Feist Doc 'Look at What the Light Did Now' Debuts at Pop Montreal

'Look at What the Light Did Now,' a documentary following the success of Feist's breakout record, 'The Reminder,' debuted Sept. 29 as part of the Pop Montreal International Music Festival.

"We made a real conscious effort not to make it glamorously slick," explained director Anthony Seck at a Q&A after the screening. "It went from shooting an archive, and changed into something else." Feist wasn't in attendance as she is currently in Europe recording her follow-up to the 2007 album.

The film began to take shape four years ago when Feist enlisted Seck to start documenting Montreal artist Clea Minaker as she developed the shadow puppetry show that would soon accompany the singer-songwriter on her theatre and stadium tours across North America; something Feist described to Seck as "something crazy in the works!"

The title, taken from a song by American musician Little Wings featured on Devandra Banhart's folk compilation, 'The Golden Apples of the Sun,' reflects the film's main themes of light and shadows, and its role in the creation of Feist's live performances and much of the artwork for 'The Reminder.'



A visual scrapbook, the film pieces together a plethora of footage dating back from her hype-girl days rapping with friend and producer Chilly Gonzales in circus-like costumes to live clips from her stadium gigs, creating a thorough portrait of Feist's whirlwind musical life story. But the real stars of 'Look at What the Light Did Now' are the artists that Feist enlists to help on 'The Reminder,' from Gonzales and Mocky (real name Dominic Giancarlo Salole) in the recording studio to Minaker, music director Patrick Daughters, photographer Mary Rozzi and graphic designer Simone Rubi.

In one scene, Feist likens having artists surrounding her becoming her "amplifiers" to a peacock, a scrawny bird made beautiful by its mystifyingly gorgeous feathers.

Heartwarming anecdotes from bandmates and friends, as well as sound bites from Broken Social Scene's Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning and Andrew Whiteman offer commentary to the timid personality behind Feist the performer. it's her genuine lack of interest to be in the spotlight that ultimately inspired things like her silhouette appearing on the album cover and dimmed lighting and shadow puppets in her shows.

One doesn't have to be a fan of the Canadian indie darling to appreciate the multiple facets of work behind the Leslie Feist brand which has exploded in recent years. For fans of the singer, though, 'Look at What the Light Did Now' strives to add more dimensions and meaning behind 'The Reminder,' as well as Feist herself, and succeeds in creating a well-rounded portrayal of a burgeoning Canadian icon.

Check out a trailer for the film here, as well as a list of more confirmed screenings.