentine for film lovers.

7.0

André Hazes: She Believes in Me

Jan 27, 2000

Portrait of the popular Dutch singer André Hazes.

9.2

Bring Me the Horizon: Live at the Royal Albert Hall

Apr 22, 2016

Live at the Royal Albert Hall is the second live album and video by British rock band Bring Me The Horizon. It was recorded on 22 April 2016 at thr Royal Albert Hall, with accompaniment from the Parallax Orchestra.

0.0

Apparition of the Eternal Church

Jan 28, 2006

The movie captures the responses of 31 authors, musicians, filmmakers and dancers to Olivier Messiaen's monumental organ work "Apparition of the Eternal Church." Listening to the 10-minute piece through headphones, the documentary subjects-most of whom are outsiders to the church and do not know what they're hearing-put Messiaen's project to the test: Is it possible to portray, through time-bound, invisible sound, the spiritual, the architectural, the eternal? The result is a collective interpretation improvising its way through an aesthetic landscape defined by violent contradictions. Resolution abuts eternity, eroticism asceticism, spiritual ecstasy physical torture. Together, the music and its interpreters conjure something like what William Blake famously called the marriage of heaven and hell.

6.0

Pure Comedy

Jan 24, 2017

Pure Comedy is a black and white document of the live tracking of Pure Comedy, as well as a surreal look into Tillman's writing process. A six person crew, complete with cranes in the tracking rooms, captured every moment of the recording, giving the viewer intimate audience to actual album takes, including the one and only 2:00am performance of the 13-minute "Leaving LA."

0.0

Reba: He Gave Me Music

Jan 1, 1983

A short documentary about gospel recording artists Reba Rambo and her husband Dony McGuire, featuring clips of performances of various songs and interviews with the couple.

No Image Available

5.2

Crimes of Honour

Dec 31, 1999

Throughout the Islamic world, each year hundreds of women are shot, stabbed, strangled or burned to death by male relatives because they are thought to have “dishonoured” their families. They may have lost their virginity, refused an arranged marriage or left an abusive husband. Even if a woman is raped or merely the victim of gossip, she must pay the price. Crimes of Honour documents the terrible reality of femicide – the belief that a girl’s body is the property of the family, and any suggestion of sexual impropriety must be cleansed with her blood. We meet women in hiding from their families, a brother who describes his reasons for killing the sister he loved, and a handful of women who have committed themselves to the protection of young women in danger of losing their lives.

8.2

Jeff Tweedy: Sunken Treasure - Live in the Pacific Northwest

Jan 1, 2006

Sunken Treasure follows Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy on his February 2006 solo acoustic tour. The footage was recorded over five nights and features songs from three of his current and former bands: Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, and Loose Fur, plus an unreleased track, "The Thanks I Get." The film is directed by documentarians Christoph Green and Brendan Canty, himself the former drummer of Fugazi.

7.2

This Is It

Oct 28, 2009

A compilation of interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold-out shows in London.

3.0

Bruce Springsteen's High Hopes

Apr 5, 2014

Follow Bruce Springsteen during the making of his 18th studio album, 'High Hopes,' in this special. Rare behind-the-scenes footage and rehearsal segments are interspersed with exclusive E Street Band tour footage and revealing interviews with Springsteen and album collaborator Tom Morello, guitarist for Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave.

7.6

The Last Waltz

Apr 26, 1978

Martin Scorsese's documentary intertwines footage from The Band's incredible farewell tour with probing backstage interviews and featured performances by Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, and other rock legends.

7.3

Gimme Shelter

Dec 13, 1970

A detailed chronicle of the famous 1969 tour of the United States by the British rock band The Rolling Stones, which culminated with the disastrous and tragic concert held on December 6 at the Altamont Speedway Free Festival, an event of historical significance, as it marked the end of an era: the generation of peace and love suddenly became the generation of disillusionment.

8.8

Billy Joel: A Matter of Trust - The Bridge to Russia

Jan 31, 2014

In 1987, Billy Joel took his family, his music and his concert show to the former Soviet Union. This feature-length documentary film looks back at the triumphs and difficulties encountered in creating the first fully staged rock 'n' roll show in the USSR. Directed by Emmy(R)-winning documentarian, Jim Brown.

7.9

The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz

Jun 27, 2014

Programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz achieved groundbreaking work in social justice and political organizing. His passion for open access ensnared him in a legal nightmare that ended with the taking of his own life at the age of 26.

6.9

Finding Fela

Aug 1, 2014

Fela Anikulapo Kuti created the musical movement Afrobeat and used it as a political forum to oppose the Nigerian dictatorship and advocate for the rights of oppressed people. This is the story of his life, music, and political importance.

The Man Who Would Be Polka King

Overview

Genres

The Man Who Would Be Polka King Trailers