It's About You is a 2012 music documentary film directed by father and son duo Ian & Kurt Markus. The films focus regards John Mellencamp's 2009 tour with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, and the recording of his new album in the month and a half of the tour.

It's About You
Theatrical release poster
Directed by
Written byKurt Markus
StarringJohn Mellencamp
Narrated byKurt Markus
Production
company
Little b Pictures[1]
Distributed byMPI Media Group
Release date
  • January 4, 2012 (2012-01-04)
Running time
86 Minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The film was shot entirely in the Super 8 format.[2]

Production

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Prior to filming, Kurt Markus and Mellencamp had been friends for twenty years. The two had shared a vision of the decline of small-town American life, shown when the tour drives through towns like Littlefield, Texas. Neither Kurt Markus, Ian Markus, Willie Nelson, or Bob Dylan appear on screen; there is no interview with Mellencamp.[1]

Kurt Markus, who narrates the film, summed up the film:

I think the music really isn’t about me. Yes I’m the filter, I tried to provide a context to really listen to John’s music. In that sense I’m the background and John is the heart and soul of it with his music.[3]

Release

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The film premiered on March 12, 2011 at the South by Southwest film festival.[2] It released in theatres on 4 January 2012.[1]

Critical reception

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The film opened to mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. It has a current 'rotten' rating of 57% on Rotten Tomatoes.[4] On Metacritic, the film has a rating of 55 based on 11 critic reviews, indicating mixed or average reviews.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Holden, Stephen (January 3, 2012). "On This Rock 'n' Roll Tour of the Heartland, a Sobering Survey of Old America". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 18, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Allen, Bennett (March 11, 2011). "It's About You, John Mellencamp Tour Documentary, Premieres at South by Southwest". Vanity Fair. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  3. ^ Cassidy, Kevin (March 13, 2011). "SXSW Q&A: John Mellencamp Doc Director Kurt Markus". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  4. ^ "It's About You". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
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