The Sedona International Film Festival will honor the memory of blues legend B.B. King with the one-night-only debut of “B.B. King: The Life of Riley,” a documentary featuring a legendary cast of music icons. The film will show Monday, June 1, at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.
Experience the inspirational journey of survival for the first time with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and 15-time Grammy-winning artist Riley “B.B.” King.
Narrated by Morgan Freeman, “B.B. King: The Life of Riley” is the untold true American story of an orphan boy from the heart of the Mississippi Delta who rose to music stardom around the world and inspired a generation of fans against all odds.
King worked closely with director Jon Brewer for two years to create this powerful film. The heartfelt contributions from a plethora of music’s superstars were a vast indication that this was the time for his story to be told. King, who was 88 years old at the time, along with his family, friends and contemporaries to unveil the true-life drama that was the springboard for the future King of the Blues.
Battling unrelenting racism and the humiliation of segregation while working in the cotton fields as an orphaned child, King lived to overcome the toughest critics in the entertainment industry and ultimately be hailed as one of the kingpins of an entire genre of music. This candid bio-pic of his life story is highlighted by rare archive footage and beautifully shot scenes of the deep American south. Informative and visually stunning, “The Life of Riley” is the definitive document of a true American treasure.
“We all have idols,” King said. “Play like anyone you care about, but try to be yourself while you’re doing so.”
The documentary includes never-before-seen interviews with rock and music legends including Bono, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Ringo Starr, Bonnie Raitt and many others.
Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members. Call 282-1177 for tickets and more information. Both the theatre and Film Festival office are located at 2030 W. SR 89A in West Sedona. Visit the Sedona Film Festival website for more information.
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