LOCAL>> DocLands: The Sparks Brothers

THE SPARKS BROTHERS
WONDERLANDS

The brothers Sparks (Russell and Ron Mael) have been making music for over five decades, yet their band Sparks remains unknown to many.

Director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Baby Driver) gives us an exhilarating and incisive look—one of the highlights of this year’s Sundance—at this insanely creative duo. Sparks have a devoted cult following, having influenced everyone from Paul McCartney to Depeche Mode—not to mention The Smiths, Nirvana, Franz Ferdinand, and Björk. The band’s mantra of never remaining stagnant has influenced their ever-evolving musical style that has ranged from glam rock, power pop, synth pop, to techno and more.

They’ve recorded 25 studio albums in over 50 years with producing luminaries like Todd Rundgren and Tony Visconti. Wright incorporates archival footage, animated sequences, and interviews with musicians, actors, and cohorts alike (including Mike Myers, Flea, and Patton Oswalt) to put a spotlight on “your favorite band’s favorite band.”