My Father and the Man in Black

Just saw the premiere of this movie at the NXNE Music/Film festival in Toronto last night. This is a very personal tale for the producer, trying to recreate the life and experiences of his late father, the manager of Johnny Cash. I think many of us who grew up in Canada during the 50's and 60's had fathers who were reclusive and uncommunicative. At the time it is easy to criticize and make judgement calls. In the case of Jonathan Holiff, he is stunned to realize that his father has left a storage locker of material summarizing his management career with Johnny Cash. When he listens to the numerous tape recordings that his father has made as a running dialogue, he begins to realize the accomplishments that his father made along with the nightmare reality of managing a supremely talented but incredibly self destructive artist such as Johnny Cash. The movie is made in quite an original way, with actual video footage, photographs and real recordings. I think the important point in the movie is when Cash crosses the line and really insults Saul Holiff. He immediately resigns. This is the important lesson we learn from our fathers. Some things are not negotiable in life, like your honour.