A24’s 40th anniversary screening of Jonathan Demme’s Talking Heads Stop making sense concert film has become Imax’s largest live event screening ever.
As of Monday night, the Talking Heads concert film earned $640,839 and sold 25 screens at 165 Imax locations in North America. This included a world premiere at the Scotiabank Theater as part of the Toronto Film Festival.
A24’s 4K restoration of Demme’s 1984 concert film also played at the BFI IMAX in London. The TIFF world premiere was followed by a Q&A, streamed live from the Canadian festival and moderated by filmmaker Spike Lee, who directed the concert film David Byrne’s American utopiawhich bowed in Toronto three years ago.
All four original band members were present in Toronto: David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz and Jerry Harrison.
“The unforgettable Stop making sense looks and sounds even more incredible in Imax, and we are excited to share this event with TIFF and our audiences around the world,” said Rich Gelfond, CEO of Imax, in a statement. The film technology company has been pursuing new revenue streams from concerts, celebrity Q&As and other screenings through its Imax Live network.
A24 acquired the Talking Heads concert film and completed a 4K restoration ahead of a theatrical run that opens September 22 exclusively in Imax theaters and September 29 in theaters worldwide. Stop making sense was directed by the late Jonathan Demme and is produced by Gary Goetzman.
The Imax Live events come as consumers watch more films at home, and Imax focuses on more exclusive film screenings, with stars and filmmakers participating in live Q&A sessions.
Peter Jackson’s Disney+ documentary will be released in January 2022 The Beatles: Go Back was edited and played in nearly 70 Imax theaters in North America and at the BFI Theater in London. That was followed by the three-time Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings director answering questions from the Imax audience.
