From Australia’s own David Helfgott to punk poets in post-Brexit Britain, from German techno under lockdown to music traded by Bluetooth across the Sahara — these are four remarkable stories into rhythm and reinvention.
Artists who don’t just perform. They live it.
This month we bring you 4 acclaimed music documentaries featured at film festivals, such as DocEdge, Hot Docs, CPH:DOX and IDFA.
Hello! I am David!
The Aussie genius, the struggle, the man behind the music.
Best known for inspiring the Oscar-winning film Shine, legendary Aussie pianist David Helfgott returns to the screen in this deeply personal and joy-filled portrait. From his modest beginnings to his international tours — often performing barefoot, smiling, and swaying with the music — David’s story is one of love and the healing power of art.
We meet his devoted wife Gillian, revisit formative performances, and witness the magic of a musician who doesn’t just play notes — he lives them.
Why Watch:
- An intimate story of love, music, and overcoming mental health challenges
- Film festivals: DocEdge Film Festival New Zealand
FCK 2020
When the rave stops, what’s left?
With the pandemic derailing tours and shuttering nightclubs, German techno legends Scooter find themselves in unfamiliar territory: stuck at home. This chaotic, behind-the-scenes documentary captures their struggle to stay creative, connected, and just plain sane during the weirdest year of their careers.
It’s loud, it’s strange, and it’s the perfect time capsule of music in the age of lockdown.
Why Watch:
- Nostalgic, hilarious, and oddly relatable for anyone who lived through 2020
- High-energy insight into the world of European dance music
- Film Festivals: FilmFest Hamburg, German Film Festival Australia
Bunch of Kunst
Punk’s not dead — it’s just gone DIY.
Step inside the unvarnished world of Sleaford Mods, the unlikely duo behind a post-punk revival powered by rage, rhythm, and everyday poetry. With biting lyrics and minimal beats, they channel the voice of Britain’s working class with brutal honesty and unexpected humour.
This is music stripped bare — no filters, no fakery — just two guys, a laptop, and a lot to say.
Why Watch:
- For fans of The Clash, The Streets, or anyone who loves anti-establishment anthems
- Surprisingly funny, sharply political, and weirdly heartwarming
- Film Festivals: CPH:DOX, Int'l Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam
A Story of Sahel Sounds
A musical road trip across the beating heart of West Africa.
Follow Christopher Kirkley — a musicologist with a motorbike and a mission — as he travels across Mali, Niger, and Mauritania recording local musicians who share their art via mobile phones and Bluetooth sticks. This is music as lifeblood: raw, real, and rooted in community.
Against the backdrop of political unrest and social change, Story of Sahel Sounds is a celebration of creativity unbound by borders, studios, or commercialism.
Why Watch:
- For lovers of world music, cultural discovery, and grassroots artistry
- A visual and auditory escape far from the mainstream
- Proof that music truly travels; Hot Docs Film Festival
For more information and imagery on iWonder shows and documentaries or to request media access to the service, please contact adrian@iwonder.com
