Willie Nelson & Family

Director: Oren Moverman, Thom Zimny

Institute History

  • 2023 Sundance Film Festival

Description

With a career spanning seven decades, Willie Nelson is widely recognized as one of the greatest singer-songwriter-guitar players in the history of popular music. A badass American outlaw cowboy who transcended his humble beginnings in small-town Abbott, Texas, he remains beloved in blue states, red states, and let’s not forget — altered states. Willie continues to speak for people from all walks of life with his music, philanthropy, marijuana advocacy, and activism on behalf of the American farmer.


Award-winning filmmakers Thom Zimny and Oren Moverman fuse their own unique styles to construct an intimate and cinematic memoir of the Red Headed Stranger, traversing the highs, lows, and in-betweens of Willie’s personal life and professional career. Alongside close friends and family who have accompanied him on a remarkable journey, Willie tells his story in his own voice, staying true to his longtime philosophy: “Don’t be an asshole. Don’t be an asshole. Don’t be a goddamn asshole.”


Sundance is proud to present all five episodes of this definitive multi-part film series about a true American icon in person. Online will feature two episodes.


Screening Details

Credits

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