9 Songs (2004)
Michael Winterbottom's daring, intimate portrait of desire and memory, told through two lovers and nine unforgettable live performances.
9 Songs - Movie Information
- Original Title: 9 Songs
- Release Year: 2004
- Directed by: Michael Winterbottom
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Music, Romance
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 10m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): July 16, 2004 (United Kingdom - 18), January 20, 2005 (Germany - 16), March 2, 2005 (France - 18), September 23, 2004 (Spain - 18), October 27, 2011 (South Korea - 청소년 관람불가)
- Alternative Titles: Nueve canciones (ES), 9 Canções (BR), 九歌 (CN), Nine Songs (UK)
- Production Companies: Revolution Films
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
9 Songs - Plot
Matt, a young glaciologist, soars across the vast, silent, icebound immensities of the South Pole as he recalls his love affair with Lisa. They meet at a mobbed rock concert in a vast music hall - London's Brixton Academy. They are in bed at night's end. Together, over a period of several months, they pursue a mutual sexual passion whose inevitable stages unfold in counterpoint to nine live-concert songs.
9 Songs - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a sense of the film's intimate, music-driven world:
2 lovers, one summer, and the 9 songs that defined them.
Where to Watch 9 Songs
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9 Songs - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Michael Winterbottom
Main Cast
- Kieran O'Brien
- Margo Stilley
- Courtney Taylor-Taylor
- Alex Kapranos
- Guy Garvey
- Robert Levon Been
- Peter Hayes
- Gruff Rhys
- Jason Stollsteimer
- Marcie Bolen
Writers
- Michael Winterbottom
Producers
- Michael Winterbottom
- Andrew Eaton
9 Songs - FAQs
Is 9 Songs based on a true story?
9 Songs is not based on a specific true story. Director Michael Winterbottom conceived it as an original, semi-autobiographical exploration of intimacy and memory, using a fictional relationship between Matt and Lisa to examine how music and physical passion shape and define a love affair.
Why is 9 Songs considered controversial?
9 Songs generated significant controversy upon release because it features unsimulated sexual acts between its two leads, Kieran O'Brien and Margo Stilley. Director Michael Winterbottom deliberately blurred the line between art cinema and explicit content, sparking widespread debate about obscenity, artistic merit, and censorship in mainstream film.
Where can you stream or watch 9 Songs?
Streaming availability for 9 Songs varies by region and platform. You can check current options — including rental, purchase, and subscription services available in your area — by visiting JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date streaming and VOD listings for the film.
Who are the main actors in 9 Songs?
The film stars Kieran O'Brien as Matt and Margo Stilley as Lisa. The supporting cast includes real musicians appearing as themselves: Courtney Taylor-Taylor of The Dandy Warhols, Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand, Guy Garvey of Elbow, and members of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Super Furry Animals, and The Von Bondies.
What is 9 Songs about?
9 Songs follows Matt, a British glaciologist working in Antarctica, as he reflects on his intense love affair with Lisa, an American woman he met at a London rock concert. Their relationship unfolds across nine live performances, interweaving raw physical intimacy with the emotional rhythms of contemporary music.
What is the age rating for 9 Songs?
9 Songs is rated NR (Not Rated) in the United States. Due to its explicit sexual content, it received an 18 certificate in the United Kingdom and France, a 16 rating in Germany, and an 18 equivalent rating in Spain and South Korea. It is strictly intended for adult audiences.
Who directed 9 Songs and what is the runtime?
9 Songs was written and directed by Michael Winterbottom, the prolific British filmmaker known for his genre-spanning work. The film runs approximately 70 minutes, making it one of the shorter entries in Winterbottom's filmography while remaining one of his most provocative and discussed works.
What bands and songs feature in 9 Songs?
The film features live concert footage from nine acts including Franz Ferdinand, Elbow, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Dandy Warhols, Super Furry Animals, The Von Bondies, and Primal Scream. These performances, filmed at London's Brixton Academy, provide the emotional and structural backbone of the entire narrative.
More About 9 Songs
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