It’s About You: John Mellencamp

Director: Kurt Markus, Ian Markus
Producers: Kurt Markus, Maria Markus
Category: Music; Popular Culture
Total Running Time: 79 min.
Release Date: 2010
Website: http://www.kurtmarkus.com

Synopsis

This is a personal journey film about singer/songwriter John Mellencamp. It was made during his summer 2009 tour with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson; Mellencamp also recorded his new album in three historical locations during the month and a half tour. The story is told through the eyes of the father/son filmmaking team of Kurt and Ian Markus, neither of whom had ever made a film before. The entire 90-minute film is shot on super8, to stunning effect. This is not a retrospective film with interviews. It is of the moment.

Trailer

John Mellencamp Trailer from Rounder Records on Vimeo.

About the Filmmakers

KURT MARKUS’ extraordinary vision and focus on the American West has earned him critical accolades over the course of his 35-year-long career in photography that has seen his work published in Vanity Fair, GQ, Rolling Stone, Travel and Leisure, New York Times Magazine, Outside, Esquire, Texas Monthly, Entertainment Weekly, Vogue and Best Life as well as overseas outlets. He was recipient of Life Magazine’s Alfred Eisenstaedt Photography Award for his contribution to Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Sports Hall of Fame” feature. He was one of a select group of photographers chosen by Rolling Stone to contribute a special portfolio in celebration of the magazine’s 25th anniversary. Markus has undertaken commercial assignments for Armani, BMW, Sony, Levis, Calvin Klein and Nike.

IAN MARKUS was raised in Montana, surrounded by art and photography. He spent his early days taking photographs and assisting his father, Kurt Markus, on assignment for major magazines. He was mentored by photographers and family friends, especially his godfather, Bruce Weber. After graduating from high school in 2007, Markus headed to Africa, beginning with the climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, camera in hand. His passion for photography took him to Kenya, to the Koijaki Guiding School in the Masaai Mara. There, he taught a two-month digital photography workshop to equip the students with the skills to earn a living guiding tourists on safari photo shoots. In love with Africa, he stayed another two months as a wildlife intern and subsequently a volunteer in an orphanage in Nairobi. Markus is currently studying film at Montana State University, the beginning of his dream to film and direct.