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Chicagoans David C. Thomas, Laurel Legler and an industrious Future/Now Films production crew spent seven years painstakingly crafting the extraordinary documentary, MC5 - A True Testimonial. Largely a labor of love, they exquisitely detailed one of the great untold stories of the Sixties, the intriguing meteoric rise and fall of the legendary Motor City Five.
This wonderful historical documentary truly captures the spirit of the late Sixties, simultaneously exploring the story of the MC5 band and the cultural significance of the period in which the band existed. Legler would later tell Gary Graff of the Oakland Press the film possesses a universality that makes a deeper impact than the simple story of a rock 'n' roll band.
"It's really archetypal - the idea of dreams, love and loss, all these kinds of human themes we all experience in our own lives. We have some reaction to what we're seeing in their story because we're experiencing that in our own lives, whether it's the loss of a best friend, the loss of a dream or trying to get somewhere and having it fail in the end."
MC5 - A True Testimonial would go on to preview at film festivals around the world, consistently playing to SRO crowds, receiving tremendous acclaim and rave reviews. But on the eve of release, the film was halted due to a highly controversial dispute over the ownership of the MC5's music publishing. After an exhaustive four year legal engagement the film makers emerged victorious, bowed but unbroken, and the elusive but requisite music licenses are now available.
Which is the one final hurdle to clear before the film's official release: acquiring the synchronization license to use the MC5 music in the film.
All proceeds from this drive will go directly towards that acquisition.
That's what this mission is about, overcoming that one last obstacle, securing the music synchronization licenses, immediately unleashing this brilliant, long overdue film. This documentary is an important historical document and deserves a proper release; theatrical screenings could begin as early as May
Are YOU ready to testify? The clock's ticking, essentially it's now or never, an opportunity to scale the last wall of the castle.
Remember this: Kickstarter's all or nothing, there's no other option. Either we reach the funding goal, the film's freed and the nightmare's over; or we don't, all pledges are canceled and the film remains in limbo.
Author Don McLeese puts it all in perspective:
"Music so extraordinary that it transformed the lives of all who experienced it demands the release of a documentary that does the MC5 justice. Few bands have ever seen so much go so wrong so quickly and have been so misunderstood in the process. A True Testimonial represents a belated opportunity to set things straight, put things right. The fans deserve it. So does the band. And so does the music."
Exactly. This magnificent film deserves support so please spread the word far and wide. Enough of the BS, the future's here right now, it's time to step up and finish this.
Are YOU ready to testify? Here's your chance.


FAQ
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166
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Funding Unsuccessful
This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on May 10, 2011.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
Classic "MC5 - A True Testimonial" vinyl sticker and your name listed as a supporter at MC5-TrueTestimonial.com.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
Classic limited edition "MC5 - A True Testimonial" enamel lapel pin; the vinyl sticker and your name listed as a supporter at MC5-TrueTestimonial.com.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Special top secret (at the moment) MC5-related limited-edition vinyl single; the classic "MC5 - A True Testimonial" enamel lapel pin and the vinyl sticker; and your name listed as a supporter at MC5-TrueTestimonial.com.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
Limited-edition "MC5 - A True Testimonial" shirt; special top secret (at the moment) MC5-related limited-edition vinyl single; the classic enamel lapel pin; the vinyl sticker and your name listed as a supporter at MC5-TrueTestimonial.com.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
Four tickets to a scheduled screening of your choice, the limited-edition "MC5 - A True Testimonial" shirt; special top secret (at the moment) MC5-related limited-edition vinyl single; the classic enamel lapel pin; the vinyl sticker; your name listed as a top supporter at MC5-TrueTestimonial.com.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
Eight passes to a scheduled screening of your choice, the limited-edition "MC5 - A True Testimonial" shirt; special top secret (at the moment) MC5-related limited-edition vinyl single; the classic enamel lapel pin; the vinyl sticker; your name listed as a top level backer at MC5-TrueTestimonial.com and other surprises.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
Kick out the jams, motherfunder! Everlasting gratitude and everything above; your name listed as a premier backer at MC5-TrueTestimonial.com and other surprises that can be discussed privately.
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The Stooges' Ron Asheton: "That's Freddie Brooks, Fred Smith's old sidekick, he did all Fred's dirty work..."
Orchide.Detroit is spearheaded by Freddie Brooks, a veteran Detroit music producer whose credits including recordings by Patti Smith ("Don't Smoke In Bed"); Fred "Sonic" Smith ("Sweet Nothing" and "City Slang"); Academy Award winning songwriter Luis Resto ("Combo De Momento"); a compilation album featuring the music of Carolyn Striho, Luis Resto and David McMurray ("Secrets & Space") and a veritable trove of Detroit Energy Asylum recordings.
Brooks believes the MC5 documentary is an absolute masterpiece and the filmmakers deserve high praise both for their creativity and for their valiant struggle to make this tremendous film a reality.