“Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck” has been one of the most anticipated chronicles of the rock community in years. The standards anticipated for the film were far surpassed by the vividity and artfulness ultimately rising from the documentary.
Directed by Brett Morgen, this film gives insight into the life of Nirvana’s lead man, Kurt Cobain, and his struggles with stardom. Morgen creatively depicts Cobain’s life just as artistically as the work made by Cobain himself.
After being approached by Courtney Love, Cobain’s widow, with the idea for the film, Morgen began production in cooperation with Cobain’s family and friends. This approach allows for deep insight into Cobain’s life that previous documentaries have not been able to achieve.
Due to the way film was proposed, there had been some general concern regarding whether it would be biased toward Love’s vision. However, the film shows absolutely no signs of that, and feels objectively focused on shining light on the late Cobain and his artistic genius.
The title phrase, “Montage of Heck,” refers to a mixtape Cobain created in 1986. That tape features combinations of sampled music blended with sounds from Cobain’s life. Morgen’s documentary seeks to create an amalgamation of every artistic aspect of Cobain’s life, similar to the mixtape Cobain had created years prior.
During a screening of the film in Seattle on Wednesday night, Morgen spoke about his artistic approach to creating this film. “[Cobain] had created this oral and visual autobiography of his life,” Morgen said. “My job was to fill in the gaps.”
Morgen’s dream to bridge these cracks culminated in a documentary formulated in a completely unique way. The film feels personal, combining interviews with friends and family, home videos, footage from early Nirvana gigs, stylized versions of journal entries, and illustrations voiced over with Cobain’s voice.
This provokes a strange feeling when watching the documentary of being inside Cobain’s life; it’s almost invasive, like there’s a released secret that wasn’t meant to be shared. But there’s something satisfying about that. There’s something profound about having a one-on-one relationship with the forever famous, dead, grunge star. Each performance featured in the film creates a consequence for viewers of feeling physically present at a live Nirvana show about 21 years after Cobain’s death.
In addition to the incredibly ingenious visuals which are sure to capture the viewer’s gaze and mind, there is an intimate effect permeating from the screen, seeping into the emotional gut of viewers. There is a beautifully sharp contrast between the raw sound of the never-before-seen footage and the cleanness of the staged interviews.
Although at times it seems as if the interviews are a bit too controlled, they nevertheless provide insight into Cobain’s life unlike any prior journalistic piece. There is a sense of godliness toward Cobain emanating from each interview, emphasizing the sheer legendary quality Cobain held over those in his life.
The film ends abruptly, leaving viewers slightly confused at the sudden cut of footage. But somehow this makes sense. The blunt cut acts as a symbol for the suddenness of Cobain’s death: unexpected, yet eternally powerful.
The verdict: This film is one-of-a-kind in its content and artistry, a must-see for anyone interested in imaginative filmmaking or the fascinating life of Kurt Cobain.
Reach writer Rebecca Gross at arts@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @becsgross
