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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Laura Snapes

Edgar Wright to direct documentary about cult pop duo Sparks

No 1 in heaven ... (L-R) Russell and Ron Mael.
No 1 in heaven ... from left, Russell and Ron Mael of Sparks. Photograph: David Sillitoe for the Guardian

Following his 2017 heist film Baby Driver, Edgar Wright is to direct a feature-length documentary on cult pop duo Sparks. The British director shot the Los Angeles band’s concert at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London this May for inclusion in the documentary and is gathering archival footage of the duo.

“I have been a fan of them since I saw them on Top of the Pops in 1979 and when I had Beat the Clock on vinyl,” Wright told IndieWire. On Twitter he clarified that the film is not his only upcoming project.

“How about this little piece of news...!” Sparks tweeted.

It will be Wright’s first documentary though by no means his first music project. He has previously directed videos for Beck, Pharrell Williams, Mint Royale and the Bluetones. Some critics argued that the iPod Classic used by getaway driver Baby was in fact Baby Driver’s central character.

Brothers Ron and Russell Mael formed Sparks in 1972 and reached No 2 on the UK Top 40 in 1974 with This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us. Their latest album is 2017’s Hippopotamus, their 23rd.

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