Mark Linkous, the driving force behind the band Sparklehorse, was the man who literally died and came back to life. His existence mirrored h...
Mark Linkous, the driving force behind the band Sparklehorse, was the man who literally died and came back to life. His existence mirrored his mesmerising and unique music. He was at once a humble, modest man; the epitome of a Southern Gentlemen. He was also a self-destructive, recovering drug addict who battled with debilitating bouts of manic-depression. The dual nature of his personality reflects the extremes of his music; beautiful, surreal, off-kilter pop contrasted with dark, distorted ballads and discordant punk-rock. After a long battle with depression, Linkous committed suicide by shooting himself in the heart in 2010. Linkous was a man who had no other choice but to be a musician, operating in the space between creative genius and insanity. The film will explore the theme that mental illness is allied to creativity, using Linkous as an example of why highly creative people seem to suffer from severe psychiatric illness, especially Bipolar disorder. Linkous was championed by and collaborated with some of the most iconic artists of modern times including, Radiohead, David Lynch, Danger Mouse, PJ Harvey, Tom Waits and The Flaming Lips. The filmmakers have already shot UK based interviews with Jonathon Donahue and Grasshopper (Mercury Rev), Ed Harcourt, Gemma Hayes, Adam Wiltzie (Stars of the Lid), Emily Haines (Metric), Adrian Utley (Portishead), John Parish and Matthew Wright and are now looking to fund the US and European leg of production. The Sad & Beautiful ... Less
