This Much I Know to Be True

Not to be confused with I Know This Much Is True.

This Much I Know to Be True
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAndrew Dominik
Produced by
  • Isaac Hoff
  • Amy James
Starring
CinematographyRobbie Ryan
Edited byMatthew C. Hart
Music by
  • Nick Cave
  • Warren Ellis
Production
companies
  • Bad Seed Ltd
  • Uncommon Creative Studio
Distributed byTrafalgar Releasing
Release dates
  • 12 February 2022 (2022-02-12) (Berlin)
  • 11 May 2022 (2022-05-11) (Worldwide)
Running time
105 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Box office$434,251[1]

This Much I Know to Be True is a 2022 British documentary film directed by Andrew Dominik. It is a companion to Dominik's documentary One More Time with Feeling (2016). The film had its world premiere on 12 February 2022 at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival.

Synopsis

This Much I Know to Be True explores the creative relationship between Australian musicians Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. It features their first performances of songs from their last two studio albums, Ghosteen and Carnage. It was filmed in spring 2021 before their UK tour. Cave and Ellis are accompanied by singers and a string quartet. The film also features an appearance by Cave's longtime friend and collaborator Marianne Faithfull.[2]

The performances are combined with interlude segments exploring the creation and themes of the music.[2] The film also explores of the process of Cave writing The Red Hand Files, a website he uses to respond to questions from fans.[3] It also includes a visit to the workshop of London-based sculptor Corin Johnson, who assists with The Devil – A Life, a series of seventeen Staffordshire stoneware sculptures created by Cave depicting the devil's life.[4][5][6]

Cast

Production

Dominik was first contacted by Cave while Dominik was finishing work on his film Blonde about the life of Marilyn Monroe. Dominik felt his schedule left him without the time necessary to travel to London and shoot during the COVID-19 pandemic. He initially planned to decline Cave's request, but felt compelled to accept upon relistening to Ghosteen.[2] The film was shot in five days on location in London and Brighton.[7] The performances were shot in Battersea Arts Centre.[8][9]

Release

The film premiered on 12 February 2022 in the Berlinale Special section at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival.[10] The film was released worldwide on 11 May 2022 by Trafalgar Releasing in what was dubbed a "global cinema event".[11][12]

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 100% based on 39 reviews, with an average rating of 8.0/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "A must-watch for Nick Cave fans, This Much I Know to Be True simply and soberly highlights the redemptive power of music."[13] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 81 out of 100 based on 14 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[14]

Wendy Ide of Screen International called it "simply executed but undeniably powerful in its lean, stripped back elegance."[15] Jessica Kiang of Variety wrote, "This remarkable performance documentary may be for the Nick Cave-curious exclusively, but for them (us) it is close to essential."[16]

References

  1. ^ "This Much I Know to Be True (2022)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Uncommon Creative Studio (19 January 2022). "Nick Cave and Warren Ellis to Star in Feature Documentary 'This Much I Know To Be True'". www.lbbonline.com. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  3. ^ Trendell, Andrew (9 May 2022). "'This Much I Know To Be True' review: an engrossing and intimate portrait of Nick Cave". NME. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  4. ^ Rooney, David (12 February 2022). "'This Much I Know to Be True': Film Review | Berlin 2022". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  5. ^ Eccleston, Danny (January 2023). "It Felt Like I was Released In Some Way". Mojo. No. 350. p. 46.
  6. ^ Woodcock, Victoria (12 October 2022). "True bromance: Brad Pitt, Nick Cave and the artist helping them to heal". Financial Times. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  7. ^ Weintraub, Steve (6 May 2022). "Andrew Dominik on 'This Much I Know to Be True' and Nick Cave and Warren Ellis' Relationship". Collider. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  8. ^ "This Much I Know To Be True review". Retrieved 13 August 2022.Little White Lies
  9. ^ Keough, Peter (30 June 2022). "Mourning and music making collide in 'This Much I Know to Be True'". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  10. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (19 January 2022). "Berlin Selection Unveiled: Claire Denis, Hong Sangsoo, Rithy Panh, Dario Argento Head to Festival". Variety. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  11. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (2 March 2022). "Nick Cave, Warren Ellis Film 'This Much I Know to Be True' Sets Release Date". Variety. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  12. ^ Grater, Tom (2 March 2022). "Andrew Dominik's Nick Cave Doc 'This Much I Know To Be True' Sets Global Event-Style Cinema Release In May". Deadline. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  13. ^ "This Much I Know To Be True". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  14. ^ "This Much I Know to Be True". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  15. ^ Ide, Wendy (12 February 2022). "'This Much I Know To Be True': Berlin Review". Screen International. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  16. ^ Kiang, Jessica (25 February 2022). "'This Much I Know to Be True' Review: Andrew Dominik's Hypnotic and Haunting Nick Cave Performance Documentary". Variety. Retrieved 9 May 2022.