ANVIL Director: They're Going To Have A Longer, More Successful Career As A Result Of The Film

Bryan Reesman of Attention Deficit Delirium recently conducted an interview with Sacha Gervasi — the director of "Anvil! The Story of Anvil", a mockumentary-like true account of fiftysomething Canadian heavy-metal practitioners Robb Reiner and Steve "Lips" Kudlow who, after a desultory European tour with their band ANVIL, decide to record a 13th album in a final attempt to fulfill their boyhead dreams of stardom. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Attention Deficit Delirium: Did you start the ANVIL film as a lark just to see what happened?

Gervasi: Kind of. I don't know if it was a lark, but it was more that I met Lips again after 20 years and was so blown away by him. He was so compelling in his absolute belief that one day things would happen for ANVIL. Of course, on the surface to look at him you'd think he is completely out of his mind. When we started spending time with him, the passion and belief level was so intense…at the beginning of the weekend I thought he was crazy and by Sunday night I was thinking he's right, ANVIL's going to make it. The winning enthusiasm of the singer was huge in making me realize that there was a movie [there]. Maybe it's about people who refuse to give up, even though they really should, according to the world, and also exploring the beauty of what it means to have that level of defiance and that level of belief and magical thinking. Cut to a week ago, [with me] standing on the side of the stage in Moncton, New Brunswick, with ANVIL blowing away 72,000 fans as they opened for AC/DC in the biggest concert of their lives, in their home country. It's happening. There you go, it's a dream coming true.

Attention Deficit Delirium: It's a strange time for the music industry, with bands making more money touring than selling albums. And you chose an interesting way to promote the film with your "Anvil Experience" screenings.

Gervasi: ANVIL is really a touring band. They're a live act. And specifically in conjunction with the movie, it becomes a really interesting live event. You don't see a movie, fall in love with the characters, and then they burst out of the screen and play to you, right in the movie theater. That's not done. I think that's the really exciting part, that we have this crazy live event. It's not like at the end of the movie they take off their wigs. That's who they are. You get emotional about these people, and there they are, right there.

Attention Deficit Delirium: There are painful truths in this movie that resonate with audiences, and even though we're laughing off some of their dilemmas, we sympathize greatly with Lips and Robb. While so many people seem to be compelled by the stories of "American Idol" contestants, those singers really haven't gone through what famous classic rock bands like AEROSMITH or JUDAS PRIEST or MAIDEN have. Members of those groups often grew up together, endured tough times together, clashed personally and artistically and evolved because of those experiences. That's what made them strong and gave them character. And ANVIL have gone through more hardship than most bands ever will, don't you think?

Gervasi: That's true, and I think that's why people respect that. Whether you like the band or like the music or don't, it doesn't make a difference because it's ultimately not about that. It's about their experience and still being together after 36 years and still going for it. That's pretty exemplary, no matter what field it could be. Lips said they could have been pyramid builders or guys on an oil rig. It's the same qualities. They're still here pounding away. I think that's important and that's why it's resonating. It's really nothing to do with the music. In fact, the music to most people is kind of off-putting. Ironically the people who hate heavy metal the most seem to be the ones who love the movie the most. It's weird.

Attention Deficit Delirium: Are you shooting more material for a follow-up?

Gervasi: Yes. We've been filming a lot of stuff. I filmed them at Giants Stadium, and we've just been doing a lot of stuff, so who knows what is going to come of that. We don't know what we're going to do with all the footage yet, but we're going to figure it out.
Attention Deficit Delirium: It looks like 2009 is the year of ANVIL. Hopefully the success of this movie will allow them to have a stronger touring career in the future?

Gervasi: AC/DC added them to the bill, and they had a great spike in ticket sales. People are interested in the band. If AC/DC is adding them to the bill and the promoters think it's making a difference, that's a good sign for ANVIL. They're starting to make money now, so from my point of view, it's mission accomplished. They're going to have a way longer, more successful career now as a result of the film than they were going to prior to this.

Read the entire interview from Attention Deficit Delirium.