Blog Post: Todd Haynes’s ‘The Velvet Underground’ is a Momentous Force in Documentary Filmmaking
Todd Haynes’s recent documentary surrounding the inception of one of the most evocative bands of the nineteenth century is a force to be reckoned with. This documentary embodies the art and creativity which were central to The Velvet Underground’s music through its intense focus on the construction of such music alongside idiosyncratic cinematography. Ultimately, The Velvet Underground offers music fans with a visionary film that encapsulates the momentum of The Velvet Underground’s career.
What makes Haynes’s documentary so evocative is how he places the music of The Velvet Underground at the forefront of the documentary itself. The film is less concerned with the drama or scandals associated with the band and more focused on the fabrication of some of the most distinctive and remarkable pieces of music within recent musical memory. In particular, one of the most notable moments is the delineation of the formation of ‘Heroin.’ Various interviewees including members of the band and their family members detail how this song came to fruition, from the poetics of Reed’s lyrics to the development of the instrumentation. It is highly engaging in how the song seemed to describe some of the deepest aspects of the human condition, something which was not commonly articulated in contemporary music.
However, the stand-out aspect of this particular documentary is how the cinematography replicates the momentum and excitement associated with The Velvet Underground’s early musical career. Cinematographer Edward Lachman captures the thrilling atmosphere of life in New York City during a time of cultural renaissance and The Velvet Underground’s earliest gigs within their career. In order to achieve this exhilarating and electrifying atmosphere, Lachmann provides a mosaic of varying imagery all combined together within one frame. This array of simultaneous imagery resembles that of a museum, really immersing the audience within the narrative of the documentary. It makes the documentary so unique in style and aesthetics and ultimately commands the attention of all viewers.
Overall, Todd Haynes’s documentary fuses both art and history together to construct a highly evocative documentary which charters one of the most influential bands of its time. It offers audience with a timestamp to one of the most exciting and enthralling moments of musical history, through its amalgamation of personal anecdotes and avant-garde cinematography. The Velvet Underground really is a must for any and all music fans.