Phil Ochs: There but for Fortune
| Phil Ochs: There but for Fortune | |
|---|---|
Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | Kenneth Bowser |
| Written by | Kenneth Bowser |
| Produced by | Michael Cohl Kenneth Bowser Michael Ochs |
| Edited by | Pamela Scott Arnold |
| Music by | Phil Ochs |
| Distributed by | First Run Features |
Release dates |
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Running time | 97 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Phil Ochs: There but for Fortune is a documentary film on the life and times of folk singer-songwriter Phil Ochs. The film, released theatrically in January 2011, was written and directed by Kenneth Bowser. Its title is taken from one of Ochs' best known songs, "There but for Fortune" (1963).
The documentary features extensive archival footage of Ochs, as well as scenes reflecting the turbulent political climate of the 1960s during which he emerged as a spokesperson on causes such as racial injustice, political oppression, the horrors of war, and labor issues. In addition, it includes interviews with family members and many of the artists and activists who knew him from his arrival in Greenwich Village in the early 1960s through his death in 1976. Also featured are comments from contemporary figures on Ochs' influence. The film was broadcast on January 23, 2012 on the PBS series American Masters.