Blaze — Trailer

added: Fri, Jun 22nd '18

Four-time Oscar-nominated actor Ethan Hawke once again goes behind the camera to direct a feature film, this time, offering a candid and somber depiction of the life and career of Texas country music singer-songwriter Blaze Foley, who is remembered as being one of the key "outlaw" musicians who helped establish Austin's vibrant music scene in the 1970s and '80s.

Arkansas-born musician-songwriter Ben Dickey makes his acting debut, portraying Blaze Foley in the Hawke-directed drama, "Blaze," which also stars Arrested Development's Alia Shawkat as Sybil Rosen, Blaze's longtime girlfriend and muse. Sybil wrote the 2008 memoir "Living in the Woods in a Tree: Remembering Blaze Foley," on which the film is based, and also co-wrote the film's screenplay with Hawke.

The cast also features Josh Hamilton (Netflix's 13 Reasons Why) as one of Blaze's band mates and musician Charlie Sexton (Boyhood) as Blaze's best friend, country music legend Townes Van Zant.

Kris Kristofferson, Sam Rockwell, Steve Zahn, and filmmaker Richard Linklater make guest appearances in the film, which premiered to strong reviews at Sundance this year.

"Blaze" is now slated for an August 17th theatrical release, opening first in Austin, TX, with other cities to follow. In the meantime, watch the trailer, above.

synopsis:
BLAZE is inspired by the life of Blaze Foley, the unsung songwriting legend of the Texas outlaw music movement that spawned the likes of Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. The film weaves together three different periods of time, braiding re-imagined versions of Blaze’s past, present and future. The different strands explore his love affair with Sybil Rosen; his last, dark night on earth; and the impact of his songs and his death had on his fans, friends, and foes. The braided storyline terminates in a bittersweet ending that acknowledges Blaze's profound highs and lows, as well as the impressions he made on the people who shared his journey.

directed by Ethan Hawke

starring Ben Dickey, Alia Shawkat, Josh Hamilton, Charlie Sexton, Kris Kristofferson, Sam Rockwell, Steve Zahn, Richard Linklater

release date August 17, 2018 (in Austin, TX; other cities to follow)