Film is in partnership with Utopia & Playtone
Utopia and Playtone have announced that principal photography has commenced on feature documentary, Hung Up On A Dream, which will chart the 60 year career of The Zombies and the highs and lows of the beloved British band. The official documentary feature will be directed by Robert Schwartzman, filmmaker and co-founder of distribution company Utopia, whose director credits include the Tribeca debut Dreamland, SXSW’s official selection The Unicorn, and most recently, feature comedy The Argument. Schwartzman is also known as the founding member and songwriter of the platinum selling global rock band Rooney and portions of the film are being shot in a notably unique fashion – while Rooney is on tour with The Zombies, opening for them as they perform across the USA.
Hung Up On A Dream will chart the improbable story behind one of the leading British Invasion bands, starting with their formation by Rod Argent, Colin Blunstone, Chris White, Paul Atkinson and Hugh Grundy in the 1960s with No. 1 hits “She’s Not There” and “Time Of The Season,” to their successful solo careers, before reuniting as a touring and recording band for the past two decades, being inducted in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and having made (what critics and fellow musicians call) one of the best albums of all time with Odessey And Oracle.
In addition to portions of the film being shot during the tour, the film will include exclusive interviews and never-before-seen archival footage, capturing the long journey of a band that was ahead of its time, and the enduring impact of their music on generations of musicians and songwriters, including the filmmaker himself.
Utopia is producing the film with Russell Wayne Groves producing for The Ranch and former VH1 and Sony ATV executive Rick Krim serving as executive producer. Utopia recently announced its Originals venture, producing The Blues Brothers docu-series.
Playtone will be presenting the film, bringing their vast expertise in iconic scripted and unscripted stories to the project. Founded and run by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, Playtone also produced the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony from 2012-2019, including the year that The Zombies were inducted.
“The soundtrack of my life is The Zombies’ timeless album Odessey And Oracle,” shares Schwartzman. “It inspired me to start writing songs and chase the dream of being in a band. Flash forward, now I get to tell these stories on the screen, bringing together my passion for music and film, all set to the backdrop of one of my favorite recording artists, The Zombies! Their story has to be told, the music is too good to not give fans and audiences a better perspective of their career to this point. I can’t express how happy I am to be on this journey with them.”
“It is so great to be working with Robert’s documentary team and finally telling the extraordinary story of The Zombies journey from teenage rock fans to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees!” adds The Zombies’ Colin Blunstone.
The film is being made available for pre-order, where fans will have the opportunity for early access to watch a VIP exclusive, special extended edition of the film and a first listen to two new songs from an upcoming Zombies LP due out in 2023, with commentary from founding members Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone, providing an opportunity for fans to immerse themselves in the project.
