The Chills: The Triumph and Tragedy of Martin Phillipps

synopsis

Martin Phillipps came tantalizingly close to conquering the international musical world with his band The Chills, but instead fell into decades of debt and addiction in his hometown of Dunedin, New Zealand. At 54, he's been given a dire medical prognosis, forcing him to face his demons and realize his musical ambitions before it's too late. This intimate portrait follows the eccentric Martin as he reconciles a lifetime's worth of curious collections, looks back on a catalogue of heavenly pop hits and reclaims his place in the iconic Flying Nun and Dunedin sound. With a startling sense of humor even in the blackest moments, we bear witness to one man's universal battle with the fear of failure and the jarring reality of his own mortality.