Good Ol’ Freda
If you’re a fan of the Beatles you will have seen it. It’s everywhere you look. What I’m talking about is the advertising campaign for the independent film Good Ol’ Freda. You can’t surf the internet without it popping up everywhere. I’ve resisted writing about it much, but I’m giving in. The reason? I just watched the trailer. It looks really, really good and worth your time.
The film premiered at the prestigious SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas and then toured a plethora of other film festivals, and then it was shown at the recent fest for Beatles fans in Chicago.
Here’s the blurb:
Freda Kelly was just a shy Liverpudlian teenager
when she was asked to work for a local band hoping to make it big.
Though she had no concept of how far they would go, Freda had faith in
the Beatles from the beginning, and the Beatles had faith in her.
History notes that the Beatles were together for 10 years, but Freda
worked for them for 11. Many people came in and out of the band’s circle
as they grew to international stardom, but Freda remained a staple
because of her unfaltering loyalty and dedication. As the Beatles’
devoted secretary and friend, Freda was there as history unfolded; she
was witness to the evolution—advances and setbacks, breakthroughs and
challenges—of the greatest band in history.
The film has been funded by donations from Beatles fans who wanted to see it.
The film will be on VOD and iTunes starting September 6th, and the DVD will be released in early December.
The film includes the following songs:
Arthur Alexander – Anna
The Beatles – I Saw Her Standing There
Ketty Lester – Love Letters
The Isley Brothers – Twist and Shout
The Beatles – Love Me Do
Fats Domino – I’m Ready
Buddy Holly – Words of Love
The Drifters – Some Kind of Wonderful
The Marvelettes – Please Mr. Postman
The Beatles – I Feel Fine
The Shirelles – Boys
The Cookies – Chains
Carl Perkins – Honey Don’t
Little Richard – Long Tall Sally
The Beatles – I Will
Puzzling though, all upcoming cinema screenings are confined to Northern America and the film is not yet scheduled for any screenings in other countries, not even in England. Not even at the upcoming international Beatle Week in Liverpool, which brings together not only Americans but Beatles fans from all over the civilized world. Why? You should probably ask marketing at Magnolia films.
Trailer:
I was lucky enough to see the film at the Fest for Beatle fans in Chicago this past weekend. Oh my goodness…it is amazing! I have seen a lot of Beatle documentaries over the years and honestly this one was one of the best. Make sure to bring your tissues with you, because it is a tear jerker!
I will be writing about it on my blog soon. I have contact with the folks who made the film, so I will ask them about showings outside of the U.S.
well if it has Paul's step mother involved then I assume he will do everything he can to stop it. I believe they aren't on good terms…