The rock don't stop - today's Filmmakers in Focus presents a selection of filmmakers riffing on documentaries screening in the 24 Beats Per Second section, composed of music-related films.
Click on a title below to read the conversation, then start planning your SXSW with our film schedule. Want more info on music at the movies? Head to this page!
Lily Keber on Bayou Maharajah: The Tragic Genius of James Booker
Image courtesy Anton Corbijn
Tell us a little about your film.
Bayou Maharajah tells the story of James Booker, the man Dr. John called the "best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced." A typical Booker solo set (though nothing about him was typical) might start with Rachmaninoff, venture into some 50's R&B, stop off on a church pew before ending up in a Sinatra song. Along the way, he might change the key of the song to match the pitch of a car honking outside. His only charting hit, 'Gonzo,' lent its name to Hunter S. Thompson's writing style. He played with legendary musicians- Aretha, Ray Charles, Jerry Garcia, Little Richard, Ringo- yet his own career never took off.
Ask any New Orleans musician over the age of 40 and they're bound to have a Booker story. He'd show up to gigs dressed in capes and wigs. His signature look was an eyepatch emblazoned with stars. Often he was as likely to sit and rant from the stage as to play. Some nights he'd pull out a cap gun and hold it to his head, shouting that he wouldn't play another note until someone brought him cocaine. In a city known for its crazy characters, Booker is the crown prince.
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Why did you make the film? 
Lily Keber courtesy
Bayou Maharajah
When I moved to New Orleans, I had no idea who James Booker was. I was bar tending at the 9th Ward dive Vaughan's Lounge and would play him on the jukebox during slow day shifts. The music didn't really make sense to me, but neither did the stories that people would tell about him. I was curious to learn more about him, so I started asking around. I had made short videos and video journalism before, but never anything of this length. Wow. Making a feature-length film is a whole different beast!
Tell us a random fact (or two!) that would help our attendees get a better idea of who you are.
I live full time in New Orleans. I'm born in NC and went to school in GA. I haven't been to Austin in a few years and am super excited to come back. I have a long list of things to eat while in Austin: tacos, enchiladas, migas.. mm… . New Orleans is known for its food, but it's next to impossible to get this kinda stuff.
- Add Bayou Maharajah: The Tragic Genius of James Booker to your schedule here
- Click here to read all Filmmakers in Focus interviews to date
Reuben Atlas on Brothers Hypnotic
Image courtesy James Mooney
Tell us a little about your film.
It's a coming-of-age documentary about the brotherhood of the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble: 8 brothers, extraordinary brass musicians from the South Side of Chicago, all sons of anti-establishment jazz legend, Phil Cohran. Cohran and their mothers raised them together on a strict diet of jazz, funk and Black Consciousness. Family band practice began at 6 AM.
In 2007, when I met them and began filming, they were playing in the streets of New York City. I've followed their journey over 5 years, across continents, and through the tribulations of independent tours, major record label offers, and music superstar collaborations.
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Why did you start making films? 
Reuben Atlas, courtesy
James Mooney
I started making films in my 3rd year of law school to help people unfairly incarcerated under New York's Rockefeller Drug Laws.
Have you been to SXSW before?
This is my first SXSW. I'm looking forward to seeing my film with an audience of strangers, spending an entire week watching the best new films out there, and wearing cowboy boots.
Tell us a random fact (or two!) that would help our attendees get a better idea of who you are.
At some point in my life, I have considered all of these professional musicians heroes: Pete Seeger, Tone Loc, Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Waylon Jennings, Willie Colon and Bill Withers.
- Add Brothers Hypnotic to your schedule here
- Click here to read all Filmmakers in Focus interviews to date
Jeanie Finlay on The Great Hip Hop Hoax
Image courtesy The Great Hip Hop HoaxTell us a little about your film.
Californian hip-hop duo Silibil n' Brains were going to be massive. What no-one knew was the pair were really students from Scotland, with fake American accents and made up identities.
Their 'Hip Hop Hoax' lasted three years and fooled record label execs, girlfriends and band members. For a while the boys lived the dream but in the end the lie destroyed their friendship and almost their lives.
As soon as I read about the deception Silibil n’ Brains pulled off I knew I wanted to make a film about their story. I was intrigued with how the lie took on a life of it’s own and ran away from them.
Everybody lies everyday, it's human nature but what happens when you lie about your whole identity to get what you want? I felt haunted by the idea that the boys changed themselves fundamentally, all for the hollow promise of fame. I wanted to discover how they did it and what the lasting effect on them was…
Why did you start making films? 
Jeanie Finlay,
courtesy filmmakers
I was an artist for many years before ever picking up a film camera. I discovered the conversations I was having with people as I photographed them were fascinating so I decided to start filming them. I've not looked back.
Have you been to SXSW before? What are you most looking forward to?
Yes! I was at SXSW in 2011 for the world premiere of SOUND IT OUT which was absolutely amazing. I've never had so much fun at a film festival. I'm really looking forward to the Austin audiences.
Tips - sleep when you get home.
Tell us a random fact (or two!) that would help our attendees get a better idea of who you are.
I am a terrible liar!
I wish that John Waters was my Godfather.
My nice husband makes nasty horror films.
I play the cello and for a while was in a country band called "Tiny Tears". We played sad songs.
- Add The Great Hip Hop Hoax to your schedule here
- Click here to read all Filmmakers in Focus interviews to date
Andy Capper on Reincarnated
Image courtesy ReincarnatedTell us a little about your film.
It's Snoop's life and career set to the making of his new album and shows a side to him that nobody outside his family and friends has really seen before. It's an intimate, funny, emotional documentary that charts the life and times of an American icon and shows his reasons for the Snoop Lion incarnation. We shot in places, such as the Nyabinghi Temple, that nobody has ever seen inside before. There's also more weed in this film than any film ever made in the history of cinema.
When did you start making films? 
Andy Capper,
courtesy Reincarnated
I started making films aged like 10 on my dad's cine-camera. I had a 20-odd year break and when Vice began making documentaries I started again. I guess Swansea Love Story, The Vice Guide To Liberia, Krokodil Tears, Mandingo!, Beautiful Liverpool and Donk are the best ones. Reincarnated is my first nationwide theatrical release. Shout outs to Suroosh Alvi, Vice co-founder for commissioning me for Reincarnated. I can honestly say it changed / saved my life.
Have you been to SXSW before?
Yeah I love Austin and SXSW. The cops wear cowboy boots.
The Noisey Raps / Ghostface / Bronson / Danny Brown / 100s / Bodega Bamz show is gonna be crazy. Also, obviously SNOOP LION. You hear me?
Tell us a random fact (or two!) that would help our attendees get a better idea of who you are.
I co-founded Vice in the UK 10 years ago. Used to work for NME and before that I was a court reporter in Liverpool.
I moved to New York last year and am finishing up a new feature documentary called Lil Bub & Friendz, about the internet cat of the same name. I also made a bunch of music videos last year two. A$AP Rocky, Black Lips, Vybz Kartel, Beenie Man, Turbonegro, Popcaaan, Snoop Lion.
I have a GSOH and am into boasting on the internet.
- Add Reincarnated to your schedule here
- Click here to read all Filmmakers in Focus interviews to date
Chris Simon & Maureen Gosling on This Ain't No Mouse Music!
Image courtesy filmmakersTell us a little about your film.
Roots music icon Chris Strachwitz (Arhoolie Records) has fought against slick "mouse" music since 1960. We join him for on a hip-shaking stomp from Texas to New Orleans, Cajun country to Appalachia, on a passionate quest for the musical soul of America. Along the way we meet Ry Cooder, Mance Lipscomb, Flaco & Santiago Jimenez, the Savoy family, Richard Thompson and hear a lot of great music.
Why did you start making films? 
(L-R) Chris Simon &
Maureen Gosling,
courtesy filmmakers
We each met renown documentarian Les Blank, who taught us on the job. Maureen was handed a tape-recorder and told "point the microphone at the person talking." She worked with Les for close to 20 years, editing most of his films including "Burden of Dreams" about Werner Herzog. Chris moved next door to Les and eventually married him. She took up filmmaking when it became obvious she'd never see him if she didn't work with him. She produced, did sound, and edited many of his later films including "Innocents Abroad.
Have you been to SXSW before?
No! We're looking forward to being in Austin & hearing lots of music! Plus celebrating the film after 7 years of work.
Tell us a random fact (or two!) that would help our attendees get a better idea of who you are.
Maureen started the Austin Film Festival back in 1975 with filmmaker Eagle Pennell.
Chris loves Texas music beyond all other. She used to make more money as a Polynesian dancer than as a filmmaker.
