Directed by:
David ByrneCinematography:
Edward LachmanComposer:
David ByrneCast:
David Byrne, John Goodman, Spalding Gray, Annie McEnroe, Swoosie Kurtz, Tito Larriva, John Ingle, Scott Valentine, Ed Geldart, Jerry Harrison, Cora Cardona (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Music icon David Byrne was inspired by tabloid headlines to make this sole foray into feature film directing, an ode to the extraordinariness of ordinary American life and a distillation of what was in his own idiosyncratic mind. Byrne plays a visitor to Virgil, Texas, who introduces us to the citizens of the town during preparations for its Celebration of Specialness. As shot by cinematographer Ed Lachman, Texas becomes a hyperrealistic late-capitalist landscape of endless vistas, shopping malls, and prefab metal buildings. In True Stories, Byrne uses his songs to stitch together pop iconography, voodoo rituals, and a singular variety show—all in the service of uncovering the rich mysteries that lurk under the surface of everyday experience. (Criterion)
(more)Cast
![David Byrne](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/467/467383_f838b6.jpg)
David Byrne
UK
Best movies:
This Must Be the Place (2011)
True Stories (1986)
Lulu on the Bridge (1998)
![John Goodman](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/190/163190821_3e7802.jpg)
John Goodman
USA
Best movies:
Monsters, Inc. (2001)
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Cars (2006)
![Spalding Gray](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/367/161367790_fff289.jpg)
Spalding Gray
USA
Best movies:
The Killing Fields (1984)
Drunks (1995)
King of the Hill (1993)
![Annie McEnroe](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/158/156/158156415_4237ef.jpg)
Annie McEnroe
Best movies:
The Doors (1991)
Heaven & Earth (1993)
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
![Swoosie Kurtz](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/165/098/165098165_404179.png)
Swoosie Kurtz
USA
Best movies:
Dangerous Liaisons (1988)
An Englishman in New York (2009)
Superman: Doomsday (2007)
![Tito Larriva](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/158/141/158141921_d79777.jpg)
Tito Larriva
Mexico
Best movies:
Desperado (1995)
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
Born in East L.A. (1987)
John Ingle
USA
![Scott Valentine](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/713/161713216_5321b4.jpg)
Scott Valentine
USA
Best movies:
True Stories (1986)
My Demon Lover (1987)
Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Framing (1992) (TV movie)
Ed Geldart
USA
Best movies:
Mississippi Burning (1988)
A Perfect World (1993)
Lonesome Dove (1989) (series)
Jerry Harrison
USA
Best movies:
True Stories (1986)
The Darwin Awards (2006)
Cora Cardona
Best movies:
True Stories (1986)
Stop-Loss (2008)
Fast Food Nation (2006)
![Matthew Posey](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/276/162276536_97940d.jpg)
Matthew Posey
USA
Best movies:
Temple Grandin (2010) (TV movie)
No Country for Old Men (2007)
The Life of David Gale (2003)
Jason Liebrecht
USA
Best movies:
Waking Life (2001)
True Stories (1986)
Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)
Alix Elias
USA
Best movies:
Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
John and Mary (1969)
True Stories (1986)
Leesa Rowland
USA
Best movies:
True Stories (1986)
Shakespeare's Sh*tstorm (2020)
Book of Love (1990)
Chris Frantz
USA
Best movies:
True Stories (1986)
Tina Weymouth
USA
Best movies:
True Stories (1986)
John Pritchett
USA
Best movies:
Magnolia (1999)
Wyatt Earp (1994)
Homicide (1991)
Rex Taylor Smith
Best movies:
True Stories (1986)