Outside Industry: The Story of SXSW was appropriately screened here at SXSW. Although financially and editorially independent of SXSW, it still feels like a story told by those who created SXSW from their own perspective. In that sense, it is more of an oral history than a full objective historical analysis. It tells the story of how a little shoestring Independent music festival grew into one of the most important music industry events in the world. The film also showcases numerous musical highlights of the Festival's 25 years. The film is entertaining and well-editing. It touches on many issues without going greatly in-depth or presenting nuanced analysis. It is presented very much from the perspective of the founders' with a considerable does of nostalgia of old men reliving their youthful exuberance. Critical voices are presented, but only in a somewhat playful and dismissive manner.
Outside Industry is a good effort as far as it goes as a tribute to the remarkable achievement that is SXSW. The films focus on the founders focuses mostly on the early days without painting a full picture of what has happened in recent years. Unfortunately, the film's near exclusive focus on the Music almost completely ignores the Film and Interactive portions of the SXSW. In so doing, it really presents an incomplete picture of what SXSW has become. I'd add that I doubt the film will have much play outside of Austin and those in the music industry that have attended the SXSW. Still, it is entertaining tribute to an event that has come to epitomize Austin.
Outside Industry is a good effort as far as it goes as a tribute to the remarkable achievement that is SXSW. The films focus on the founders focuses mostly on the early days without painting a full picture of what has happened in recent years. Unfortunately, the film's near exclusive focus on the Music almost completely ignores the Film and Interactive portions of the SXSW. In so doing, it really presents an incomplete picture of what SXSW has become. I'd add that I doubt the film will have much play outside of Austin and those in the music industry that have attended the SXSW. Still, it is entertaining tribute to an event that has come to epitomize Austin.
