Fans are finally getting their first all-access documentary to Frank Zappa with “Zappa.” In fact, fans are the reason the documentary is happening. This documentary was fully crowdfunded through one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns, involving more than 8000 backers who invested more than $1,200,000 in 30 days.
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The documentary was made with the blessing of Frank Zappa’s now-deceased wife Gail. Zappa’s son and producer on the film Ahmet considers this film to be an intimate and expansive look into the life of his dad. That’s because director Alex Winter had complete access to the family’s vault of rarely-seen footage. No other director who has made a film about the musician has ever had such access. Winter may better be known as Bill from “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” but he has also made several award-winning documentaries.
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Winter said to Rolling Stone, “It’s not your standard album-to-album music doc,” the filmmaker says. “It’s really an in-depth examination of an artist’s life, using mostly Zappa’s own words and media from his personal archives. The film is filled with surprises for fans, but I think they will be most struck by the intimacy and a real sense of who Zappa actually was.”
Here’s the official summary for “Zappa”
With unfettered access to the Zappa family trust and all archival footage, ZAPPA explores the private life behind the mammoth musical career that never shied away from the political turbulence of its time. Alex Winter’s assembly features appearances by Frank’s widow Gail Zappa and several of Frank’s musical collaborators including Mike Keneally, Ian Underwood, Steve Vai, Pamela Des Barres, Bunk Gardner, David Harrington, Scott Thunes, Ruth Underwood, Ray White, and others.
“Zappa” will be released in theaters and on-demand on November 27. Take a look at the new trailer below.