Nominated for Best Documentary Feature
Q&A with Director Antony Crook and band member Stuart Braithwaite
Over 25 years and 10 studio albums Mogwai have defined their own musical genre and built a loyal following by staying true to their sound and true to their roots. The film takes us on a journey from their very beginnings in the mid 1990s, to the band writing their tenth studio album during lockdown.
If the Stars Had a Sound centers around Mogwai, the influential space-rock band from Glasgow, highlighting their impact on the musical landscape and paying tribute to their loyal community of fans.
Mogwai’s 10th studio album, As the Love Continues, lies at the heart of this documentary. Its story begins in the Highlands of Scotland, where the band were “auditioning” new music via a series of small concerts. When the COVID pandemic derailed further touring plans, Mogwai took refuge in the studio. The ensuing album scored number 1 on the UK album charts, a pleasant surprise for this decidedly non-mainstream group of post-rock underdogs.
Featuring archival footage and a vast soundtrack of Mogwai’s newer and older work, the film examines the band’s unexpected rise to the top, after so many years on the fringes of mainstream rock. Live musical performances are interspersed with discussions from fans and musicians.
If the Stars Had a Sound is an emotional rollercoaster, with gut-wrenching performances, heartfelt tributes from fans, and a focus on the sense of community elicited by Mogwai’s music. Mogwai have always eschewed traditional rock clichés and this film is a tribute and testament to their artistic freedom. A visual and aural feast.
Review by Manuel Delgadillo
