A biographical film dedicated to the first leader of Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett, the extraordinary “crazy diamond” who led the English band in its first phase, characterized precisely by the creativity of the Cambridge musician, in the midst of the psychedelic explosion of the late Sixties. The project was revealed by Peter Jaysen, one of the producers of the new Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown”, during an interview with Matthew Belloni, in an episode of his podcast “The Town”.
Jaysen stated that, in addition to the project on a biopic dedicated to Syd Barrett, there is the idea of bringing the story of Cass Elliot from The Mamas & the Papas to the big screen. “Thanks to our involvement with Bob in the making of 'A Complete Unknown,' we are fortunate to be working, at this time, with Wash Westmoreland, the great writer and director, on a film about Syd Barrett, co-founder of Pink Floyd” , explained Peter Jaysen, who added: “We have had several virtual meetings with Mama Cass Elliot's estate and met with her daughter, Owen, and are close to acquiring the rights to her book, 'My Mama Cass.'” No details was provided, instead, on the possible release dates of the two projects.
Jaysen's company, Veritas Entertainment, was involved in securing the rights to Dylan's music archive and life story for “A Complete Unknown,” which hits theaters in Italy on January 23. The film, based on the biography “Dylan goes electric!” by Elijah Wald, traces the electric turning point in the career of the Duluth singer-songwriter, played by Timothée Chalamet, a role that could earn him an Oscar nomination.
Syd Barrett's story was recently told in another project, “Have You Got It Yet?”. Directed by director Roddy Bogawa and the late designer Storm Thorgerson co-founder of the Hipgnosis studio (Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney, Black Sabbath…) and produced by Orian Williams (“England Is Mine”, “Creation Stories”, “Control”), the feature film investigates the prismatic character and the Syd's genius artistry.
Visionary psychedelic pioneers, early Pink Floyd, under Barrett's leadership, left a monolithic legacy in the history of music and culture. Syd, who came up with the group's name by combining the names of two obscure bluesmen – Pink Anderson and Floyd Council – played a crucial role in sparking that story, only to leave the group before its worldwide success.
The film, released in DVD+Blu-ray version, will also be made available on Digital and On Demand by Mercury Studios, the audio-video division of Universal Music Group.
“Have You Got It Yet?” features archival footage and interviews with fellow band members David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Roger Waters, revealing Barrett's extraordinary impact on the group, plus a special testimonial from Syd's sister Rosemary Breen. Narrated by actor Jason Isaacs, the film also features the original band's managers Peter Jenner and Andrew King, as well as guest appearances from The Who's Pete Townshend and Blur's Graham Coxon. It is an opportunity to retrace the dramatic day when Pink Floyd dumped Syd Barrett, but also to listen to reviews of both his solo albums, “The Madcap Laughs” and “Barrett”.
In addition to the feature film, the DVD+Blu-ray version includes numerous contents bonusesnamely two touching live performances of “Arnold Layne”: the first features David Gilmour and David Bowie (originally released on David Gilmour's “Remember That Night Live At The Royal Albert Hall” in 2007); the second is a performance from “The Madcap's Last Laugh” (also 2007), a tribute concert to Syd Barrett with David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright in their last performance as Pink Floyd.
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The DVD+Blu-ray includes an interview with Bogawa, who also comments on the entire film together with Rupert Truman and Julius Beltrame. Further exploring his creative works, the film also contains an analysis of Barrett's paintings and spoken word of its lyrics recited by comedian Noel Fielding (“Dark Globe”), poet Rob Fitterman (“Rats”) and actor Gerard Bell (“Lucifer Sam”). The packagingdesigned by StormStudios, is completed with an exclusive “Have You Got It Yet?” poster, also designed by Thorgerson's graphics studio.
Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd crystallized a cultural moment where anything seemed possible but where that freedom could come at a price. Was Syd just another drug victim? Or was he suffering from an undiagnosed mental condition? Or could he not stand the attention and fame just as his fun was turning into a job? While there are no clear answers, everyone who knew Syd closely has a feeling that something went terribly wrong. “Have You Got It Yet?” is a chronicle and mosaic of Barrett's creative and destructive impulses, of his captivating presence and absence – a portrait of the complex puzzle that was his life.
Antonio Santini for SANREMO.FM
