“Monk in Pieces” in cinemas: Fascinating musical documentary about Meredith Monk

Composer, singer, choreographer, filmmaker, performer—multitalented Meredith Monk is considered a legend of multimedia theater and avant-garde art. For more than 50 years, she has lived in her famous loft in New York's Tribeca district, where she works, organizes workshops, and performs—an explosive creative hub for the vibrant New York scene.

In the musical documentary "Monk in Pieces," Billy Shebar and David C. Roberts paint a fascinating and moving portrait of this exceptional, idiosyncratic artist who was teased as a child for her cross-eyed eyes. Later, she discovered her three-octave voice as a universal language, creating "Juice" in 1969, the first play ever performed in the Guggenheim Rotunda with 85 performers, and the opera "Atlas" in Houston in 1991.

Monk ignored the sexist criticism and disparagement she experienced well into the 1980s. She overcame all the hostility with a globally admired oeuvre, even influencing greats like Yoko Ono and Björk.

For the film, she opened up her archive. From photos, notes and diaries, accounts from companions and contemporary witnesses, a colorful mosaic of sounds and images emerged that reflects the structure of her work and arouses curiosity about the now 82-year-old Monk, who chats about her life, struggles and successes, grief over the death of her partner, pain as a creative motivation – and who will be awarded the Golden Lion for her lifetime achievement at the Biennale Musica in Venice in October.

“Monk in Pieces,” in theaters from August 21, directed by Billy Shebar and David C. Roberts, 94 minutes, FSK 6.