CinemaOSMovie · 2014 · 1h 17m · NR

The Past Is a Grotesque Animal

55%(10)IMDbDocumentaryMusic

A personal, accessible look at an artist - Kevin Barnes, frontman of the endlessly versatile indie pop band of Montreal - whose pursuit to make transcendent music at all costs drives him to value art over human relationships. As he struggles with all of those around him, family and bandmates alike, he's forced to reconsider the future of the band, begging the question - is this really worth it?

Directed byJason Miller

Play
Status
Released
Runtime
1h 17m
Language
EN
Released
June 15, 2014
Budget
$100
Studios
OscilloscopeWrecking CrewPolyvinyl Records Co.

Watch the

Trailers & teasers

1 video
THE PAST IS A GROTESQUE ANIMAL - Official Theatrical Trailer (HD)-Oscilloscope Laboratories

THE PAST IS A GROTESQUE ANIMAL - Official Theatrical Trailer (HD)-Oscilloscope Laboratories

Featuring

Cast & crew

9 credited
Starring

Dottie Alexander

Self

Derek Almstead

Self

David Barnes

Self

Kevin Barnes

Self

Nina Barnes

Self

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe

Self

Solange

Solange

Self

Susan Sarandon

Susan Sarandon

Self

Jon Brion

Jon Brion

Self

Creative team
Directed by
Jason Miller
Written by
Jason Miller
Andrew Napier
Andrew Napier

Keep watching

More like this

Yesterday Was Everything

Yesterday Was Everything

2016 · Film

Baldiga: Unlocked Heart

Baldiga: Unlocked Heart

2024 · Film

Jesus Christ Saviour7.1

Jesus Christ Saviour

2008 · Film

Paint Until Dawn: a documentary on art in the life of James Gahagan

Paint Until Dawn: a documentary on art in the life of James Gahagan

2020 · Film

Eric Carle, Picture Writer: The Art of the Picture Book

Eric Carle, Picture Writer: The Art of the Picture Book

2011 · Film

Billy Connolly: Portrait of a Lifetime6.0

Billy Connolly: Portrait of a Lifetime

2017 · Film

All About Yves Montand7.5

All About Yves Montand

2021 · Film

The Dance Exponents: Why Does Love?7.5

The Dance Exponents: Why Does Love?

2017 · Film

Descent Into the Maelstrom: The Untold Story of Radio Birdman6.0

Descent Into the Maelstrom: The Untold Story of Radio Birdman

2017 · Film

Marvin Gaye - Visionär des Soul7.0

Marvin Gaye - Visionär des Soul

2026 · Film

Cliff: A Portrait of an Artist4.0

Cliff: A Portrait of an Artist

2021 · Film

L'Histoire secrète des Inconnus, le doc événement6.3

L'Histoire secrète des Inconnus, le doc événement

2024 · Film

Jacques Villeret, drôlement tragique6.3

Jacques Villeret, drôlement tragique

2025 · Film

David Against Goliath1.0

David Against Goliath

2023 · Film

Jack Kerouac's Road: A Franco-American Odyssey8.5

Jack Kerouac's Road: A Franco-American Odyssey

1987 · Film

Blues Brothers 20005.3

Blues Brothers 2000

1998 · Film

Interview Record of New Artists

Interview Record of New Artists

2026 · Film

Picked for you

Recommended movies

Supersonic7.4

Supersonic

2016 · Film

The Last Waltz7.7

The Last Waltz

1978 · Film

The Last Repair Shop7.5

The Last Repair Shop

2024 · Film

Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition8.5

Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition

2026 · Film

Whitney7.3

Whitney

2018 · Film

Miss Americana7.8

Miss Americana

2020 · Film

Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/207.2

Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20

2022 · Film

Selena y Los Dinos: A Family's Legacy8.9

Selena y Los Dinos: A Family's Legacy

2025 · Film

Daft Punk Unchained7.2

Daft Punk Unchained

2015 · Film

20 Feet from Stardom7.2

20 Feet from Stardom

2013 · Film

David Byrne's American Utopia7.5

David Byrne's American Utopia

2020 · Film

The Beatles: Get Back - The Rooftop Concert8.0

The Beatles: Get Back - The Rooftop Concert

2022 · Film

The Devil and Daniel Johnston7.7

The Devil and Daniel Johnston

2006 · Film

Sidney6.9

Sidney

2022 · Film

My Mom Jayne8.0

My Mom Jayne

2025 · Film

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams7.8

Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams

2018 · Film

Heart of a Dog6.5

Heart of a Dog

2015 · Film

Marvel's Behind the Mask7.0

Marvel's Behind the Mask

2021 · Film

Music by John Williams8.0

Music by John Williams

2024 · Film

The Greatest Night in Pop7.9

The Greatest Night in Pop

2024 · Film