Daily Inter Lake
British musician and actor Mick Fleetwood is the executive producer of the feature music documentary “This is Love,” based on the true story of Rudy Love, whose experience in the music industry over the decades encapsulates the quintessential struggle of African American artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. The film will make its Montana premier at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26, at the FLIC Film Festival in Polson.
Best known for his role as drummer and cofounder of the rock band Fleetwood Mac, Fleetwood became involved with the project through his friend and band mate, Gretchen Rhodes, sister of the film’s producer Shawn Rhodes.
“I saw the potential in film as soon as they came to Maui to interview me,” Fleetwood said in an original interview and performance at his venue in Maui, Hawaii, which makes its debut in the film. “The content of the film is something that I have seen and somewhat experienced either personally or vicariously through other people throughout the years in the business.”
Directed by John Alexander, the award-winning film tells the story of Rudy Love whose name circles among musicians like a ghost, an unseen guru who’s been influencing listeners whether they know it or not. Artists from Jay Z to George Clinton herald him as an unsung hero of soul.
Love has been making music all of his life, even though it has all been taken away. From his first contract fraudulently signed when he was 17, Love has been losing his music to publishers and recording labels ever since. His voice has been woven into hits from every decade since the ‘60s, yet he lives unknown in Wichita, Kansas — and all he wants to do is sing. If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard of him, it’s because the music business is vicious, and Rudy Love only cares about love; he turned down fame to make music with his family.
“I am extremely proud of how the film turned out,” Fleetwood said. “Shawn and John worked extremely hard to stay true to the narrative core of the Love family. This is a great story on so many levels. It is brilliant to see ‘This Is Love’ is being recognized for the special film it is. It is well deserved for sure.”
“This is Love” was the 2018 Spirit Award winner at the Raindance Film Festival in London, was named Best International Documentary by Rome Independent and has garnered numerous other awards at film festivals around the world.
In addition to Mick Fleetwood, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee George Clinton, American comedian and actor Sinbad, and famed British DJ Norman Jay help to unveil this unsung hero of soul in the film.