Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields

This intimate documentary charts Stephin Merritt's prolific career as a bedroom bard with idiosyncratic cult band The Magnetic Fields. Fans will delight in footage of early gigs, peeks backstage and hearing the usually reclusive songwriter talk about his craft – it's fascinating to discover that many of his melodious, soulful, wry tunes were written while listening to loud techno and Europop in New York’s gay bars. But the heart of the story – Merritt's relationship with school pal, manager, keyboard player and self-proclaimed fag hag Claudia Gonson – will intrigue and entertain even those unfamiliar with the band’s music.