Come Worry With Us!: Thee Silver Mount Zion

Come Worry With Us!, released in 2013, is a compelling and intimate documentary film that offers an intricate look into the unique world of independent musicians, Thee Silver Mount Zion Memorial Orchestra. Directed by Helene Klodawsky, the movie stars real-life band members Thierry Amar, Efrim Menuck and Jessica Moss as themselves.

One of the key features of this critically acclaimed deep-dive into alternative music is its focus on the personal life and struggles of the band members. Primarily through the lens of powerful violinist Jessica and guitarist and vocalist Efrim, the film showcases the often-overlooked challenges and elations that mark the life of individuals striving to create and share their art while maintaining their personal principles and managing the demands of parenthood.

At the heart of Come Worry With Us! is the exploration of Jessica and Efrim's relationship, their quest for balance between their passion for music and their new role as parents to their son, Ezra. Each scene is a poignant reminder of the delicate tug-of-war between personal life and professional commitments, intensifying the human element of their story. The film captures the unique yet relatable situations they grapple with, including the complexities of touring with a toddler, transforming a tour bus into a makeshift nursery, or dealing with bout of guilt while performing on stage far from home.

It doesn't shy away from addressing the concerns that any new parent faces, but adds to it the layer of doing so while being part of a prominent band, touring, and managing their responsibilities not just as artists but as members of a band that has a unique and profound narrative. The audience gets an authentic view of the emotional turmoil and logistical complications packed into maintaining their unconventional lifestyle while raising a child.

The film emphasizes the band's thought-provoking lyrical compositions, choreographies, and ethereal stage performances, giving viewers a unique taste of their genre-defying music that seamlessly blends punk rock with chamber music elements. The raw energy, passion, and commitment to their craft are vividly captured on camera, serving as a testament to their unwavering dedication to artistic expression.

Come Worry With Us! also pulls back the curtain on the financial realities of independent musicians. The band’s struggle to maintain their anti-corporate stance while ensuring their livelihood and the future of their child is a significant part of their story, often forcing them to question the sustainability of their choices, and reflect on what authenticity means in the face of financial insecurity.

Director Helene Klodawsky does a commendable job of painting an authentic picture of Thee Silver Mount Zion’s struggle with non-traditional parenthood and dilemmas of the indie music scene. The director carefully uses techniques like intimate interviews, personal archives, and footage from tours, rehearsals, and concerts to construct the narrative. The film’s use of cinematography stands out in its ability to convey the band's raw energy on stage as well as the tender moments of familial bonding off stage.

The film successfully manages to maintain a balance between the personal and the professional, without compromising on the intimacy of the subjects or the gravity of the challenges they face. It stands out as a profound exploration of care, collective working, struggle, and musical integrity.

Through their journey, Jessica and Efrim, along with the other members of the band, provide insight into the dedication and sacrifices necessary to maintain authenticity in a world that often demands compromise. Their heartwarming and challenging journey serves as a testament to the undeniable power of love, music, and parenthood.

In conclusion, Come Worry With Us! is more than just a fascinating look into the lives of the members of Thee Silver Mount Zion Memorial Orchestra. It is also a vivid exploration of modern parenthood, professional commitment, and the constant juggling act that is life. It is a film that strikes a chord with not just fans of the band, but with anyone who appreciates good music, understands the struggles of working parents, and cherishes the beautiful unpredictability that life offers.