Pulp Documentary Revisits Four Decades of the Sheffield Band on MUBI
Jarvis Cocker performs with Pulp before a packed audience in the documentary Pulp: What Do You Do for an Encore? Image courtesy of MUBI
Pulp’s long road from Sheffield outsiders to one of Britain’s most recognizable bands is getting a new documentary that mixes concert footage with material pulled from more than four decades of the group’s history.
Pulp: What Do You Do for an Encore? begins streaming exclusively on MUBI September 25 following a one-night U.S. theatrical presentation September 24. Directed by longtime Pulp collaborator Garth Jennings, the 99-minute film is narrated by frontman Jarvis Cocker.
Rather than functioning strictly as a concert film, Jennings uses footage from Pulp’s live return alongside previously unseen archival material to trace the band’s unusual path. Pulp formed in Sheffield long before its commercial breakthrough, eventually becoming closely associated with the 1990s Britpop era through songs including “Common People.”
The documentary arrives during another unexpected chapter for the band. Pulp returned with More, its first new studio album in 24 years, while attracting audiences that include listeners too young to have experienced the group’s original 1990s run.
Jennings has history with Pulp stretching back decades, including directing music videos for the band. His new film combines that familiarity with Cocker’s recollections, early material from the group’s history and footage of Pulp performing for a large modern audience.
For viewers who know Pulp primarily from its biggest songs, What Do You Do for an Encore? offers considerably more context. It is the story of a band that spent years outside the mainstream, eventually found an enormous audience and, decades later, discovered that audience had not disappeared.
Stay Tuned — Subscribe below for more updates and sneak peeks! From TV shows and movie premieres to stories from the vibrant culture of The Bronx, TalkTeaV has you covered. Don't forget to join the conversation on social media — links below!
Comments