Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing
Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing (also known simply as Shut Up and Sing) is a 2006 American documentary film about the Dixie Chicks controversy, produced and directed by Barbara Kopple and Cecilia Peck.[1][2][3]
"Shut Up & Sing" redirects here. For the book by Laura Ingraham, see Shut Up & Sing (book).Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing
- Barbara Kopple
- Cecilia Peck
- David Cassidy
Martie Maguire
Natalie Maines
Emily Robison
Adrian Pasdar
Rick Rubin
George W. Bush (footage)
Simon Renshaw
Gareth Maguire
Tamara Goldsworthy
Chris Burrill
Joan Churchill
Seth Gordon
Bob Eisenhardt
Aaron Kuhn
Emma Morris
Jean Tsien
Michael Culyba (Co-Editor)
- September 12, 2006 (TIFF)
- October 27, 2006 (United States)
93 minutes
United States
English
The film follows the Dixie Chicks, an all-female Texas-based country music trio, over a three-year period of intense public scrutiny, fan backlash, physical threats, and pressure from both corporate and conservative political elements in the United States after lead singer Natalie Maines publicly criticized then President of the United States George W. Bush during a live 2003 concert in London as part of their Top of the World Tour.
Television advertisements[edit]
In October 2006, the film's distributor, The Weinstein Company, announced that NBC had refused to air the TV advertisements for the film, stating that it was following a "policy of not broadcasting ads that deal with issues of public controversy". NBC publicly acknowledged the decision but claimed that it was willing to work with Weinstein to find an acceptable alternative.[9] At the same time, the distributor also claimed that The CW had refused to air these advertisements, citing "concerns we do not have appropriate programming in which to schedule this spot". That network later said its statement was merely an opinion on whether its target audience would respond to the ad, and that it would have accepted the ads if Weinstein had actually bought commercial time.[10]
At the time, CBS was the only major television network to have agreed to air the ads for the film, according to a Weinstein spokesperson, who said the company was also waiting on responses from ABC and Fox.[11] It is not clear which decision either network ultimately made. However, individual stations affiliated with all five networks, including some owned by NBC, aired the ad during local ad time.
Reception[edit]
Box office[edit]
The film opened in New York City and Los Angeles on October 27, 2006 in only 4 theatres. In its first week it grossed an average of US$50,103. In its sixth week (38 days after its original release) the film expanded to its widest release, being shown at 84 theaters.
Rating[edit]
The documentary received an R rating from the Motion Picture Association of America for strong language.[29]