Metallica Saved My Life

I saw this film at the Mill Valley Film Festival. It was a lot better than I thought it would be. I was worried it would be a long promotional video for Metallica, but it was a real documentary. The movie travels around the world, showcasing fans everywhere from Botswana to Iraq to Ukraine to South America. The stories they tell about how Metallica helped get them through personal struggles, tragedies and wars are riveting. I cried a lot. The film also manages to summarize the band's history by spanning the early days when they started out with one fan to the present.

Sociologically the film is interesting in that it shows what some people might term cult behavior. Occasionally a psychologist or someone similar pops up to add an explanatory note. I'm a big Metallica fan myself but I suppose there are different types of fans. As much as I love the band and their music, I would not spend six figures on their shows and merchandise nor am I likely to go to multiple shows in a row. It appears that for some of the fans, the bond they have with other fans is their social life.

The film portrays a very diverse fandom, and I am sure that was deliberate. If you spend time with Metallica fans in real life though you will learn that the majority are still white men. I think there's a different movie out there to be made about metal culture and its macho attitude. I feel like this movie was trying to be an antidote to that without addressing the issue directly. I guess that's great although it does leave out any responsibility the band might have for attitudes of the past. I guess I'm ok with letting the past be the past...

Although this movie is a special treat for Metallica fans I think anyone who likes documentaries would appreciate it.

I had the pleasure of seeing this film tonight at the premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. What a wonderful tribute to the fans that have spanned over 4 decades of the most powerful band on the planet. Moving, adrenaline-pumping, and always appreciative, this documentary captures the heart of what it means to be part of the Metallica family.

While it's always great hearing from the band itself, the most gripping stories come from the fans themselves - fans from literally all over the globe, who share their tales of grief, sorrow, and joy.

Thank you James, Lars, Kirk, and Robert for your inspiration, passion, and dedication to us, your fans. You've saved our lives. 🤘