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"A transparent example of why the music industry continues to spiral downward toward a fiery hell." – Consequence of Sound
Million-dollar major label record contracts, slots at Coachella and SXSW, opening for rock gods Metallica, appearances on late-night TV: it's pretty intimidating stuff for any musician, let alone a bunch of school kids. But barely adolescent metal trio Unlocking the Truth, aka Malcolm Brickhouse, Jarad Dawkins and Alec Atkins became a YouTube sensation while busking in Times Square, and after mass-media coverage and mind-boggling hype, the bigwigs – specifically, 70-year-old Hollywood producer Alan Sacks, who helped break the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato, and co-created Welcome Back, Kotter – swooped in and attempted to remake them as teen-friendly pop stars; styling them, hiring a vocal coach to provide metal growling lessons and more.
Director Luke Meyer (Darkon, MIFF 2006) reveals the absurdity of the music industry's machinations, writ large when three charismatic, talented and savvy kids find themselves sucked into the power players' maelstrom.
"An affecting, often hilarious portrait of juvenile stardom ... the antithesis of Metallica's ego overload, and just as watchable." – The Guardian
