Stevie Van Zandt discusses HBO documentary about his life and work, at NYC premiere

by JAY LUSTIG
stevie van zandt disciple

Stevie Van Zandt, as seen in the HBO documentary, “Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple.”

The HBO Original documentary “Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple” premiered at The Tribeca Film Festival in New York, June 8, with the musician/actor/activist/educator and others who appear in the film — including Jackson Browne, Darlene Love and Gary U.S. Bonds — in attendance. It will be shown on HBO on June 22 and begin streaming on Max the same day, and also will be shown two more times at The Tribeca Film Festival: June 10 at 2:30 p.m., and June 15 at 8 p.m. at Village East by Angelika theater (visit TribecaFilm.com).

Bruce Springsteen, interviewed in “Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple.”

Among the many others who were interviewed for the Bill Teck-directed, 147-minute film were Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Bono, Eddie Vedder, Southside Johnny, Jesse Malin and Mike Stoller (of the Leiber & Stoller songwriting team), Springsteen manager and producer Jon Landau, and Van’s Zandt’s half-brother Billy and half-sister Kathi.

I will post a full review closer to the HBO premiere date. But for now, I just wanted to share some things Van Zandt said at the question-and-answer session, moderated by Tribeca Film Festival programmer Jonathan Penner, that followed the June 8 screening.

“I just said, ‘Bill, just try and do one thing: Please explain my life to me,’ ” said Van Zandt, after confirming that he had seen the finished product for the first time, along with the rest of the audience, at this screening. “And he did a pretty good job, you know. I must say, you know, it’s not easy making sense of it, because a lot of it’s not really sensible.

“I know what a challenge (it was) to write the book,” he continued, referring to his 2022 memoir, “Unrequited Infatuations.” “And I thought they really did a terrific job. They really did. It’s a very coherent story, the way they told it. It’s more coherent than the way I lived it.”

He also said that he had told Teck, “Just make it about the work. I don’t care so much about me. But I think the work is worth focusing on, and getting out there a little bit.”

He continued, “And that’s what he did — that’s what they did. They focused on the work. And I appreciate that.”

Here is the film’s trailer:

CONTRIBUTE TO NJARTS.NET

Since launching in September 2014, NJArts.net, a 501(c)(3) organization, has become one of the most important media outlets for the Garden State arts scene. And it has always offered its content without a subscription fee, or a paywall. Its continued existence depends on support from members of that scene, and the state’s arts lovers. Please consider making a contribution of any amount to NJArts.net via PayPal, or by sending a check made out to NJArts.net to 11 Skytop Terrace, Montclair, NJ 07043.

$

Custom Amount

Personal Info

Donation Total: $20.00

Leave a Comment

Explore more articles:

Sign up for our Newsletter