After two decades, the acclaimed Ozzfest documentary "We Sold Our Souls For Rock 'N' Roll," directed by Penelope Spheeris, is finally set to be released. Spheeris, renowned for her impactful trilogy "The Decline Of Western Civilization" and the hit movie "Wayne's World," confirmed the upcoming release in an interview with Canada's The Metal Voice.
The documentary, a vivid portrayal of the legendary Ozzfest tour, features iconic bands like Black Sabbath, Slipknot, Rob Zombie and System of a Down. Spheeris, who toured with the bands to over 30 cities, brings a unique perspective to the film, showcasing performances in landmark locations and offering rare backstage insights.
Despite its potential, the documentary faced a prolonged delay due to licensing and release issues. Sharon Osbourne, a key figure in the production, had previously discussed the challenges in finding an independent backer and securing the necessary music licensing. Despite these obstacles and personal setbacks for Spheeris, the film is now being hailed as a historical document of the 1999 Ozzfest.
Shot in the late 1990s, the 90-minute film includes exclusive interviews, live footage, and backstage scenes. It particularly highlights Black Sabbath, capturing what was then billed as their final performance in the United States.
The documentary was screened at various film festivals in the early 2000s, including Sundance and SXSW, and even won "Most Popular Documentary" at the Melbourne International Film Festival in 2001. Despite these accolades, a wide release remained elusive until now. The announcement of its release has been met with excitement from rock fans and film enthusiasts alike, eagerly awaiting this long-overdue glimpse into the world of Ozzfest.
View the unreleased @TheOzzfest 1999 movie “We Sold Our Souls for Rock ‘N’ Roll” featuring @BlackSabbath, directed by Penelope Spheeris https://t.co/63vaHa0Xpg pic.twitter.com/Tg7VnejQMH
— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) August 11, 2023
