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The new documentary Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band premiered in Toronto this week, giving fans an intimate look at the legendary rock band’s creative journey during their current world tour. Directed by Thom Zimny and narrated by Bruce Springsteen himself, the film explores the deep bond between band members and their shared passion for music while also touching on personal challenges, including Springsteen’s reflections on age and mortality as he approaches his 75th birthday.
The film also reveals a poignant moment as Springsteen’s wife and fellow E Street band member, Patti Scialfa, discloses her diagnosis of multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. This revelation, alongside Springsteen’s own recent health challenges, including a peptic ulcer that caused the tour to be postponed, underscores the film’s focus on the passage of time and the realities of aging.
Longtime manager Jon Landau commented on the documentary’s unique perspective: “There’s a philosophical thing about someone who’s nearing 75 – mortality. The film captures that… It’s not just a genre film, it’s a Bruce film.” The film highlights Springsteen’s dedication to delivering genuine, soul-stirring performances, with Landau adding, “Every night is real. He puts his mind, body, and soul into the moment, and he believes that if he experiences it, the audience will too.”
The documentary juxtaposes rare footage of the band members in their youth with the present-day challenges of their first tour in six years. As Springsteen and the band perform across North America and Europe, the film captures their preparation for the massive, ongoing tour that is scheduled to continue until July 2025.
Springsteen, who turns 75 on September 23, has had an extraordinary career, selling over 140 million records worldwide and winning numerous awards, including 20 Grammys, two Golden Globes, and an Oscar for Best Original Song. He also received a special Tony Award for his Broadway show, which detailed his life and career.
Road Diary marks another collaboration between Springsteen and Zimny, who has worked with the rock icon for over 24 years, directing about a dozen films and 40 music videos. Zimny, who won an Emmy for Springsteen on Broadway, shared his excitement about the project: “They’re a garage band, but at the same time, they’re getting ready to conquer the world with this new tour… it’s very exciting to be a fly on the wall with it all.”
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