SXSW 2021
South by Southwest Film Festival went virtually this year due to the ongoing global pandemic. Attendees still got the full experience in the comfort of their home watching on their television screen or computer. There were countless events to watch and here are some upcoming must-see films and television shows.
Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil
The four-part Youtube documentary series, allowing viewers to explore what led to Lovato’s nearly fatal overdose in 2018, and her awakenings in the aftermath. The series contains honest interviews with Lovato’s friends, family, and business partners clearing up some misconceptions about what happened. The documentary walks viewers in answering their questions about why Lovato relapsed again by discussing issues with her estranged relationship with her father and enduring overwhelming control from her team.
The 2018 overdose led Lovato to suffer a heart attack, three strokes, and embark on a fight for her life. “My doctors said that I had five to 10 minutes to live,” said Lovato. Learning how to handle her past traumas made her question if she can handle being sober again. Find out what Lovato’s future holds, now playing on Youtube.
TBS’s new comedy series “Chad”
Chad, an eight-episode series, will premiere on TBS in April. The series follows a 14-year-old pubescent Persian boy who is reconciling with his cultural identity as he navigates his first year of high school. He is going on a mission to become popular while enduring his mother’s new dating life. South by Southwest premiered two episodes of this well-written, cringey adult comedy that viewers will agree is worth watching.
FX’s Dave:
“Hi, I’m Dave” was an SXSW exclusive interview event of the FX comedy series “Dave.” Dave Burd and GaTa joined producers Jeff Schaffer and Saladin Patterson to talk about why the show is resonating with audiences and upcoming plans for the second season. The authenticity of the show comes from the bravery of GaTa and Dave, who are retelling real-life personal stories about their struggles and insecurities. By being vulnerable and staying true to themselves resonated with the audience in finding a connection.
The second season is still in production and will premiere later in 2021. However, Schaffer revealed the storyline of the upcoming season. “I would say this season; we wanted to explore how more success breeds more pressure and we also wanted to explore as everyone gets more successful, what does that mean for Dave and his support group. Revealing that Dave is under a lot of pressure as he deals with making his first album.”
Charli XCX Documentary Alone Together
Charli XCX’s documentary “Alone Together,” directed by Bradly and Pablo, allows viewers to see into her creative process. Viewers follow her in making an album during quarantine along with the help of her devoted fanbase, known as the “Angels.”
In the opening scene, Charli is touring the world promoting her self-titled album, “Charli.” This, of course, came to an abrupt end due to the global pandemic causing lockdown regulation orders. A few weeks into quarantine, needing a creative outlet to keep herself preoccupied, Charli decides to surprise both her label and her Angels by completing her “How I’m Feeling Now” album in a five-week period.
“Alone Together” captures the unbreakable connection between Charli and her Angels. Creating a supportive fanbase who are young outsiders in bonding over Charli’s music in making them feel they belong in the world. The documentary has not yet set a release date but Charli posted on Twitter shortly after the movie’s SXSW premiere stating that “they haven’t sold it yet.” In the near future, let’s hope there is a release date because the audience needs to see a time where the artist and the fans needed each other, in coming together to create an album despite living through a global pandemic.
