20,000 Days on Earth

In '20,000 Days on Earth,' the camera follows Nick Cave, the enigmatic Australian musician, on a day that seems to blur the lines between reality and fiction. The film is presented as a documentary, but it's also a work of fiction, and Cave's narrative is woven with anecdotes, stories, and philosophical musings that reflect his unique world view. The film begins with Cave waking up in a Los Angeles hotel room, where he's been staying for the last seven years while touring with his band, the Bad Seeds. He's been struggling with the pressures of fame, and the film captures his introspective mood as he contemplates the significance of his life and career. As he gets dressed and prepares for the day ahead, he begins to ruminate on his past, including the loss of his younger brother, Dig, to a tragic accident when he was just six years old. Throughout the film, Cave interacts with a variety of characters, including his collaborator and friend Warren Ellis, a musician and director. Together, they navigate the city, attending a therapy session, where Cave discusses his feelings of guilt and survivor's remorse. The scene is shot in a mockumentary style, where Cave is aware of the camera and the audience, addressing the viewer directly. This self-aware, meta style is a hallmark of the film, adding to its sense of blurring reality and fiction. As the day unfolds, Cave visits various locations that hold significance for him, including a church in Brighton, England, where he sings a haunting version of 'Far from Me,' a song he wrote in tribute to his wife, Susie. This song, released in 2012, was a heartfelt love letter to his partner, and singing it in the church is a poignant moment, as it highlights Cave's deep spirituality and emotional vulnerability. In another poignant scene, Cave visits the London Museum of Childhood, where he comes face to face with a photograph of himself and his brother, taken when they were just children. This image serves as a reminder of the loss he's experienced and the fragility of life, as expressed in one of his most iconic songs, 'Into My Arms.' Cave's narrative is filled with anecdotes and stories about his life, music, and the people he's met on his journey. He talks about the influences that have shaped his work, from the poetry of Arthur Rimbaud to the music of Tom Waits. He also discusses the challenges of being a creative person, where the pressure to produce something new and original can be overwhelming. At one point, Cage is asked about the idea of 'good' art, and his response is illuminating: 'It's when you're trying to get out of the room, when you're trying to get out of the room with your head held high, that's when the good art happens.' Throughout the film, Cave is accompanied by various musical collaborators, including Ellis, as well as the American singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue. In one remarkable scene, Cave and Kylie join forces to record a haunting version of 'There She Goes, My Beautiful World,' a song from Cave's 2004 album 'No More Shall We Part.' This duet is a highlight of the film, as it showcases Cave's incredible voice and his ability to connect with other artists. The film ends with Cave reflecting on the meaning of his life and career, as well as the nature of time itself. He talks about the idea of '20,000 days,' the number of days a person is born for, and how he's reached the midpoint of his own lifespan. This introspective mood is reflected in the film's final shot, where Cave is seen walking away from the camera, into the distance, leaving the audience with a sense of awe and reverence for the complexities of the human experience. '20,000 Days on Earth' is a deeply personal film, one that offers a unique glimpse into the mind and heart of Nick Cave. Through its innovative storytelling and lyrical script, the film captures the essence of Cave's art, which is characterized by its poetic language, melodic music, and unblinking gaze into the human condition. It's a testament to Cave's enduring legacy, one that continues to inspire and move audiences around the world.