The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal is a Canadian television documentary series, slated to premiere on Prime Video in 2024.[1] Directed by filmmaker Mike Downie, the four-episode series profiles the history of the influential Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip, including interviews with the band members and other cultural figures including musician Geddy Lee, comedians The Trailer Park Boys, actor Will Arnett and broadcaster George Stroumboulopoulos.[2]
| The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Music documentary |
| Directed by | Mike Downie |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 4 |
| Production | |
| Production companies | Fully and Complete Productions Amazon MGM Studios |
| Original release | |
| Network | Amazon Prime Video |
Production
editDownie described the series as "the most fulfilling experience and rewarding experience I’ve ever had in making a film", but also the hardest thing he had ever done since working on the project sparked a lot of memories of the death of lead singer Gord Downie, his brother.[3]
According to Downie, the goal of the series was not just to document the band's history, but also to explore the question of how the band's music came to resonate so strongly with Canadians.[3]
Release
editThe series received a preview screening at the Royal Alexandra Theatre on September 5, 2024, as part of the Primetime program at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival,[4] in advance of its Prime Video debut on September 20.[5] The screening was followed by an outdoor public singalong of Tragically Hip songs "Grace, Too", "Ahead by a Century" and "Bobcaygeon", led by Choir! Choir! Choir![6]
Critical response
editAlex Hudson of Exclaim! rated the series 8 out of 10, writing that "At the heart of the story, of course, is Gord Downie — whose art and personality retain a certain enigma in spite of this deep dive. His tragic absence means that he's never able to offer the same level of career retrospection as his bandmates. The final episode, which covers the end of the Hip as well as his later solo works and activism, is a tear-jerker. And yet, even in its saddest moments, No Dress Rehearsal is about celebrating rather than wallowing."[7]
Awards
editThe Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal won TIFF's People's Choice Award for Documentaries.[8]
References
edit- ^ Alex Hudson, "The Tragically Hip Announce Prime Video Docuseries 'No Dress Rehearsal' and TIFF Premiere, Share Trailer". Exclaim!, August 9, 2024.
- ^ Rosie Long Decter, "Tragically Hip Docuseries 'No Dress Rehearsal' Will Premiere at TIFF". Billboard, August 9, 2024.
- ^ a b Nick Krewen, "Revisiting his brother’s death for a Tragically Hip docuseries was the hardest but also most fulfilling thing Mike Downie has ever done". Toronto Star, September 5, 2024.
- ^ "Tragically Hip documentary series set for world premiere at Toronto film festival". CP24, August 9, 2024.
- ^ Alex Hudson, "The Tragically Hip Set Release Date for Docuseries 'No Dress Rehearsal' on Prime Video". Exclaim!, August 26, 2024.
- ^ David Friend, "Tragically Hip fans belt out band’s classics en masse as TIFF gets underway". Toronto Star, September 5, 2024.
- ^ Alex Hudson, "TIFF 2024: The Tragically Hip's 'No Dress Rehearsal' Tears Down the Myth While Honouring the Legacy". Exclaim!, September 5, 2024.
- ^ Steve Pond, "‘The Life of Chuck’ Wins Toronto Film Festival’s People’s Choice Award". TheWrap, September 15, 2024.