WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – On a road trip through an alternate universe where Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison never die, Almost Almost Famous explores the lives of three of the world’s top tribute artists, the cost of borrowed fame, and the risks of getting ‘lost in the act.’ Directed by respected Winnipeg filmmaker Barry Lank, and produced by award-winning local production companies, Merit Motion Pictures (Polar Bear Town, Call of the Forest) and Lank/Beach Productions, the documentary will have its Winnipeg theatrical premiere at the Cinematheque on June 7th, 2019 at 9pm. From the beer joints of Texas to the karaoke bars of Honolulu, Almost Almost Famous takes us on a rockin’ rollercoaster alongside the “Class of ‘59” tour, as it brings the greatest hits of the 50s and 60s to audiences across Canada. The film explores how these incredibly talented singers wound up paying the bills as tribute artists. Ted Torres won the 2016 “Images of the King” World Championship in Memphis and would be happy to play the young Elvis forever - but he can’t put the brakes on time. Lance Lipinksy, who rocketed to fame portraying Jerry Lee Lewis on HBO’s “Vinyl” and the “Million Dollar Quartet,” dreams that his own band, The Lovers, will make it big one day. (***SPOILER ALERT***) Meanwhile, Bobby Brooks, the tour’s Jackie Wilson, finds his aspirations turned on their head with the jaw-dropping revelation that Jackie Wilson is his father. Holding the tour together is a face that will be familiar to many Winnipeggers: road manager and music aficionado Marty Kramer. Born and raised in Winnipeg’s North End, Kramer has worked alongside acts like The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Ringo Starr, but finds that keeping the Class of ‘59 performers’ feet on the ground may be the biggest challenge of his career yet. Winnipeg Cinematheque screenings: Fri, June 7* - 9 pm (introduced by Barry Lank)Sat, June 8* - 3 pm & 7 pm (Q&A with Barry Lank and Marty Kramer following the 7pm screening)Sun, June 9 - 3 pm. View listing on the Cinematheque’s website here. Visit almostalmostfamous.com to learn more about the film.
