You must be living under a rock if you have not heard of THE
BEATLES. At one point or another, their songs would have been a part of your
life (or will be for the younger ones) as generations upon generations would pass
on their knowledge, experiences, and music of this legendary band. You may even
have been conceived with their music---go ahead ask your parents.
If it’s one thing that Filipinos are known for, it’s their
musicality. And whether you’re a fan or not, musically inclined or
musically-challenged, here are eight things to look forward to for the
theatrical release of THE BEATLES: EIGHT DAYS A WEEK
1)
Bonus
Feature: The Shea Stadium concert
People would
often stay until the credits end for a “secret scene” or some snippet of either
a part two or the outtakes. We’re telling you know: Stay until the credits end.
Witness the restored, remastered Shea
Stadium performance, the first rock concert ever staged in a stadium in front
of more than 55,000 people. This bonus feature will only be available in cinemas.
2)
The
Philippines was a hard day’s fright?
Yes, the
infamous trip to Philippines back in July 1966 will be in this film. Will it be
a revelation? Is all forgiven and forgotten? We don’t know. You’ll have to
watch the movie to find out. One thing’s for sure: you’ll find out more about
our country when you google “Beatles Manila”. Sikat na naman ang Pilipinas.
3) A band of brothers
Director Ron Howard captures the emotional moment when the
usually reserved Paul McCartney gets misty discussing the first time Starr
played with the Beatles. Ringo Starr, an only child, was quoted as saying “I
felt like I suddenly had three brothers." This was one of the biggest
revelations according to Howard. “The kind of brotherhood that Ringo talks
about. And Paul talks about the connection that he and John had creatively and
as friends and how important that was, how they all worked together.”
4)
Howard
brings you back to the Happy Days
(without the The Fonz)
Get ready to time-travel as the story unfolds right at the
brink of their epic yet humble beginnings. Key historic moments were shaping up
the world during the rise of The Beatles, and Howard’s fresh parallel approach gives
you a better understanding of what it was like from the perspectives of the
band, its world, the fans, and their world. A common response to those who have seen the
film was “it was like almost being there”. Must have been some time machine Ron Howard
made.
5) The music is still AWESOME!
In
reality, back then, the audio was really, really bad. This must have been a
monumental challenge for the folks back at Apple Corps and White Horse Pictures.
But Howard’s team was able to find material that captured the music that
screaming fans mostly couldn’t hear. These were then digitized and restored for
more detail. The movie captures the sound as it should be. Classic.
6) Fighting for what’s right
Back
in 1964, The Beatles took a stand that they would not appear unless black fans
were allowed to sit where they liked at their concert at the Gator Bowl stadium
in Jacksonville, Florida. At a time of racial segregation in America, what The
Beatles did was courageous and truly inspiring, much like People Power but the
other way around. Little did they know that this “small” act played a key role
in helping to stamp out racial segregation in the U.S. This struggle later
inspired Paul McCartney to write Blackbird. He added: “We had loads of black
friends and many of our musical heroes were black. “To see in the film that
we’d actually put it in our contracts to ‘not be required to perform in front
of a segregated audience’ – we didn’t remember that. I was very impressed with
that. It was very cool.”
7) Rockin’ it old style: before social media
What
would today’s artists do without social media? We can all learn a thing or two
from The Beatles. Back then when talent, personality, and showmanship was
everything, it took more effort for artists to reach out to their fans, and for
fans to keep in touch with their idols. And then there’s the ever present press.
In front of the media, they were terrific together in every way: sharp, clever,
funny and quick. If John was the wittiest and had edge, Paul was twinkly and
charming and George and Ringo often had a good line. Also, Manager Brian
Epstein encouraged them to smarten up their image, wear suits and stop swearing
and smoking in public, in order to broaden their appeal. Know of anyone who
needs the same advice?
8) Personal connection
Do
you believe in Yesterday? When all you troubles seemed so far away? Have you
travelled that long and winding road? Yes Pinoys love The Beatles in spite of
what happened back in 1966. In a time of turmoil, war, LP’s, and when Pepsi and
Mirinda ruled. Their music was embedded in our lives. The legacy was passed on
and so were the LP’s, vinyl albums, the Songhits with chords and Jingle
magazine, cassette tapes, and so on. There will always be that Beatles song
that stirs you, moves you or calms you, and makes you emotional for a few
minutes.
The
Beatles are back. Prepare to discover them again in The Beatles: Eight Days A
Week in cinemas beginning September 21. But come to think of it, they never did
leave.
Distributed
in the Philippines by Solar Pictures. Solar Pictures is on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @solarpicturesPH
