Garth Jennings' Pulp Documentary to Premiere on Mubi This Fall
Garth Jennings, renowned for films such as The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Sing, has directed a new motion picture chronicling the band Pulp's ascent from an obscure group to a cultural phenomenon. This film is scheduled for an exclusive premiere on Mubi later this year.
The global streaming platform and production company Mubi will release Pulp: What Do You Do for An Encore?, a cinematic endeavor described as reminiscent of the critically acclaimed concert films Stop Making Sense (1984) and Martin Scorsese's The Last Waltz (1978). The documentary integrates the meticulously choreographed stage performances from Pulp's most significant arena shows, part of their global tour supporting More—their first album in 24 years—with extensive archival footage spanning four decades. Frontman and celebrated British musician Jarvis Cocker provides the narration, and the film features twenty of the band's tracks.
This Mubi production, directed by Jennings and edited by Barney Pilling, known for his work on The Grand Budapest Hotel, serves as a tribute to Pulp, a band whose unique blend of irony, rebellious spirit, and incisive social commentary profoundly influenced a generation and characterized a pivotal era in British pop culture. Formed in Sheffield in 1978, Pulp rose to prominence in the mid-1990s with albums like His 'n' Hers and the Mercury Prize-winning Different Class, which topped the U.K. Albums Chart and featured their hit single "Common People." Alongside Oasis, Blur, and Suede, Pulp was recognized as one of the "big four" of Britpop. After releasing This Is Hardcore in 1998 and We Love Life in 2001, the band took a decade-long hiatus, having sold over 10 million records and headlined Glastonbury twice. They reconvened in 2011 for a series of festival appearances, and in 2025, they unveiled More, their first new album in nearly a quarter-century.
This film is not merely a chronicle of a band; it's a celebration of artistic perseverance and the power of music to capture the spirit of an age. It inspires us to appreciate the journey of those who dare to be different, reminding us that true originality often blossoms from unexpected beginnings, leaving an indelible mark on culture and inspiring future generations.
