From Reuters:
[www.nytimes.com]

BERLIN (Reuters) - Martin Scorsese brings the magic of the Rolling Stones to the big screen with "Shine a Light," a two-hour concert film of the veteran British rockers strutting their stuff at a packed New York venue.

The documentary, filmed with 17 cameras at two concerts at the intimate Beacon Theater in 2006, opens the annual Berlin Film Festival on Thursday, a fitting beginning to an 11-day cinematic marathon that is rich in rock'n'roll.

Journalists at a preview screening ahead of the evening red carpet premiere watched the four 60-something band members shot from almost every conceivable angle for the film named after a single on their 1972 album "Exile on Main St."

Jagger, now 64, defies his years, gyrating and pouting his way through a string of hits including "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "Brown Sugar" and "Start Me Up," while guitarist Keith Richards grins mischievously throughout.

Scorsese has used Rolling Stones music from the start of his career, prompting Jagger to joke that "Shine a Light" was the only film of his not to feature the song "Gimme Shelter."

"For me the music was certainly part of my life throughout the 60s," Scorsese told reporters at a press conference.

"For me the sound of the movie, the chords, the vocals, the entire feel of the music inspired me greatly," added the director, flanked by the four band members.

"It became the basis for most of the work I've done in my movies going from 'Mean Streets' on to 'Raging Bull' all the way over to 'Casino' and 'The Departed'."

ARCHIVE, NEW ANGLES

Scorsese adds short clips of black-and-white archive footage between songs showing a young Jagger or Richards fielding often inane and repetitive questions from reporters around the world.

Just two years after the band formed, Jagger was asked how long the band could keep going.

"I don't know," he replied. "I think we're pretty well set up for at least another year."

In another interview he is asked: "Can you picture yourself at the age of 60 doing what you're doing now?"

Jagger replies: "Yeh, easily. Yeh."

Before the concert starts, Scorsese is shown desperately trying to find out the track list ahead of the concert.

Richards and Ronnie Wood are filmed playing pool before a gig and Jagger pours over lists of songs categorized as "well known," "medium known" and "unknown."

The band, looking slightly perplexed, is introduced to former U.S. President Bill Clinton and his friends before a show. After they leave, Richards jokes: "Hey Clinty, We're Bushed!"

Scorsese's cameras are located in the crowd and behind the stage, giving a 360 degree view of the performance from both the fans' and the band's point of view.

"We were able to go out there and just do a Stones show," Richards told reporters. "There are many cameras but we didn't even see them, we didn't even know they were there. That was very important."

Jagger performs on stage with Jack White of The White Stripes, Christina Aguilera and a mesmerizing Buddy Guy.

Least comfortable of all before the camera is drummer Charlie Watts, the oldest member of the band at 66.

"I hate it, but it's very beautifully filmed," he said, when asked how he found the experience of making the movie. "I hate doing it, like sitting up here for example."

(Editing by Paul Casciato)

"I hate it, but it's very beautifully filmed," he said, when asked how he found the experience of making the movie. "I hate doing it, like sitting up here for example."




Hahah...Charlie...