A new documentary about The Libertines co founder Pete Doherty is set to premier at September’s Zurich Film Festival. Titled Stranger In My Own Skin, the film is directed by the singer’s wife, Katia deVidas and will delve into the star’s life and struggles.
At the 19th Zurich Film Festival’s Sounds section, musician Peter Doherty will present the World Premiere of PETER DOHERTY: STRANGER IN MY OWN SKIN. In addition to this highlight, the Sounds section offers even more music film screenings: https://t.co/48VgjSWH37 pic.twitter.com/qYRRxVusfd
— Zurich Film Festival (@zurichfilmfest) August 29, 2023
Stranger In My Own Skin will be presented by Doherty and feature a live performance during the Zurich Film Festival which runs from the 28th of September through to the 8th of October. The film will document the singer’s rise to fame with the band The Libertines but also feature the drug addictions that plagued Doherty’s career, causing lengthy absences away from the band and legal troubles.
The film will debut at the festival as part of the Sounds section, launching last year, and examines subject matter with a musical theme or soundtrack. Stranger In My Own Skin will premier alongside various other films centred around music, including a biopic on Anita Pallenberg, Catching Fire-The Story Of Anita Pallenberg.
Speaking about the premier of the documentary, Zurich Film Festival artistic director Christian Jungen said, “the biopic chronicles the British rock star who, after reaching the pinnacle of his career, sinks into the depths of a serious drug addiction. His wife, director and musician Katia deVidas, followed the wild life of The Libertines frontman at close quarters for over 10 years. We’re looking forward to welcoming them both to Zurich.”
The documentary follows the 2022 release of Doherty’s memoir A Likely Lad, chronicling the musician’s frank and honest experiences with the turbulent aspects of his career. The memoir offers an intimate look at Doherty’s self-destructive behaviours, addictions and stint in prison due to the burglary of fellow Libertines musician Carl Barat’s house.
Doherty formed The Libertines with Barat in the late 1990s in London and gained world-wide success in 2002 with the release of their debut album, Up The Bracket. Doherty himself quickly rose to prominence within the band, with scores of critics praising the frontman for his song-writing abilities. Continuing addiction to drugs caused much friction within the band and led the other members to remove Doherty on more than one occasion.
Although the band officially went on hiatus in 2004, while Doherty sought treatment for his addiction, The Libertines reformed at various times throughout the years, remaining active and releasing an album (their last to date), Anthems For Doomed Youth in 2015.
In between his time with The Libertines, Doherty also formed the band Babyshambles, releasing three studio records and Pete Doherty And The Puta Madres-formed by Doherty and members of his touring band. The band has released a single eponymous studio album in April of 2019.
Doherty will be performing a handful of shows in France this autumn. Tickets can be found here. You can purchase his book here.
Pete Doherty Tour:
30/09/2023 – Theatre Alexandre Dumas – Saint-Germain–en-Laye, France
17/10 – Olympia – Arcachon, France
21/10 – Grande Salle, Chateau Rouge – Annemasse, France
22/10 – La Cooperative de Mai – Clermont-Ferrand, France
23/10 – La radiant-Bellevue – Caluire et Cuire, France
25/10 – 6MIC – Aix-en-Provence, France
26/10 – La Belle Electrique – Grenoble, France
27/10 – Le Bikini – Ramonville St Agne, France
