Audience at Tribeca Film Festival chooses Rush rockumentary

(Gerard Gentil)

The rockumentary Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage, about the Canadian progressive rock trio Rush, was chosen for the Tribeca Film Festival's 2010 Heineken Audience Award.

Directed by Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn, who share the $25,000 prize, the film chronicles the 42-year history of the band, and profiles bandmates Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart.

The documentary features archival and live concert footage of these Canadian rock icons as well as interviews including with Kiss's Gene Simmons and Smashing Pumpkin's Billy Corgan.

Despite critics' mixed reactions, the film's reception shows the huge fan base, prompting lead singer Lee to call them the "The world's biggest cult band."

Like last year's film about Canadian rockers, Anvil, which won the Independent Spirit Award, this documentary won the audience over. The main difference is that the band Anvil never succeeded, while the number of Rush gold and platinum records is just behind that of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles.

Rush: Behind the Lighted Stage played the Hot Docs Festival (www.hotdocs.ca/) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the world's largest documentary film festival, running through May 9.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk8hbSxY0sE&feature=related

Website: http://www.bangerfilms.com

RC