Downloaded
This was at times a fascinating documentary – as it traced the history from a first-person perspective using interviews with the founders of Napster. At other times it was an exercise in forbearance, because it was quite lengthy. It clocks in at 106 minutes, but it felt like three hours … so I guess it moves kind of slow.
The music beds used for the film are well-done, building tension and anticipation as scenes unfold. As the principles in the story (Shawn Fanning and Sean Parker, among others) hurtle towards the inevitable (because of hindsight) showdown with the House/Senate Committee hearings that spelled the end for Napster, I couldn’t help think of my own magazine empire, its down financial years and the cost it took on my family (everything). It was sad to sense the impending demise of their dreams and vision. They made a good case in their many interviews that showed their intent to be flexible and willing to work with the record companies to forge a new future.
The historical impact of Napster and the technological vortex that came together at the time (the turn of the millennium), which was enormous, is put in perspective by this film and it’s told by the players involved. At the end of the day, it’s a fascinating documentary that’s done well, but will probably be relegated to the libraries of music history where it belongs (and unfortunately, probably forgotten).
While showing at SXSW 2013, the film made its theatrical premiere on June 21, 2013 at Manhattan’s Village East Cinema and is scheduled for showings in other select cities. It will be available via online streaming and Video On Demand beginning July 1, 2013. Look for it on VH-1 sometime later this year.
[VH-1 RockDocs] Doug Van Pelt
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