I came in here to see if there was a release date for this wonderful film, which I saw (twice - it was that good) at the Toronto International Film Festival. And while I didn't find that date, I did decide to take exception to the previously posted comment.
As with all things Lanois, I've discovered, you have to enter with an open mind and be prepared for some unexpected (but usually totally down to earth) aural beauty. This film bridges that aural concept with visual aspects, and hardly disappoints. Yeah, there's some quirky film editing and it's not exactly polished, but that's the point. This is Daniel Lanois we're watching in action! Why would his film be predictable when his music never is?
The stunningly simple point of the film, for me, was that in order to coax each artist's best performance from their unique talent, and then capture and remix it as only Mr. Lanois can do given his own substantial talents, was to allow the mood and creativity of the musicians in the room let the piece evolve on its own. There's 'way more than patience -- or a quick production lesson -- involved in this process. I saw that the reason so many of my favorite albums have production credited to Daniel Lanois, is that he's earned the trust of these disparate artists, encouraged them to cut loose according to their own plan rather than his own, and then manipulated the tape of the event into something that may be totally realistic to the room - or maybe otherworldly, depending again on the mood and the overlapping creativity. An open-ended process...
I loved it! But I didn't expect a lesson in his trade secrets. His ethic doesn't come across as something that can be marketed or copied. Like his chosen subjects, Mr. Lanois seems authentically artistic in his own right. The film is an adventure spending a bit of time in his world, and very inspiring. I hope to own it sometime soon so I can revisit some of those conversations and be re-inspired.