Destroy Memphis

Lucero: Bright Stars on Lonesome Nights(en)

Southern indie rockers Lucero hit the road in this documentary, which shows the Memphis, Tennessee band on tour and in the studio. In addition to candid interviews with band members Ben Nichols, Roy Berry, John Stubblefield and Brian Venable, the video features footage of the band on tour with The North Mississippi All-Stars, in the studio for the recording of "Tennessee" and performing live at the Memphis in May Music Festival.

Mentality “Girls Like Us”(en)

Filmed in the city of Memphis, Tennessee, this documentary tells the stories of four twentysomethings who are living their lives under the scrutiny and judgment often faced by those who clash with mainstream gender norms. Lizzy G, Kyta, and Yella Man are lesbian studs, and Ashton is an out trans man. While Lizzy G struggles to overcome abuse from her past, Kyta wants to free herself from her Asian family's expectations about her future. Ashton is navigating the tribulations of transition. And Yella Man? She's just trying to have a good time.

Negro Terror(en)

A portrait of a punk band and their role in the vibrant and eclectic underground music scene from which they were born. The idiosyncratic personalities of these three musicians demonstrates that, like all great artistic or political collectives, individuals with conflicting and confounding ideologies can be drawn together around a common cause. Championing the music, community, and politics of their beloved city of Memphis, TN, Negro Terror are far more than just another hardcore punk band with a provocative name.

Waiting: The Van Duren Story(en)

Born out of the ashes of Big Star, arguably the greatest cult band of all time, Memphis local Van Duren joined forces with ex-members Chris Bell & Jody Stephens to form a band and become regulars on the 70s Memphis bar circuit. In little time they got the attention of Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham, who then started managing Van Duren. Van was tipped to be the next Paul McCartney but instead faded into obscurity. Forty years later, two friends from Australia (a band manager and musician) chance upon the mysterious musician’s lost album. They fall hopelessly in love with the music and set out to discover why Van Duren isn’t a household name.

Dreaming in America(en)

At the heart of "Dreaming in America" is Lucero's story about that amazing thing, too often overlooked: a blue-collar rock group's struggle to survive. As the music industry has exploded over the past few decades and the ability to "move units" has become the defining calculus of the business, it's an incredibly emotional experience to see a band who does it because they have to, because their lives depend on it, and because they love it. There are hundreds of such bands criss-crossing the country at any given moment. This is a film about one of them-a band on the edge of greatness, working to break through. In a happy bit of rock kismet, "Dreaming in America's" cameras started rolling just as Lucero was breaking from its indie rock past and considering the treacherous leap to a major label deal unlike anything seen by the industry before. At that point, the band was between labels and, though it had sold north of 20,000 records.

Memphis Heat: The True Story of Memphis Wrasslin'(en)

Memphis Heat: The True Story of Memphis Wrasslin' is the definitive documentary about the history of Memphis wrestling from the 1950's with legendary battles between Sputnik Monroe and Billy Wicks, the 1960's with strutting Jackie Fargo, & the glory days of the '70s with Jerry "the King" Lawler, Tojo Yamamoto, "Superstar" Bill Dundee, & Jimmy Hart.

This Is What Love in Action Looks Like(en)

In the summer of 2005 a 16yo Memphis, TN wrote on his MySpace blog about his parents sending him to a "Fundamentalist Christian" program that strives to turn gay teens straight. This documentary follows the inspirational story of this teens local community standing up for their friend with daily protests at the facility in what would become an international news story. The documentary features several former clients of the organization who tell their personal stories about the time they spent within the programs walls.

Sounds of Memphis(en)

A look into the birth of the soul music scene on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee. Chronicles the rise of soul music, the creation of many iconic songs, and the effect that the genre would have on generations to come. Featuring interviews with B.B. King, Isaac Hayes, Steve Cropper and many other legendary artists.

#50ForDaCity(en)

Zach Randolph Documentary. This documentary film chronicles Grizzlies’ legend Z-Bo and his journey in Memphis, from the trade that brought him to the Bluff City, to every Z-bound, headband toss, MLGW bill, chokeslam, and more

Dreams to Remember: The Legacy of Otis Redding(en)

Primal Scream: The Lost Memphis Tapes(en)

The programme shows Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie's fascination with music from an early age, listening to the sounds of Elvis and Aretha Franklin before graduating to punk. He talks about his passion for music and how to keep creativity on the right track. In the early 90s the UK music scene was changing - with Oasis and Blur emerging, this alternative rock band was recording in Memphis but suddenly sounded out of step with the music scene.

The Seven Ages of Elvis(en)

Documentary about the life and career of Elvis Presley produced for Sky Arts. Includes rarely seen clips and photos from throughout Elvis' career as well as comments from music historians and musicians, songwriters, producers, actors, etc. who worked with him. Narrated by producer/director David Upshal.

Very Extremely Dangerous(en)

Jerry McGill slipped from a rock'n'roll career into a life of crime, robbing banks and running from the FBI while touring with legends of country music and appearing in movies. After three jail sentences (under two different names), aged 70 and suffering from terminal cancer, he announced his return to music. We follow a gun-toting McGill and his fiance Joyce through four states as he steals whatever's not nailed down and charms his way into and out of trouble. But when you point a camera at a man who will do anything for notoriety, how responsible are you when he goes too far?

Lights Camera Bullshit(en)

A failed filmmaker returns to Memphis with the hope of jump starting his career but is thwarted by the insanity of the film crew, the selfish conniving of his racist new boss, and the psychotic war between two gangs of historically inaccurate presidential impersonators while trying to maintain his commitment to his family. Featuring Eric Tate (Craig Brewer’s The Poor and Hungry), Ron Gephart ( Ira Sachs’ The Delta), and narrated by Michael Horse (Twin Peaks).

Mystery Train(en)

In Memphis, Tennessee, over the course of a single night, the Arcade Hotel, run by an eccentric night clerk and a clueless bellboy, is visited by a young Japanese couple traveling in search of the roots of rock; an Italian woman in mourning who stumbles upon a fleeing charlatan girl; and a comical trio of accidental thieves looking for a place to hide.

Jacir(en)

A glance at the divided U.S. political system through the eyes of a young Syrian refugee on the streets of Memphis, TN, as he faces the harsh realities of chasing the American dream.

The Blind Side(en)

The story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family.

The Color Purple(en)

A decades-spanning tale of love and resilience and of one woman's journey to independence. Celie faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately finds extraordinary strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.

Coffee and Cigarettes II(en)

A brother and sister, sitting in a coffee bar, bicker mildly about whose idea it was to come to Memphis and which kind of cigarette is fresher. Danny, their waiter, comes by offering refills; after determining they are twins, he guesses which is the evil one. Without a pause, he sits down and offers his theory about Elvis's twin. He drones on. The good twin finally speaks up, giving her own opinion. The waiter is unfazed. After his boss finally calls him back to work, the twins are free to resume their bickering amidst the coffee and cigarettes.

The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond(en)

Tells the story of Fisher Willow, the disliked 1920s Memphis débutante daughter of a plantation owner with a distaste for narrow-minded people and a penchant for shocking and insulting those around her. After returning from studies overseas, Fisher falls in love with Jimmy, the down-and-out son of an alcoholic father and an insane mother who works at a store on her family's plantation.