Jonathan Demme | 1944–2017

SHORTLY after Jonathan Demme died – on April 26, aged 73 – David Byrne wrote an extensive eulogy for the film director on his blog. reflecting on their first collaboration together, the 1984 talking heads’ concert film, Stop Making Sense, Byrne praised Demme’s singular approach to the project.

- Michael Bonner

“Jonathan’s skill was to see the show almost as a theatrical piece, in which the characters and their quirks would be introduced to the audience, and you’d get to know the band as people, each with their distinct personalities. they became your friends. I was too focused on the music, the staging and the lighting to see how important his focus on character was – it made the movies something different and special. “His view of the world was open, warm, animated and energetic,” continued Byrne.

Byrne was not the only former collaborator to hold Demme in such high esteem. Bruce Springsteen described him as “a great spirit.

Always smiling, always involved with the world and always pushing you to go for your best.” Justin Timberlake, meanwhile, described Demme as “a master of humanity, a genius of storytelling and a generous and warm man”.