Pavements, a unique hybrid biopic and documentary centered around the iconic band Pavement, is set to make its debut at the prestigious Venice Film Festival. Scheduled from August 28 to September 7, the exact premiere date for the film has yet to be confirmed, but it will be featured in the Orrizonti (Horizons) competition section. The film boasts an impressive cast, including Joe Keery, Jason Schwartzman, Tim Heidecker, Zoe Lister-Jones, and others. Described as “a prismatic, narrative, scripted, documentary, musical, metatextual hybrid,” the film partly chronicles Pavement’s celebrated 2022 reunion tour.
Initially revealed in a 2022 feature, Pavements‘ concept sparked the creation of a musical adaptation staged in New York that showcased footage included in the film. The narrative springs from a unique directive by band member Stephen Malkmus, who expressed a preference for inviting a screenwriter rather than a documentary filmmaker, stating he didn’t require a traditional screenplay. The film delves into the band’s history and creative ventures, covering the lead-up to a musical based on their music, the establishment of a museum dedicated to their legacy, and a high-profile Hollywood biopic inspired by their influential journey.
Director Alex Ross Perry, known for his work on Pavement’s “Harness Your Hopes” video and various indie films, aims to create a piece that is “legitimate, ridiculous, real, fake, idiotic, cliché, illogical.” He likened his vision for the film to a fusion of iconic biographical films and documentaries about Bob Dylan, showcasing his intent to blend various styles and narratives.
