London, Jan 7 (EFE)
Actors Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson form a musical and sentimental duet in ‘Song Sung Blue: Song for Two’, a film that tells a “real” love story and where music plays “a major role”, as explained by its protagonists in an interview with EFE.
“This film is about the power of family, of love. It’s a love story, it’s a true story. Believe me: everything you see is real, even if it doesn’t seem like it,” describes Jackman, who, along with Hudson and the director, Craig Brewer, welcomes EFE to a London hotel before the film’s premiere, which will arrive in Spanish cinemas this Friday, January 9.
“It’s about resilience, about how we behave and come together, whether in a relationship; in the families we build, even if they are not traditional, or in communities,” the Australian-British actor continues.
Jackman and Hudson bring to the screen the true story of Mike and Claire Sardina, a couple of small-time musicians from Wisconsin (United States) who formed a Neil Diamond tribute band between the 80s and 90s and clung to music to get through life’s vicissitudes and fight for their dreams.
Music as a “lifeline”
Despite being more of a drama than a musical, in ‘Song Sung Blue’ music is key, as in addition to spicing up the plot, it serves as a breath of fresh air for the protagonists, something with which the American actress also felt personally represented.
“It has always been my lifeline, ever since I was little. Music transports me (…) I simply disappear into it, I’ve done it since I was a child. I feel it’s a great language of connection and, without it, many people would have suffered even more,” the American actress comments.
Jackman, beside him, nods and says, “I agree. All my life, particularly when I was younger, in the most difficult times, music has been there.”
Therefore, the actor from ‘Les Miserables’ confesses to feeling “sorrow” for the current generation that does not enjoy music, in his opinion, “in the only way it can be done”: next to the record player; although Hudson speaks out in favor of young people and their renewed love for vinyl records.
“That moment when you put on a record and listen to a note over and over again because you say ‘Oh my God!’ and it really gets to you, I think that’s how Mike and Claire (Sardina) feel about Neil Diamond. Especially Mike. Neil Diamond saved Mike during a period in his life. So yes, music plays the biggest role,” the actress asserts.
A “tribute” to small artists
At a time when cinema has become fond of biopics and advertorials about musical superstars, ‘Song Sung Blue: Song for Two’ keeps its feet on the ground and reminds us that “there are more bands and musicians playing in the shadows than those that are famous,” explains Brewer.
According to the filmmaker, there is a persistent “unfair expectation” on artists, since in the eyes of public opinion the level of success is, in some way, linked to fame and fortune.
“I think you can have a fantastic life if you’re playing for your community, if you can pay your bills, and if you can do what’s in your heart and soul. And that’s what we want this film to be, a tribute to all of them,” Brewer argues.
Along these lines, Jackson also says he appreciates the “nostalgic” aspect that surrounds the film, set about 30 years ago, which makes evident the changes experienced in the music and audiovisual industry.
“Back then, if you wanted to be a musician, you couldn’t just upload something to YouTube and wake up in the morning and be famous. You had to go gig after gig for years and years, just like being an actor. You used to have to go from theater to theater, and it took a long time,” says the Australian Briton.
At 57, Jackson, much like his character Mike in ‘Song Sung Blue’, says he still has “many” professional goals to achieve: “You always have to have dreams and things you want to accomplish. In life, you have to constantly create, and we are very fortunate that sometimes creativity leads to the next thing.”
