The Sparks Brothers - Talent is an Asset

It seems that 2021 is the year of Sparks (and ABBA, of course), with not one but two 'Sparks projects' hitting the big screen. 

Edgar Wright's documentary film about Sparks arrived in UK cinemas on the 30th July. It chronicles Sparks' extraordinarily productive, often-contradictory and always energetic career in music. Wright described his film as "a document of their incredible journey in music and everyone they’ve inspired along the way.”

On the 3rd September - today, as I write - the second 'Sparks project' is being welcomed into cinemas: Annette, a strange and audacious musical which wowed critics at Cannes. 

Annette is the brainchild of Ron and Russell Mael. The Sparks brothers supplied a score and wrote the screenplay. Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard star and it is directed by Leos Carax.

A cinematic theatricality has long been a key ingredient in Sparks' music, so this development feels like a natural one. I'm told that the film is a startling viewing experience.. just what you would expect from a band that enjoys pushing envelopes around. 

If you have been to see Annette, please let us know what you made of it.    

For seasoned Sparks fans diving once more into 'Sparks-world' or those discovering 'your favourite band's favourite band' for the first time... Omnibus Press has published a critically acclaimed biography of the group. Daryl Easlea's book Talent is an Asset - The Story of Sparks is available now in paperback from the Omnibus store or wherever you get your Sparks books.