Babelgum announced today that Ceri Levy’s Bananaz, about virtual cartoon band Gorillaz, has been selected to screen on the new, Flash-driven Babelgum website as the first ever global, on-line premiere on April 20th prior to the film’s subsequent theatrical release via EMI including DVD and broadcast rights worldwide.
Bananaz is an un-sanitised, free-wheeling documentary film, taking down the virtual walls of Gorillaz in an intimate, honest and often hilarious account of the working relationship between Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett and their extraordinary creative process.
From 2000 to 2006 director Ceri Levy filmed alongside the creators behind the scenes, from first drawings, animations, music and the musicians, through to the faces behind the voices of Murdoc, 2D, Noodle and Russel Hobbs. Made with the spirit of collaboration and madness that is Gorillaz, Bananaz also has appearances from many of those who occasionally pass through this virtual band; Dennis Hopper, De la Soul, Ibrahim Ferrer, Dangermouse, Dan the Automator, D12, Bootie Brown and Neneh Cherry. Bananaz received its first theatrical premiere at the 58th Berlin Film Festival and went on to receive cult status on the festival circuit from South by South West to Edinburgh.
Babelgum.com will also launch a Gorillaz channel (http://www.babelgum.com/gorillazgobananaz), featuring live concerts, videos, two new games, a fan competition and exclusive
Bananaz clips along with its four-week exclusive screening presentation of the film. Babelgum music has created a platform that allows artists to express themselves in a visually compelling way. It also allows fans to engage and explore music in a content rich environment. Bananaz will be the first of many exclusives planned for the channel.
