THE SURPRISE HIT OF THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

YOUNG @ HEART

SHOWTIMES

 

What does Young @ Heart joyfully demonstrate? If you’re swinging and full of joie de vivre at 18 you’re likely to still be swinging at 81. In 1982, 23-year-old Bob Cilman started working at the Northhampton meals program for the elderly. He soon began an impromptu after-mealtime sing-a-long. Now 53, Bob has to move fast to keep up with his singing flock of senior folks. Under Bob’s guidance, they have developed into a first rate singing group. However, this is no barbershop quartet! These 80-year-old performers rock hard! James Brown, Bruce Springsteen, The Clash, Bob Dylan, and Sonic Youth are just some of their repertoire. Their new album is the tough-minded Rockin at Heaven’s Door. They’ve raised their families, had their careers, and now they’ve re-transformed their lives as members of a successful international touring group. With extraordinary determination they tackle tough lyrics ripping and spinning along at breakneck speed and shaped by tricky fast rhythms. It is the surprising juxtaposition of these special wrinkled folks capturing the spirited music of youth that makes Young @ Heart such a delight. They get no payment except for the sheer joy of performing. For this 80ish singing group, sentimentality is banned as they truly live and sing for the moment. They are a gutsy group of performers who send the audience’s spirits soaring. –Vic Skolnick