The Love We Make

From paulmccartney.com, November 21, 2011:

We are proud to announce the issue on 28th November 2011 of the unique and compelling Paul McCartney film “The Love We Make” on Blu-ray [Cat. No. ERBRD5125] and DVD [Cat. No. EREDV914].  The film was directed by Albert Maysles [“Gimme Shelter”] and Bradley Kaplan and follows Paul as he journeys through the streets of New York City
in the aftermath of the destruction of the World Trade Centre on 11 September 2001. It also chronicles the planning and performance of the benefit concert that took place less than six months after the attacks: “The Concert For New York City”.

“The Love We Make” was shot on atmospheric 16mm black and white film with colour inserts from the concert.  The title features cameo appearances from a host of well known faces including David Bowie, Steve Buscemi, Eric Clapton, Bill Clinton, Sheryl Crow, Leonardo DeCaprio, Harrison Ford, Mick Jagger, Jay Z, Billy Joel, Elton John and many more.  The Guardian describe the film as “an unexpected cinematic gem that has emerged out of the otherwise sombre occasion of the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.”

“It was an honour to be able to help New York and America at that time in its history,” said McCartney of the concert. “There was a feeling of shock and fear in the air that I thought we could help alleviate with music and the fact that so many people stepped up to join us made for a very uplifting evening for us all.”

“The Love We Make” film features performance clips from the benefit concert and backstage moments with many of the performers and other famous attendees. This poignant film was broadcast on More4 and formed a part of the overall 10th Anniversary remembrance of 9/11.

From Wikipedia:

The Love We Make is a cinéma vérité documentary film by Albert Maysles. The film chronicles Paul McCartney’s experiences in New York City after the September 11, 2001 attacks, following him as he prepared The Concert for New York City October 2001 benefit event. McCartney was on an airplane taxiing at JFK International Airport, about to depart for the United Kingdom, when the attacks occurred, and he wanted to do something to uplift and benefit the first responders in New York, so he arranged this concert. The film chronicles McCartney’s planning and backstage experiences with the other participants in the concert.

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2011 along with a theatrical release on that day in Japan.

The film had its television premiere on Showtime on September 10, 2011 – the eve of the 10th anniversary of the attacks.

The home video was released by Eagle Rock Entertainment on December 6, 2011 on DVD and Blu-ray.

The film’s title comes from a line in The Beatles’ song “The End“.