Aviva Press

By Maria Esteves - March 2, 2010

The Opening Night New York Premiere documentary of STILL BILL, co-directed by Damani Baker and Alex Vlack, commenced January 27 - 28, 2010, at the IFC Center, New York. Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter, and musician Bill Withers appeared for a special Q&A session following the two sold out opening screenings with filmmakers Damani Baker and Alex Vlack. STILL BILL played at the IFC Center for a week. Arrivals at the opening night included artists, producers, industry professionals, and celebrity guests.

STILL BILL is a profound heartfelt documentary revealing the intimate life of singer, songwriter, and musician Bill Withers (William Harrison Withers, Jr.). Born July 4, 1938, in West Virginia, a childhood stutter, who joined the U.S. Navy, then went to work on building 747 aircraft toilets. In the late 1960s, Withers began to play the guitar, write, and sing soulful songs that became award winning classic masterpieces. The film captures his concern as an advocate of adolescent stuttering; concert footage; interviews with family, friends, and musicians (Sting). 

Withers timeless songs showcased in this documentary include "Ain't No Sunshine," "Grandma's Hands," "Just The Two Of Us," "Lean On Me," "Lovely Day," "Mi Amigo Cubano (Bill Withers & Raul Midon)," "Telephone Call Away (Bill Withers & Kori Withers)," "Use Me," "Who Is He (And What Is He To You)" and many others.

STILL BILL, B-Side Entertainment, co-directed by Damani Baker and Alex Vlack | Documentary Feature | USA | 2009 | English | 78 MIN., winner of Best Documentary Feature Film Award and Audience Award, 2009 Urbanworld Film Festival, now on DVD. For more information, visit http://stillbillthemovie.com/.

Cast: Bill Withers, Kori Withers, Marcia Withers, Todd Withers, Clarence Avant, Benorce Blackmon, James Gadson, Terrell Harrison, Angelique Kidjo, Jim James, Mervin Johnson, Ralph MacDonald, Raul Midon, Tavis Smiley, Sting, C.V. Thompson and Cornel West.