whynow music documentary Rebel Country to be shown on BBC2

It's official, our feature-length documentary Rebel Country is coming to BBC Two this Autumn, after its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival last year.

Directed by Francis Whately and produced by whynow Studios and BMG, the film explores a new breed of authentic stars who are rewriting the rules and challenging the culture of country music. Rebel Country explores the current tensions of race, class, poverty, gender, sexuality and creativity versus commerce and geography that are still prevalent in the United States today, while acknowledging their connection to Nashville’s rebellious roots.

Artists paving the way include Jelly Roll, Blanco Brown, Breland, Lindsay Ell, Brooke Eden and Lainey Wilson. The success of Rapper Lil Nas X and his 18-million-selling, country-inspired hit Old Town Road is emblematic of a seismic shift that is happening in US country music now, as is Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter album, which won Best Country Album at this year’s Grammy awards.

This documentary is an exploration of how art and music reflect the times we live in. It features archive footage from original rebels like Johnny Cash, contributions from some of country’s leading musicians and historians, and live performances, including Jelly Roll’s gig in a prison where he used to be incarcerated.

Credits
Rebel Country is directed by Francis Whately (David Bowie: Five Years, Dolly Parton: Here I Am). Executive producers are BMG, and Gabriel Jagger and Janet Lee (Basquiat: Rage to Riches, Keith Haring: Street Art Boy) for whynow Studios. Fremantle is handling worldwide sales.