Joan Baez I Am a Noise

It's a self-reflective documentary on the life of Joan Baez set in the context of her "farewell" tour of 2018-2019.

Baez's tour, which included her son, Gabriel Harris, sets the frame for the documentary. The rest follows, more or less chronologically, her life from age 13 through the era of her greatest fame and political activism in the 1960s into the 1990s. The documentary uses home movies, insights from tapes of her therapy sessions in the 1990s, and news clips of some of her political activities.

She only names three relationships in the movie--an early relationship with a woman named Kimmie, Bob Dylan, and David Harris. But her greatest focus is on her family--her Mexican father, Albert; mother, Joan; older sister, Pauline; and younger sister, Mimi. She describes the roots of her pacifism in the family's Quakerism. She especially probes the psychological issues she and Mimi experienced.

"Joan Baez: I am a Noise" seems remarkably honest but somewhat incomplete. A couple of decades are missing from the documentary without explanation. And a lot of things are hinted at but left unresolved. Her need to perform to the end left me wondering. But I'll forgive a lot; those of us who protested in the 1960s were all somewhat in love with Joan Baez.

A documentary on the folk music iconoclast from last year. Taking place during her farewell tour during 2018, Baez is interviewed & provides archival photos & film about her rise from a little girl who liked to sing & managed to parlay that love into a career in the burgeoning folk music scene. Chronicling the rivalry she had w/her sister (who embarked in her own career as a singer even though dance was her calling) & also the men in her life which included Bob Dylan (who was at the beginning of his career) & a freedom fighter for change who was jailed for a spell, Baez manages to carve out a niche for herself by doing her own thing for many years singing her songs & even becoming a staple in the civil rights movement as she was at Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech in Washington DC in 1963 & even arrested herself for taking a stand. Always keeping an upbeat eye to her role in her own career (her one misstep, in her opinion, was her appearance at an Amnesty concert in the 1980's she participated in where we see her perform Tears for Fears' "Shout") where she still packs in the audiences who appreciated what she has always done.

"Joan Baez - I Am a Noise" is a poignant and intimate portrait of a legendary singer-activist.

This documentary offers a rare glimpse into the life of Joan Baez, beyond the iconic image of a folk music legend. It delves deep into her personal archives, revealing a complex and multifaceted individual.

Baez's vulnerability shines through as she opens up about her struggles and triumphs.

The film offers a unique perspective on her life, from her early days to her later years.

The documentary seamlessly weaves together archival footage, interviews, and personal reflections.

While the film covers many aspects of Baez's life, some may have wished for more depth in certain areas.

"Joan Baez - I Am a Noise" is a must-watch for fans of Joan Baez and anyone interested in music and activism. It's a beautifully crafted documentary that pays tribute to a true icon.

As "Joan Baez: I Am a Noise" (2023 release; 113 min) opens, Baez is singing "Oh Freedom" a cappella in footage from decade ago. We then go to the present, to Baez's home in California, where she talks into the camera about how fame at an early age affected her. She is working with a vocal coach in preparations of her 2018-19 "Fare Thee Well" (supposed farewell) world tour. At this point we are 10 minutes into the documentary.

Couple of comments: the film makers in this documentary reflect on the life and times of Joan Baez, age 79 when this was filmed. But as it turns out, this is not your standard bio-pic. Of course it covers the familiar territory: Joan's family background, getting famous at an early age, her complicated relationship with both her sisters, her liaison with Bob Dylan, her involvement with the civil rights movement and later the anti-Vietnam peace movement, it all is covered. Then in the last 30 minutes, the documentary takes a sharp turn into a direction I did not see coming... I won't spoil of course, just watch! It makes for compelling viewing, that's for sure.

"Joan Baez: I Am a Noise" was released in US theaters in the Fall of 2023, and is now streaming on Hulu, where I saw it the other night. The documentary is currently rated 94% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which feels a little overly generous to me. I sought out the documentary after recently seeing the excellent Dylan bio-pic "A Complete Unknown", where Baez plays a central role. If you are a fan of either Joan Baez or Bob Dylan, I'd readily suggest you check out "Joan Baez: I Am a Noise", and draw your own conclusion.

I Am a Noise is an in-depth portrait of Joan Baez's music career, political activism, and personal life. The strange title comes from what she wrote about herself as a young girl. Baez is remarkably insightful and honest about herself and her struggles with mental illness. Especially intense is her description of the family therapy she underwent, including excerpts from therapy tapes. I didn't give this excellent documentary a 10 because the therapy description went on too long for me.

This documentary is a must watch for serious and casual Joan Baez fans and I'd recommend it for anyone who wants to hear a beautiful voice and learn about a significant American artist and political activist.