It's About You

It's About You is an intriguing and unique music documentary directed by Kurt and Ian Markus in 2010. Its narrative doesn't merely revolve around its main character, renowned American record producer, musician, and songwriter T Bone Burnett, but goes beyond to delve into the heart of Americana music and those people who were profoundly influenced by it, including legendary musician Bob Dylan and American model Elaine Irwin.

It's About You is not a conventional biography papering the illustrious career of the Grammy-winning music producer, T Bone Burnett. Instead, it peeps into the sultry passion Burnett carries for music, highlighting the way it shapes and brings meaning to his life. Guiding us through a journey that is both personal and profoundly rooted in American music history, Burnett's love for music and his deep connection to it is the primary narrative around which the movie revolves.

The film also offers a riveting exploration into the life and work of iconic folk singer Bob Dylan. It delves into Dylan's exceptional influence on T Bone Burnett and many others of his generation, without turning into a typical linear biographic narrative. Instead, the film encapsulates Dylan's spirit and passion that have made him an enduring figure in American music.

Elaine Irwin, a prominent American model, is a significant character in the movie. "It's About You" traces the course of Elaine’s life, depicting her journey from small-town Pennsylvania to global fame. The film provides a rare glimpse into Elaine's connection with music, her enthusiasm for life, and how it inspires T Bone Burnett and others in the music world, moving beyond the stereotype of a model's glamorous existence.

The movie’s landscape spans across the heartland of America, showcasing the rich musical heritage of the land that shaped T Bone Burnett, Bob Dylan and Elaine Irwin. It’s not just about these characters individually, but also about the intersection of their lives with music, and how this intertwines with the American musical narrative, giving the title a deeper meaning. It is not about one person, but it is about you, me, all of us who are, in some way or another, touched by music.

What sets "It's About You" apart from many other music documentaries is the filmmaking style of the director duo, Kurt and Ian Markus. The film was shot over the course of a single six-week tour that spanned the breadth of America, capturing all the raw details through Super 8 camera, giving the distinct feeling of a road movie. Without being overly sentimental or melodramatic, the movie offers a contemplative gaze, encapsulating the connection between the American landscape and its music heritage. Moreover, the Markuses' style combines a moving visual aesthetic with the poignant strains of Burnett's, Dylan's, and others' music to create a mesmerizing symphony of images and sounds.

"It's About You" is not just a movie for die-hard fans of T Bone Burnett or Bob Dylan or aficionados of Americana music. It is a compelling viewing for anyone who appreciates great music and the passion that fuels its creation. It's a ballad that sings aloud the undying American spirit and the undeniable power of music to inspire and transform lives. It's an incredible journey through the heartland of America, exploring her musical richness and the inspiring lives of the artists who contribute to its soul.

In the end, "It's About You" is a tribute to all those who find solace in music, to all those who see music not merely as an art but as an integral part of their existence. The movie emphasizes that music does not merely belong to the ones who create it, but to anyone who feels it, cherishing and preserving it in their unique way. It's about the power of music, the passion it incites, the stories it tells, and how it becomes a part of our identity. Its title therefore significantly reflects this sentiment - no matter who you are, where you come from, or what your story is - in the end, 'It's About You'.