20,000 Days on Earth

Nick Cave shares his outlook on life and the world, but primarily his views on songwriting and artistic creativity.

20,000 Days on Earth
United Kingdom 2014
  • Czech
96 min.
Accessible
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About

The 20,000th day in the life of Nick Cave begins with his alarm clock going off and ends with a walk on the beach. The inner workings of an immensely creative and multifaceted individual – musician, composer, screenwriter, and novelist – are laid bare before the audience in this highly original, poetic, and distinctive mosaic. Acted scenes alternate with actual footage within a precisely formulated film structure and it’s up to viewers to decide which of the film’s layers they will be gulled by and which they will see for what they are – Cave’s visit to see a therapist, who turns out to be the respected modern philosopher Alain de Botton; the drives along the Brighton seafront; and the witty snatches of conversation between Cave and his colleagues. Nick Cave turns directly to the camera to share his outlook on life and the world, but primarily his views on songwriting and artistic creativity. For ninety-five minutes the viewer finds himself in the exclusive company of a talented and mesmeric personality.

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Credits
Director: Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard
Screenplay: Nick Cave, Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard
Cinematography: Erik Wilson
Music: Nick Cave, Warren Ellis
Sound: Joakim Sundström
Editing: Jonathan Amos
Production Design: Simon Rogers
Producer: Dan Bowen, James Wilson
Co-production: Alex Dunnett
Costumes: Jemima Penny
Cast: Nick Cave, Susie Bick, Darian Leader, Warren Ellis, Ray Winstone, Blixa Bargeld, Kylie Minogue, Arthur Cave, Earl Cave, Thomas Wydler
Awards

Sundance Film Festival

2014 – Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard (Directing Award)

Sundance Film Festival

2014 – Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard (Editing Award)

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