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Apple Buys Rights to 'The Velvet Underground' Documentary

Apple today announced that it has purchased the worldwide distribution rights to "The Velvet Underground," a documentary from Todd Haynes.

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Haynes' documentary follows 1960's band "The Velvet Underground," which was headlined by Lou Reed and once managed by artist Andy Warhol. "The Velvet Underground" was known as the "house band" at the Factory, which was Warhol's studio that served as a hangout for artists and a venue for legendary parties.

"The Velvet Underground" will feature never before seen performances and recordings, Warhol films, experimental art, and in-depth interviews with key players of that time.

The Velvet Underground created a new sound that changed the world of music, cementing its place as one of rock 'n' roll's most revered bands. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Todd Haynes, "The Velvet Underground" shows just how the group became a cultural touchstone representing a range of contradictions: the band is both of their time, yet timeless; literary yet realistic; rooted in high art and street culture.

There's no known release date for "The Velvet Underground" at this time, but it joins several other documentaries that Apple has picked up such as Werner Herzog's "Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds," "Boys State," "Beastie Boys Story," "Dads," and "The Elephant Queen."

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Top Rated Comments

71 months ago

yawn, apple tv + excusive for a limited audience. many apple tv owners most likely never heard of velvet underground or even care about this
The Velvet Underground's first album only sold 30,000 copies during its first five years but “everyone who bought one of those 30,000 copies started a band.” -Brian Eno

There is plenty of content based on things someone somewhere never heard of. The simple truth is that this band was incredibly influential on the rock music of the 20th century, and beyond. It doesn’t matter if you or I like them subjectively, or if we are even familiar with them.

I look forward to being entertained and educated by this.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
71 months ago

This ought to be interesting.

Is there a reason that the artwork is reversed?
Looks like a plate that they'd use to do offset printing of a poster. (It's not just reversed, it's a negative as well.) Maybe the idea is to reflect the "behind the scenes" nature of the documentary?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
71 months ago
Looking forward to this!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
71 months ago
One of the two most influential rock bands.

I hope the documentary is awesome!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
71 months ago
The Velvet Underground are definitely not for everyone, but they are one of the greatest bands ever. Can't wait to see this!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThunderSkunk Avatar
71 months ago

Looking forward to this!
This could easily be a 12 hour epic.
and I’d savor all 12 hours.

...and somewhere near a still telephone, Roger Waters and Jimmy Page are squirming with anticipation.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)