Stop Making Sense

Concert film about Talking Heads, a balancing act between concert recording and performance art.

This sublime concert film of The Talking Heads (made at the height of their fame) is a seemingly effortless balancing act between a traditional concert recording and performance art, just like the music group in its heyday struck a perfect balance between critical success and popularity.

Director Jonathan Demme keeps the live act at the centre of attention, without panning to the audience or shooting the group backstage. The concert opens with singer David Byrne who brings an intense version of their first hit ‘Psycho Killer’ on an empty stage, only accompanied by a cassette player. The other band members appear one by one for each next song, in a chronologically structured set that illustrates how the band grew and developed its signature sound. For "Burning Down the House", the entire group is on stage, and the rich sound, combined with front man Byrne’s spirited stage performance, makes for one of the most spine-tingling moments in cinema.

© Palm Pictures