The Nikolas Rossi-directed film Heaven Adores You details the life of deceased singer-songwriter Elliott Smith--the project is due out on DVD, Blue-ray and digital formats on July 17. Rolling Stone gave anxious fans an inside look at an informational clip that strings together a few of over 30 interviews with Smith's closest friends, family members and collaborators including Jon Brion and Slim Moon of Kill Rock Stars.
The teaser clip details the whispery singer's quick shot to fame trailing his "Miss Misery" Oscar nomination from the 1997 Gus Van Sant film, Good Will Hunting.
"I stood behind Elliott watching Elliott watch himself perform on television on [Late Night With Conan O'Brien]," Owner of former NYC venue Luna Lounge, Rob Sacher, details following a clip of Smith's debut on television. "There was an intensity about him standing in front of me that was as intense as him performing by himself on that stool on television. At that moment, I realized that Elliott was going to be a star."
The songwriter's friends continued to reminisce the whirlwind that surrounded Smith during his nomination and succeeding performance during the award show. "They were trying to get us to not walk down the red carpet," his date to the ceremony and ex-girlfriend, Joanna Bolme, recalls. "We ended up walking down the red carpet behind Madonna, so there's no footage of us."
Rossi meticulously splices in archived Smith interviews in which the singer remembers lying to Celine Dion about the intense nerves he felt in order to let the winner of Best Song to "say what she was gonna say."
"It was a big win for music," said Rob Schnapf, co-producer of four Elliott Smith albums including XO and Either/Or.
Looking to own HEAVEN ADORES YOU on DVD or Blu Ray? Our release date is JULY 17th! https://t.co/g6XPEhd2Wh
— Heaven Adores You (@heavenadoresyou) July 7, 2015
"By threading the music of Elliott Smith through the dense, yet often isolating landscapes of the three major cities he lived in — Portland, New York City, Los Angeles — Heaven Adores You presents a visual journey and an earnest review of the singer's prolific songwriting and the impact it continues to have on fans, friends, and fellow musicians," notes the Heaven Adores You official site.
Heaven Adores You made its theater debut in May, four years after Rossi's initial Kickstarter to fund the documentary film. Smith's celebrated catalogue will act as a major part of the film alongside various unreleased tracks waiting to be heard. Check out Elliott Smith's cover of The Beatles' "Yer Blues" off of The White Album.
