Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing

Watch Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing

  • 2006
  • 1 hr 33 min

"Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing" is a 2006 documentary film directed by Barbara Kopple and Cecilia Peck. The movie follows the lives of three women, Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, and Emily Robison, who are members of the country music group, Dixie Chicks. The film is a detailed account of the controversy that followed the group's lead singer, Natalie Maines' comments against the then-president, George W. Bush.

The film opens with footage of the Dixie Chicks performing a concert in London in March 2003. It then cuts to an interview with Maines where she expresses her disapproval of Bush's threat to attack Iraq, contrasting it with the support he enjoyed from fellow country musicians. The next day, the band received a call from their manager, Simon Renshaw, telling them that their comments had triggered a public backlash in the United States. The band's CDs were burned, radio stations boycotted their music, and people attacked them for being unpatriotic.

The film follows the Dixie Chicks through the controversy that surrounded them in the months that followed. The women received numerous death threats, and a country music station in Texas organized a rally to destroy Dixie Chicks CDs. There were calls for the group to apologize, but the women refused, insisting that they had a right to express their opinions.

The documentary shows the personal toll that the controversy had on the women. Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, and Emily Robison all struggled with the hostility they faced, and the group's tour was cancelled due to poor ticket sales. The documentary also chronicles the group's attempt to record new music amidst the controversy. They worked with producer Rick Rubin on the album "Taking the Long Way", which was released in May 2006.

Throughout the film, the women express their belief that they were attacked simply because they were women. They highlight the double standards that exist in the music industry, where male artists are allowed to express their opinions, while women are expected to remain silent. The film also includes interviews with fans and other musicians, who offer their support to the Dixie Chicks.

Interspersed with the present-day footage are clips from the band's earlier days. We see the Dixie Chicks as playful and boisterous young women, reveling in their success as country music stars. The contrast between those moments and the darker moments of the film heightens the impact of the events that led to the film's making.

"Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing" is a powerful film that showcases the raw emotions that surrounded the controversy. It highlights the importance of free speech and the responsibility that comes with using it. The Dixie Chicks' experience is a cautionary tale - a reminder that sometimes, expressing an opinion can come with a heavy price. But the group's resilience and their refusal to back down in the face of the backlash is an inspiration to women everywhere.

Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing is a 2006 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes.

Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing
Description
Where to Watch Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing
Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing is available to watch free on The Roku Channel Free and Vudu Free. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2006
  • Runtime
    1 hr 33 min
  • Language
    English
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