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Dixie Chicks Refuse to "Shut Up" in New Documentary

The Weinstein Company plans to distribute the documentary Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing later this year, tentatively planning a worldwide release right before the November mid-term elections in the U.S. The film charts the Dixie Chicks during their surprising and polarizing shift into political activism, a move that generated a continuing media flurry and caused substantial backlash among their fans.

"I am extremely proud to be associated with this film because it's not only an outstanding and creative piece of work, but it also exposes our responsibility as Americans to confront our fundamental right to freedom of speech," said film exec Harvey Weinstein, himself a well-known supporter of Democratic causes.

"This film tells the story of three all-American women who refused to back down and in the process became stronger," added co-director Barbara Kopple. Kopple and fellow director Cecilia Peck have been following the Dixie Chicks since 2003, when Natalie Maines initially sparked a controversy by saying that she was embarrassed to be from the same state as George W. Bush.

While Kopple points out that the Dixie Chicks continue to draw a diverse audience that spans political parties, it's clear that the trio has taken a hit in record sales and ticket sales because of their beliefs; some conservative pundits have even actively advocated boycotts.

Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing will have its world premiere next month at the Toronto International Film Festival. In addition to detailing the ramifications of the band's public politics, the documentary also features a healthy amount of concert footage, including one new song written just for the film.

--The ARTISTdirect Staff
08.23.06