XLrator Media has set a summer theatrical release (no exact date) for Andre Benjamin’s Jimi Hendrix project, now titled, Jimi: All Is By My Side, another high-profile film based on the life of a real-life person that’s been burdened with controversy since it started production, and which made its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last weekend.
The Hendrix project sadly didn’t have the approval of Jimi Hendrix’s estate to use any of the musician’s original songs, with reps for the estate accusing the filmmakers of moving forward with the project without their official permission. Therefore the film is free of all Hendrix-written classics like Purple Haze or The Wind Cries Mary, because of rights issues. To assist, the producers set the film in “Hendrix’s pre-fame era,” as they said, and the music used are covers of other musicians’ songs Hendrix performed.
The feature film is written and directed by John Ridley.
It will have its U.S. Premiere next Wednesday, March 12th at 9pm at the Paramount Theater at the SXSW Film Festival. Attendees include John Ridley, Imogen Poots and music supervisor/producer Danny Bramson.
Zeba reviewed it post its TIFF screening, and, in short, she wasn’t impressed. Read her reactions HERE.
No trailer yet, but check out the 2 clips released this week below: