Maysles’ intimate doc 'The Love We Make' to Showtime September 10

By April MacIntyre Jul 19, 2011, 19:03 GMT

Showtime brings a poignant documentary from filmmaker Albert Maysles and Paul McCartney to the network on September 10th At 9:00 ET/PT.

As the country prepares to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks on New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania, Showtime will premiere the highly-anticipated feature documentary The Love We Make, which chronicles Paul McCartney’s poignant and cathartic journey through the streets of New York City in the aftermath of the World Trade Center's destruction.

It also traces the planning and performance of the monumental benefit concert at Madison Square Garden, “The Concert for New York City,” which took place less than six weeks after the terrorist attacks. 

Directed by iconic documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles (Gimme Shelter, Salesman, Grey Gardens) and his award-winning filmmaking partner, Bradley Kaplan (Muhammad and Larry, Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out!, Sand and Sorrow), the doc was shot in the signature cinéma vérité style that Maysles pioneered and made famous when he filmed the Beatles’ first visit to America in the legendary 1964 documentary What’s Happening! The Beatles in the U.S.A. 

From Showtime

Shooting once again in 16mm black & white, Maysles’ camera intimately captures McCartney’s personal journey to help heal the city that welcomed him with open arms in 1964. The announcement was made today by David Nevins, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc.      

On the morning of September 11, 2001 McCartney was on a plane on the tarmac in New York City, scheduled to leave the country when the attacks took place.  Grounded, he returned to the city and witnessed first-hand the shock and devastation that overtook the United States.  Directors Maysles and Kaplan, along with Editor Ian Markiewicz (The Beales of Grey Gardens) assembled extraordinary, intimate, never-before-seen footage of McCartney rehearsing for the benefit concert, connecting with New Yorkers on the city streets, and storytelling behind-the-scenes at interviews with Dan Rather, Howard Stern and others. 

Additionally, the film features performances from the benefit concert itself and unparalleled access backstage with McCartney and luminaries from the worlds of music, Hollywood and politics, including David Bowie, Steve Buscemi, Eric Clapton, President Bill Clinton, Sheryl Crow, Leonardo DiCaprio, Harrison Ford, Mick Jagger, Jay Z, Billy Joel, Elton John, Stella McCartney, Governor George Pataki, Keith Richards, James Taylor, Pete Townsend, and many more.

Says McCartney, "It was an honor to be able to help New York and America at that time in its history. There was a feeling of shock and fear in the air that I thought we could help alleviate with music. And the fact that so many people stepped up to join us made for a very uplifting evening for us all."

“Paul McCartney and Albert Maysles are each, in their own fields, iconic artists whose collaboration goes back more than 40 years,” said Nevins.  “In the days following 9/11, they joined forces once again to make a very personal film that is a real testament to the spirit and resiliency of New York City.  We are very proud to be able to premiere this film.”

Filmmaker Maysles adds, “There was so much suffering as a result of 9/11 it’s hard to imagine how one might bring relief to those who were impacted by the attacks, and honor those firefighters, police officers and rescue workers who lost their lives in their heroic attempt to help others.  But Paul had the answer: music and a film that would tell the full story.”

A Film by Albert Maysles, Bradley Kaplan, and Ian Markiewicz.  Directed by Bradley Kaplan and Albert Maysles.  Edited by Ian Markiewicz.  Cinematography by Albert Maysles.  Produced by Bradley Kaplan.