Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > 'American Masters: Pearl Jam Twenty' premieres Oct. 21 as part of AETN Arts Fridays
Posted 11 Oct 2011
American Masters: Pearl Jam Twenty, a new film by Academy Award-winning director Cameron Crowe, will premiere on the Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) Friday, Oct. 21, at 9 p.m. as part of AETN Arts Fridays.
Told in big themes and bold colors with blistering sound, Pearl Jam Twenty chronicles the years leading up to the bands formation, the chaos that ensued soon-after being catapulted into superstardom, their step back from the spotlight with the instinct of self-preservation, and the creation of a trusted circle that would surround themgiving way to a work culture that would sustain them. Part concert film, part insider hang, part testimonial to the power of music and uncompromising artists, the film celebrates the freedom that allows Pearl Jam to make music without losing themselves, their fans, or the music lovers theyve always been.
Its really great to have these baseline cultural institutions like AETN, that not only give us a chance to watch American Masters and see this programming thats made by people outside the state, but also produces a lot of in-state, local programming, Arkansas Democrat Gazette MovieStyle Editor and columnist Philip Martin said.
And you can see bands like the Salty Dogs and The Smittle Band, Bonnie Montgomery and the Cate Brothers on AETN Presents. Weve got a great culture; its a really preternaturally interesting culture.
Pearl Jam Twenty features new interviews with original band members Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, and Eddie Vedder, drummer Matt Cameron, and friend and Soundgarden singer/guitarist Chris Cornell, as well as archival performances and interview footage of Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam, Temple of the Dog, Kurt Cobain and Neil Young.
American Masters: Pearl Jam Twenty airs as part of the PBS Fall Arts Festival and AETN Arts Fridays. As part of the PBS Fall Arts Festival, www.pbsarts.org will host an online interactive exhibit that takes viewers into the design process behind Pearl Jams CD and poster artwork.
Pearl Jam Twenty is produced by Vinyl Films in association with Temolo Productions for Monekywrench Films and in association with THIRTEENs American Masters for WNET. Funding for American Masters is made possible by the support of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and public television viewers.
AETN Arts Fridays brings world class arts and culture programming to your living roomwith local Arkansas authors and bands via locally produced arts and culture series AETN Presents at 6:30 p.m. and the unprecedented PBS Fall Arts Festival at 9 p.m. More information about AETN Arts Fridays and the PBS Fall Arts Festival, including previews, are available at www.aetn.org/aetnartsfridays.
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is Arkansass statewide public television network that enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. For more information, visit www.aetn.org, or follow the AETN blog at www.aetn.org/engage. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), and KETZ (El Dorado).