Cover Your Ears
When does free expression become obscenity?
Interview with Director/Producer/Editor Sean Patrick Shaul
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! Being a big music geek, I wanted to make this film as a study of how controversial music has shifted over the years while artists and the industry evolved around it.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This film really has something for everyone. We cover from Jazz to Rock N Roll to Gangsta Rap and look at how all of these artists share common ground.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I really had to confront my own record collection as we made this film and had to ask myself where my line in the sand was. Some of my favourite musicians can be guilty of abhorrent behaviour and I found it important to include some of that in the film and ask myself if can separate the art from the artist.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
We shot and produced this over a two-year period during the pandemic and it was a very unique process, shaping the film itself in a lot of ways.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We have done our German and Canadian premieres so far and have taken home Best Documentary awards at both festivals, so great!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
We are thrilled with the audience and festival responses so far!
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We are hoping to get as many eyes as possible on the film and to connect with buyers and broadcasters who are interested in the film.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
All of the above. As an indie production, we rely heavily on word of mouth and help from inside the industry.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would love to see other music fans looking at what they deem obscene or acceptable, how they decide that, and who are we allowing to make those decisions for us.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
When does free speech cross into obscenity or dangerous material?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We have a slate of upcoming projects that we are excited to bring to life!
Interview: July 2023
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Cover Your Ears
When does free expression become obscenity?
Length: 1:42:00
Director: Sean Patrick Shaul
Producer: Sean Patrick Shaul
Writer: Sean Patrick Shaul
About the writer, director and producer:
SEAN PATRICK SHAUL is an award-winning filmmaker who for over a decade has dealt with stories from the entertainment industry that lie beneath the radar of the common observer.
Key cast: Chuck D - Public Enemy (Doc Subject), Dee Snider - Twisted Sister (Doc Subject), Ian Hill - Judas Priest (Doc Subject), Country Joe Mcdonald - Country Joe And The Fish (Doc Subject), Jello Biafra - Dead Kennedys (Doc Subject), Ian Mackaye - Minor Threat (Doc Subject), Rhiannon Giddens - Carolina Chocolate Drops (Doc Subject)
Looking for: sales agents, distributors, journalists, film festival directors, buyers
Instagram: @prairiecoast
Hashtags used: #coveryourears
Other: IMDb
Made in association with: New Brighton Productions
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Melbourne Documentary Film Festival