Watch The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps

The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps is a 2019 documentary film that chronicles the life of Martin Phillipps, the lead singer and songwriter for the New Zealand band The Chills. Directed by Julia Parnell and Rob Curry, the film is a poignant tale of the highs and lows of a musical career that has spanned more than three decades.

The film opens with Phillipps recounting his early childhood in Dunedin, New Zealand. He speaks candidly about the impact of his father's death when he was just a teenager, and how this event shaped his approach to life and music. We then follow Phillipps as he forms The Chills in 1980, and charts their rise to prominence in the New Zealand music scene of the 1980s and early 1990s.

Throughout the film we are treated to a wealth of archive footage and interviews with Phillipps, as well as with former band members and fans. We learn about the creative process behind some of The Chills' most famous songs - such as Pink Frost and Heavenly Pop Hit - and the challenges that the band faced as they tried to break into the international music market.

But the film is not just a celebration of The Chills' success. We also see the toll that this sustained period of creativity and touring took on Phillipps. He developed a serious drug addiction, which threatened to derail the band and his personal life. We hear from band members who talk about their concerns for Phillipps' well-being, and his ultimate decision to check himself into rehab.

The film is both heart-warming and heart-breaking. We see the profound impact that The Chills have had on people's lives, and the deep love and admiration that they still have for Phillipps - even in the face of his struggles. But we also witness the devastating consequences of a life lived at the extremes of creativity and self-destructive behaviour.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the film is the way that it reveals the highly collaborative and innovative approach to music-making that has characterized The Chills' career. We see how Phillipps drew on a diverse range of cultural influences - from New Zealand literature to European classical music - to create a uniquely original sound. We also hear from former band members about the highly democratic and inclusive way that they worked together to bring Phillipps' vision to life.

Overall, The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps is a beautifully crafted and deeply moving exploration of one of New Zealand's most iconic musical acts. It is a testament to the power of music to inspire and connect people - and a reminder of the fragile and fleeting nature of creative genius.

The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.