Steven Wilson is the creator and visionary behind Porcupine Tree and it was with this band that he first worked with film maker Lasse Hoile, a relationship that culminates in the production of this DVD. Wilson has always been a prolific writer and recorder, spawning several side projects (No-Man, Blackfield, Bass Communion etc) but 'Insurgentes' was his first solo release under his own name back in 2008.
Given the title of the DVD I was expecting something along the lines of a 'making of' documentary but in reality there is very little shown of the creative process and the recording of the album. What Hoile delivers is altogether far more interesting, recorded largely on the road over several months the film documents the events that were occurring around Wilson rather than focussing on the recording itself. This features footage of overseas interviews, meeting fans in the street, signing sessions and the usual array of promotional work. Throughout this journey we are introduced to several of Wilson's long term collaborators such as Mikael Akerfeldt from Opeth and the other half of Blackfield, Aviv Geffen. These sections tend to feature very natural conversations with Wilson with the topic revolving largely around download culture and the state of the music industry (as well as several ipods meeting an untimely end). This gives an interesting insight into Wilson's thinking and whilst you find yourself agreeing with most of what he says, it isn't a particularly new or innovative viewpoint.
The most interesting parts of the film are those that take Wilson back to his roots, he revisits his former school, reliving his time there and giving insight into events that shaped his career. There is also an interesting appearance from his father, who built much of the early sound equipment that Wilson experimented with. What makes the whole thing work is the way in which Hoile has edited the film, it never quite seems to move chronologically, each section being interspersed with short art house style footage of Wilson in strange places and plenty of meaningful poses. For those familiar with his work, Wilson often comes over very melancholic so the sight of him posing in huge mouse ears at Disney World is both amusing and a short snapshot at a lighter side to his character.
As a stand alone film it's well put together and (despite plenty of promo work around his releases) gives a rare insight into a usually very private individual. We didn't get the extras with the promo but there is plenty of bonus footage with the official release including over half an hour of Bass Communion live in Mexico, promo videos, Q and A sessions with Wilson and Hoile and six audio out-takes from the album. For Wilson fanatics and Porcupine Tree fans this is pretty essential viewing but there's enough of a rockumentary feel about it to appeal to a wider audience as well.