Eat That Question: Frank Zappa In His Own Words

Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words is a vividly insightful and thoughtfully compiled 2016 documentary about the life, travels, ideas, and musical journey of one of the twentieth century's most audaciously creative, endlessly inventive, and iconoclastic artists in the entertainment industry – Frank Zappa. Directed by Thorsten Schütte, the film features appearances by Frank Zappa himself, Steve Allen, and Angel, thereby taking the art of reading a man through his works to an unrivalled level.

Focused predominately on a comprehensive catalogue of interviews, performances, and television appearances, Schütte has ingeniously used this unique archival footage to weave a picturesque cinematic tapestry that portrays Zappa’s private and public life. This approach allows the audience to see the two sides of Zappa: the unflinchingly avant-garde musician, and the fiercely individualistic free-thinker.

Watch Zappa's cosmic collision with mainstream media, as he drops thought-provoking comments about his unique music style, aspirations, and the blurring lines between politics, the entertainment industry, and popular culture. Zappa, who rarely gave interviews, is shown here in unreleased footage as well as conversations from TV shows across Europe and the United States, revealing his novel ideas, humor, and personal philosophy.

Unlike other typical rock documentaries, Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words is a delectable treat that is void of third party reflections and contributions. There are no talking heads nor biographer’s voiceovers. Schütte's documentary instead prioritizes Zappa’s music, allowing it to serve as the primary lens through which we understand, appreciate, and marvel at his experimental genius. This way, the film is able to resonate with Zappa's deep contempt for the conventional, the mediocre, and the mainstream facets of music and culture.

The film begins with Zappa's earliest appearances on national television, underlining his disapproval of the commercialization of music and its immobilizing influence on creative freedom. As we move forth, we see his encounters with a prim and confused Steve Allen, stirring dialogue at a Czechoslovakian fan convention, and his candid exchanges with various media identities who attempt, often unsuccessfully, to box him into prevailing tropes of pop culture.

Schütte masterfully unfurls the musician's complex persona layer by layer, capturing a compelling portrait of a man who was widely known but little-understood. Through his music and interviews, we see Zappa's unyielding stance on the importance of artistic freedom, his distaste for normalcy, and his passionate advocacy against censorship in art, which makes the film not only a historical document of a departed legend but also a resonating echo of ideas that are fiercely relevant today.

Audiences will also be treated to musical performances that amplified Zappa's standing as a transformative performer, including his groundbreaking orchestral compositions performed with the London Symphony Orchestra. Zappa's musical genius, his raw passion, and his uncompromisingly eccentric spirit are illuminated throughout these performances.

Decades after his death, Zappa's distinct voice and his exceptional musical footprint remain as relevant and influential as ever. This movie only amplifies that impact, presenting an intricate exploration of the man who dared to push the boundaries of music and societal norms and was both celebrated and reviled for it.

Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words serves as an engaging tête-à-tête with the icon, allowing us to walk away with a multidimensional understanding of this multi-faceted man, who was as much a musician, as he was a thinker. Whether you are a seasoned Zappa aficionado or a curious onlooker, this film promises to be an enlightening experience that leaves you pondering long after the credits roll. It does more than tell you about who Frank Zappa was. It vividly shows you.