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The American Epic Sessions Q&A with Bettye Lavette | BFI London Film Festival

1,528 views · Published 13 October 2015 · 11:42 · Indexed 20 October 2026

Channel: BFI · 2015 · Film & Animation

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Director Bernard MacMahon and producer Allison McGourty discuss their film about the Western Electric amplifier, a machine that pioneered sound recording. They are joined by singer-songwriter Bettye Lavette, one of a host of stellar performers invited to record a track for the film using the restored machine.

The 59th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express® runs from Wednesday 7 October-Sunday 18 October 2015. Get immersed in the best of  the world's new cinema in venues and events across London, featuring the stars and creators of the films! 
The Festival opened with "Suffragette" (starring Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter and Meryl Streep), and has closed with Steve Jobs (starring Michael Fassbender).

Relive all of the best moments from the BFI London Film Festival 2015: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXvkgGofjDzgk6iI5YTc7AkfG7rAnh5Fk

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This film is a haunting collision of past and present, presided over by the high priests of the great tradition of American music, Jack White and T Bone Burnett, who also executive produced with Robert Redford. Long before digital file sharing, MP3, compact discs, tape and vinyl, a machine was forged from ingenuity. The Western Electric amplifier and Scully recording lathe, a marvel of analogue engineering operated by a weight and pulleys, pioneered the recording of American music. In an old Hollywood studio, one has been lovingly reassembled. In it, White gathers an extraordinary convocation of musical superstars, all keen to cut a record in the unforgiving three minutes the recording system provides. Featuring live performances from Elton John, Nas, Willie Nelson, Alabama Shakes, Steve Martin, Ana Gabriel, Merle Haggard, Taj Mahal and many more.

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