Monk in Pieces

Meredith Monk may not be a household name but her fans include Philip Glass, David Byrne, and Bjork, to say nothing of the Dalai Lama. “She among all of us was — and still is — the uniquely gifted one,” Glass testifies here. As a singer, she has a rare three octave range. But it’s what she does with it that’s really interesting: vocalizing sounds you’ve never heard before. She defies classification. Monk’s also a performance artist, choreographer and composer. And, of course, she’s a woman, which was notable in the New York avant-garde scene of the 1960s and 70s. This playful and personable portrait is a perfect introduction to a singular artist.

Radiates a sacred respect for the difference between what matters to its subject and what doesn’t… even the documentary’s most straightforward moments are steeped in the purity of creation for its own sake.

David Ehrlich, IndieWire

A highly engaging, very human story about an uncompromising female artist battling to keep her unique vision alive.

Stephen Dalton, The Film Verdict