Sky Arts & Eagle Rock Entertainment proudly presents the first in-depth film biography of Ronnie Wood, by acclaimed director, Mike Figgis. Somebody Up There Likes Me screened to critical acclaim at the London Film Festival last year.
Ronnie Wood – artist, musician, producer and author. Yet, there is so much more to know about the man himself. This intimate portrait traces the many lives and careers of one of the most important guitarists in rock music, capturing what it means to be a rock ‘n’ roll icon.
From Wood’s early years to joining the music scene of the 1960s, his time with the Jeff Beck Group, finding fame with The Faces and becoming a permanent member of The Rolling Stones, Mike Figgis captures Wood’s charismatic warmth, energy and honesty as he speaks openly about his battles with drink and drugs. The film takes its title from Wood surviving his chronic smoking habit, as he says: “When they operated on my cancer, they took away my emphysema. They said my lungs were as if I’d never smoked. I thought: ‘How’s that for a Get Out Of Jail Free card?’”.
The documentary features brand new interviews with Wood’s Rolling Stones bandmates Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Charlie Watts, as well as his Faces bandmate, Rod Stewart. Other interviewees include Wood’s wife Sally Wood, singer Imelda May and artist Damien Hirst, alongside both present-day performances and excellent archive footage from Wood’s stellar multi-band career.
Throughout the film, footage of Wood playing guitar and harmonica is a reminder of his talents as a versatile instrumentalist, while he also thoughtfully and skillfully paints in his studio. It climaxes with Wood giving a beautiful, intimate performance of ‘Breathe On Me’ from his 1975 solo album ‘New Look’.
Ronnie says, “I live my life to the full, no regrets. I never got past 29 in my head and since I’m still here, I guess somebody up there does like me! Every day I continue to be inspired by my family, music and art. With my painting I embrace my peaceful side, but then on the flipside I get to rock out. I’m privileged to continue to have so many great moments in my life”.
Philip Edgar Jones, Director Sky Arts, says, “Ronnie Wood is a peerless rock n roll guitar star, an accomplished painter and has led one fascinating life so far. So we’re incredibly pleased to be sharing his story in Someone up There Likes Me with our Sky Arts viewers.”
Somebody Up There Likes Me is a fresh look at Ronnie Wood – a rewarding and compelling insight into one of music’s most likeable, successful and complex key players.
