film

Taking its title from a lesser-known 1972 song by the man himself, 2022's Moonage Daydream is the first film about David Bowie to be officially authorised by the late artist and icon's estate. A non-linear and non-conventional biopic, the film uses a montage-style editing technique to convey Bowie's life story. Elements in said montage include archival footage, concert performances, interviews, and artistic visuals, creating something that's much more like a sensory "experience" than a traditional documentary.

The narrative covers Bowie's whole career in 20-odd "chapters", with the first section devoted to his early career in London, the second to his time in West Berlin, during which he developed his interests in artistic pursuits outside music, and the third covering his life and career after his West Berlin years. Remastered soundtracks and unseen footage add yet more texture to a portrait of Bowie that's a perfect fit for the music-focused Friday-night Verdi Club series, which is thankfully picking up again after its usual summer lull.