Review: Shut Up and Sing

I never thought much of the Dixie Chicks -- until they got themselves in deep sh!t over saying some true things about their feelings for George Bush during the height of American jingoism and xenophobia. Then I suddenly quite liked them, even if I still wasn't fond of their music.

Now there is a documentary -- Shut Up and Sing -- about their struggles with the loss of fans and support that came as result of speaking out against Bush and his policies. They recently did the Oprah thing, which suggests the lefty-leaning cultural creatives are supporting their cause.

Rolling Stone reviews their movie, giving 3 1/2 out of 4 stars:

Life in Bush America gets a blunt, honest telling in this documentary that makes you want to stand up and cheer without ever begging for tears or glib sympathy. Natalie Maines, the lead singer of the chart-topping Dixie Chicks, set off a shit storm at the start of the Iraq War in 2003 when she told a London audience, "We're ashamed that the president of the United States is from Texas." Maines joined Martie Maguire and Emily Robison -- the two sisters who founded the Texas band -- in a media attempt to straighten up without flying right. But a concerted right-wing effort to kill their radio play and concert appearances, especially in the South, had success. Barbara Kopple, who directed this movie firecracker with Cecilia Peck, has been chronicling threats to democracy since Harlan County, U.S.A. in 1977. And she gives due respect to Topic A: free speech. For three years, the camera focuses on the Chicks as wives, mothers, entertainers and political flash points. Their fight to stay uncompromised is inspiring. When Bush himself claims the Chicks have no right to complain about "hurt feelings," Maines lets out a terse "dumb fuck." Amen to that, sister.

The Zero Boss (among others) recently blogged about how NBC and the CW refused to run an ad for the new movie because it was disparaging of Bush. You can watch the commercial here.

If you want to keep up with what the DC's are up to, you can check out their blog, Shut Up and Post.

Let's all give a round of applause for free speech.

Tags: Dixie Chicks, Shut Up and Sing, Shut Up and Post, George Bush, censorship, free speech