Watch Unfinished Plan. The Path of Alain Johannes

Unfinished Plan: The Path of Alain Johannes is an emotionally powerful documentary that follows the journey of musician Alain Johannes. Born in Chile, Johannes and his family moved to the United States in the late 1970s to escape the oppressive regime of dictator Augusto Pinochet. Tragedy struck Johannes at a young age when his brother and parents died in a car accident. Nevertheless, Johannes found solace in music, forming bands with the likes of Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) and Chris Cornell (Soundgarden).

The documentary is directed by Rodolfo Gárate and features interviews with Johannes as well as his wife and musical partner, Natasha Shneider. Johannes and Shneider had a deep connection, both professionally and personally, and their bond was only strengthened as they battled together against Shneider's cancer diagnosis. The film doesn't shy away from the emotional weight of this struggle, and Johannes' raw and honest reflections on the experience are incredibly moving.

One of the highlights of Unfinished Plan is the behind-the-scenes look at Johannes' creative process. He is a multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar, bass, drums, and many other instruments. He is also a skilled producer and has worked with artists like Queens of the Stone Age, Mark Lanegan, and PJ Harvey. Seeing Johannes in the studio, experimenting with different sounds and textures, is truly captivating.

The film also explores Johannes' relationship with nature, as he finds inspiration in the natural world and the cycles of life and death. There's a poignant moment when Johannes reflects on the loss of his brother and how it led him to retreat into nature. He speaks of a dream he had where he was a tree, and when he woke up, he knew he had to make music.

In addition to Johannes' personal journey, the documentary also touches on the history of Chile and the impact of Pinochet's regime. Johannes' father was a folk singer who was forced to flee Chile because of his political views, and Johannes honors his legacy by performing some of his father's music in the film.

Unfinished Plan is not just a film for music lovers; it's a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of tragedy. Johannes' ability to channel his pain into something beautiful and meaningful is truly inspiring. The film is a celebration of life, love, and creativity, and it's a must-see for anyone who appreciates the transformative power of music.

Unfinished Plan. The Path of Alain Johannes is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes.