Director-writer-editor Brett Morgen’s documentary Moonage Daydream, centered around the iconic musician David Bowie, is a unique and mesmerizing film experience. Nominated for four Emmys, including directing, writing, editing, and sound editing, Morgen discusses his fascination with creative individuals who live life on their own terms and his artistic approach to filmmaking.
Morgen reveals that he is drawn to wildly creative people who refuse to conform to societal norms. He cites examples such as Robert Evans, Jane Goodall, Kurt Cobain, and David Bowie himself. Additionally, Morgen looks for subjects that offer cinematic opportunities, allowing him to create intimate and profound encounters for the audience.
When it comes to filmmaking, Morgen has always been interested in creating immersive experiences. He mentions films such as Pink Floyd – The Wall, Fantasia, The Rainbow Man, Apocalypse Now, and 2001: A Space Odyssey as examples of the kind of visually striking and impactful films that appeal to him. When he made Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, his goal was to create a biographical portrait solely using Cobain’s art, without relying on interviews or narrative. This approach inspired him to strip away narrative elements and focus on the core essence of a subject, which he found suited Bowie perfectly due to his creative and philosophical nature.
Morgen recalls a meeting with Bowie in 2007 where he pitched a completely different nonfiction concept. Bowie expressed his dissatisfaction with Morgen’s recent film, but Morgen responded honestly, stating that he hadn’t appreciated Bowie’s work since Scary Monsters. The interaction left a lasting impact on Morgen, and he later reflected on it when offered an opportunity to make a film about Bowie after his passing in 2016. Morgen decided to right the wrongs of his previous comment and fully appreciate and explore Bowie’s work from Let’s Dance onwards.
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Throughout the filmmaking process, Morgen had access to the Bowie archives and discovered some remarkable footage. One revelation came during a meeting with Bowie’s longtime producer, Tony Visconti, who played Morgen the stems for a song called “Cygnet Committee.” Morgen listened to the raw vocals and could hear Bowie sobbing uncontrollably between lines. This emotional experience showed Morgen that Bowie had always understood the brevity of life and the importance of appreciating each day.
Morgen also discusses the challenges of working on the film mostly in isolation. He received financing for a slate of Imax immersive music projects, but the budget did not account for the extensive amount of media in the Bowie archives. As a result, Morgen had to work alone and without a staff, which was lonely, stressful, and difficult. Despite these challenges, Morgen appreciates the experience and wouldn’t have had it any other way.
In conclusion, Morgen’s documentary Moonage Daydream offers a fresh and immersive perspective on David Bowie and his artistic journey. Through his unique filmmaking style and dedication to capturing the essence of his subjects, Morgen creates a visually striking and emotionally resonant experience for his audience.
