Ethan Hawke parla del documentario di Merle Haggard "Highway 99: A Double Album" al Telluride Film Festival: "Haggard mi ha fornito un contenuto abbondante"
In California's heart, a small town named Oildale played a crucial role in the life of country music legend Merle Haggard. It was here that he grew up, surrounded by real and abject poverty, an experience that would later echo in his music. Highway 99, the road that gives the film "Highway 99: A Double Album" its title, passes through several California cities, including Oildale and Shasta County, where Haggard died in 2016.
Haggard's life was marked by challenges from an early age. He spent time in prison from the age of 14 to 23 and had virtually no formal education. Despite these obstacles, he rose to the top of the country music profession. His songs, like "Mama Tried" and "Okie From Muskogee," became famous, but his work as a songwriter often went unnoticed.
One of Haggard's most notable songs, "The Immigrant," was written in 1978. It recognized the work of Mexican laborers coming to the U.S. undocumented, a topic that continues to resonate in today's political climate. Another song, "Irma Jackson," was about an interracial romance and was initially withheld from release due to concerns about its impact on Haggard's image.
Throughout his career, Haggard was claimed by opposing political camps at different times. He spoke out against the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and wrote the song "America First" in opposition to the war and to President Bush W. Bush. In 2008, he endorsed Hillary Clinton's bid for president and wrote the song "Let's Put a Woman in Charge."
Haggard's music continues to speak to the political polarization and antagonism of America today. Willie Nelson, another country music legend, even sent out a group email reminding friends that Haggard had more hits than Nelson, Cash, and Parton combined after his death.
Ethan Hawke, the director of "Highway 99: A Double Album," observes that Haggard pulled himself out of Oildale without any help. The documentary film, produced by James Szalapski, organizes Haggard's life around a series of his songs, each one shedding light on different aspects of his biography.
One of the most striking aspects of Haggard's life was his resilience. He broke out of juvenile hall and prison 17 times as a teenager and young man. This spirit of determination is captured in songs like "Things I learned in a hobo jungle," a song that provides insight into his difficult upbringing and lack of formal education.
As Hawke notes, Haggard's greatness and significance were being lost and forgotten. With "Highway 99: A Double Album," he aims to bring Haggard's story back into the spotlight, reminding us of a man who, despite his challenging background, rose to become one of the most influential figures in country music.
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