Film

ONCE WERE BROTHERS: ROBBIE ROBERTSON AND THE BAND

Produced by Windsor native Stephen Paniccia, directed by Daniel Roher and executive produced by Martin Scorsese, Brian Grazer, and Ron Howard, this feature documentary follows Robertson from his early life in Toronto and on the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve, in Southern Ontario, to the creation of legendary roots-rock group The Band. Roher's film draws you right into Robertson's orbit as he recounts his early formation, the talent, hard work, and happy accidents that led to his fame with The Band, and the conflicts that consumed them.

Rare archival images, Robertson's memory for detail, and contributions from friends such as Eric Clapton and Bruce Springsteen conjure up an era of creativity and excess that can never quite be repeated. But as The Band reached their creative peak, the seeds of their destruction were growing: egos, jealousies, and various intoxicants began to tear them apart. Offering unprecedented access to rock history, Once Were Brothers tells the story of one remarkable Canadian's contribution to music.