SXSW Film Preview: Still Bill

Grandma's hands
Soothed a local unwed mother
Grandma's hands
Used to ache sometimes and swell
Grandma's hands
Used to lift her face and tell her,
"Baby, Grandma understands
That you really love that man
Put yourself in Jesus hands"
Grandma's hands
-- "Grandma's Hands" by Bill Withers

Whatever happened to Bill Withers? Filmmakers Damani Baker and Alex Vlack made a decision eight years ago to find the answer. After dealing with some initial resistance, they found that Bill Withers was willing to open up to them. Still Bill, the final result of their collaboration, focuses on the life of the singer-songwriter, whose catalog includes such hits as "Ain't No Sunshine", "Use Me", "Lean on Me" and "Just the Two of Us." The documentary follows Withers to his birthplace of Slab Fork, West Virginia and to New York City, where a concert is given in his honor, but is mainly focused on Withers' life in Los Angeles, where he resides with his family. Withers grew up an asthmatic stutterer, which led to some self-esteem/self-worth issues that he still deals with. Before he burst into the world of music, Withers spent time working in a factory and seemed to have no real hankering for fame. Perhaps that is why it wasn't too difficult for him to stop releasing albums after his lousy experience with a big-name record label.

The documentary weaves together concert footage, as well as Withers' past and current music, while Withers recounts his experiences in the business and why he gave it up (he hasn't put out an album in over 20 years). Featuring appearances by Dr. Cornel West, Tavis Smiley, Jim James (of My Morning Jacket), Sting, and family friends, the film strives to shed some light on Bill Withers in his 70th year.

Still Bill will have its World Premiere on Wednesday, March 18 at the Paramount. For more information, check out the SXSW Film Festival schedule.