Jeff Buckley documentary to premiere at Sundance

A documentary on the life of critically acclaimed musician Jeff Buckley is set to premiere today at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

The film, directed by Academy-nominated Amy Berg, had been conceived of as early as 2000. Initially, Brad Pitt wanted to make a biopic of Buckley, starring himself. He sought permission from Buckley's mother, Mary Guibert, who agreed at first, but later became apprehensive.

Following objections from Guibert, Berg- who had been researching Buckley for the project- decided to make it a documentary.

“Once I started listening to his voicemail messages and his DAP player and demos and reading his journals, I just couldn’t imagine it being anything but a documentary,” said Berg. “And I just didn’t know how you could kind of replicate Jeff in that scripted sense.”

Berg has premiered multiple titles at Sundance, including her critically acclaimed West of Memphis, which received a perfect 4-star rating from highly respected critic Roger Ebert. It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley will be Berg’s fifth Sundance appearance.

Buckley’s first commercial release, Live At Sin-é, was a four track EP released in December 1993. His critically acclaimed studio album Grace released in 1994- garnering praise from musical greats such as Jimmy Paige, Bob Dylan and David Bowie.

Jeff Buckley died on May 29, 1997, swimming in the Wolf River Harbor, Memphis, Tennessee. Rumours spread of the artist’s death, citing his alleged erratic behaviour in the months and years previous.

Jack Bookbinder, Buckley’s former manager, commented on his hopes for the documentary: “My sole purpose for appearing in the film is to say, there was no foul play, no drugs or alcohol in Jeff’s system, no suicide.”