Television Review | 'Heavy Load'
A Band Rocking and Rolling Past a Few Barriers
By ANDY WEBSTER
Published: June 23, 2008
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/23/arts/television/23heav.html

It would be easy for "Heavy Load" - a documentary about the tribulations of
a middle-aged British garage-punk cover band of the same name - to lapse
into wet sentiment, and it often threatens to. But the film, Monday on IFC,
succeeds, thanks to the resilient dignity of its subjects.

What distinguishes "Heavy Load" from most rock documentaries is that three
of the group's five members, all from around Lewes, a town near England's
southern coast, have learning disabilities. The group comprises two support
workers (whether present or former is not made clear) - Mick Williams, its
lead guitarist, and Paul Richards, its bassist - as well as the vocalist
Simon Barker, the rhythm guitarist Jimmy Nichols and the drummer Michael
White. The film never reveals the extent of Mr. Barker's and Mr. Nichols'
conditions or examines their living arrangements in detail, but Mr. White
has Down syndrome.

Shot over two years, the film depicts how what began as an exercise between
the understated Mr. Williams and the spirited Mr. Nichols evolves into an
ensemble that moves from concerts for disabled audiences to pub gigs and
ultimately an appearance at the Wychwood Music Festival in Gloucestershire.
The band also establishes the Stay Up Late campaign, based on one of its
songs, which encourages the disabled to defy caregivers and enjoy pub life
beyond the hour they are customarily brought home.

Like most bands Heavy Load has its tensions. When Mr. Williams, after years
with the group, moves to France with his family, the disruption threatens to
destroy the outfit. The serious, skeptical Mr. White, a dynamo of a drummer,
speaks of finding a girlfriend, going solo and relocating to
Newcastle-on-Tyne, but his dreams are thwarted. Prone to tears in moments of
frustration, he is comforted by Mr. Barker, a gentle giant despite his
unnerving voice and fierce countenance.

[The film's subheading: A Film About Happiness might be meant as ironic, but
in the end the movie is] about struggle, the efforts of an ensemble
wrestling with artistic obstacles as well as biological ones. It's also a
portrait of British band life: playing in smoky pubs and studios and at
outdoor concerts and hustling tracks to a music publisher. And it is a
portrait of a nation with social services and a public so compassionate it
makes our own look heartless.

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'Heavy Load: A Film About Happiness' premiered in NYC at a special disTHIS!
screening with IFC on June 18th. More information, including the trailer
for the film can be seen online at:
http://www.disthis.org/June-18-2008.htm

Photos of the screening and the gig at Arlene's Grocery with Four Wheel City
which followed can be seen at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/superaleja/sets/72157605719487240/

The movie premieres on IFC tonight, Monday June 23rd at 9, Eastern time; 10,
Pacific time; 8, Central time.

Posted by:

Lawrence Carter-Long
Director of Advocacy, Disabilities Network of NYC
548 Broadway, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10012
Lawrence@...
http://dnnyc.net