Talking Heads film 'Stop Making Sense' turns 30, getting theatrical rerelease, screening at BAM with Q&A (dates)

by Bill Pearis

It’s the 30th anniversary of Talking Heads‘ seminal concert film Stop Making Sense. The 1984 film, directed by Jonathan Demme, captured the band during their Speaking in Tongues tour over the course of three nights at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater. Shot with long takes that really emphasize the performance, it’s still a thrill to watch.

If you’ve never seen it, Stop Making Sense is getting its first ever digital release on July 15 for your downloading pleasure. It will also get a theatrical rerelease this summer. As mentioned, you can see it in NYC at BAM Rose Cinemas on June 4 at 7:30 PM which will be followed by a Q&A with Demme. It’s part of the RadioLoveFest and tickets are on sale now.

You can also buy it on DVD and Bluray — the 25th Anniversary Edition contains performances of “Cities” and “Big Business/I Zimbra” that aren’t in the final cut of the film, plus a great audio commentary featuring all four members of Talking Heads and Demme. Still, it’s great to see Byrne’s Big Suit in a big theater.

All Stop Making Sense screening dates are listed, along with a couple clips from the film and its original trailer, below…

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Stop Making Sense Trailer

Talking Heads – Psycho Killer (Stop Making Sense)

TALKING HEADS / Slippery People (Live ‘Stop Making Sense’)

Stop Making Sense – 2014 Screening Dates
May 17 – Ithaca, NY – Cornell Cinema
May 22 – Pleasantville, NY – Jacob Burns
May 23-June 5 – Ogden, UT – Art House Cinema 502
June 4-5 – Brooklyn, NY – BAM
June 7 – Portland, OR – Reed College
June 13-14 – Kansas City, MO – Tivoli Theatre
June 13-19 – Missoula, MT – Roxy
June 16 – Rochester, NY – Little Theater
June 18-20 – Los Angeles, CA – New Beverly
June 18, 22 – Columbus, OH – Gateway Film Center
June 19-22 – Oak Cliff, TX – Texas Theatre
June 22 – Phoenix, AZ Phoenix Center for the Arts
July – Vancouver, Canada – Vancity
July 3 – Littleton, CO – Alamo
July 4-5 – Troy, OH – Mayflower
July 10 – Yonkers, NY – Alamo
July 14 – Austin, TX – Alamo Ritz
July 15, 17 – Kalamazoo, MI – Alamo
August 1-3 – Seattle, WA – SIFF Cinema
August 6 – Lexington, KY – Kentucky Theatre
August 14 – Houston, TX Miller Outdoor Theatre
August 14, 16 – Chicago, IL – Music Box
August 22-24 – Kansas City, MO – Armour
September 6 – New Orleans, LA – Shotgun Cinema
September 6, 8 – Silver Springs, MD – AFI Silver
September 19 – Kansas City, MO Kansas City Public Library
TBD – Kingston, Canada Screening Room Cinema
TBD – Los Angeles, CA – Oscar Theatre
TBD – Huntington, NY – Cinema Arts Center
TBD – Portland, OR – Academy Theater
TBD – Portland, OR – Northwest Film Center
TBD – Memphis, TN – Indie Memphis
TBD – Nashville, TN – Belcourt Theater