Comedy news: American: Bill Hicks Story premiers at SXSW festival

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Bill Hicks was never short of plaudits during his life and posthumous accolades abound. From Rolling Stone to David Letterman, Bill Hicks has been recognised both in the U.S. and beyond as the comedian who took on the establishment with his vociferous outbursts against the mainstream attitudes towards religion, sex, drugs, race and politics in the U.S during the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. 

Yet one of the biggest mysteries of his life was how was never accepted as one of America’s major comedians by the public despite the raft of critical acclaim that he received.

Now a new documentary by two British filmmakers, Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas, have set out to resurrect the memory of Hicks as one of America’s truly great comedians. 

The new documentary, “American: The Bill Hicks Story”, which premiered at the South By Southwest festival (SXSW) – one of the world’s premier musical showcases held in Austin, Texas -  aims to tell the story of Hicks’ life in animated form, portraying the early Hicks.

According to Harlock the film, which was attended by the late comic’s mother and brother, has managed to portray the life of a comic who became frustrated at ‘not being given the recognition he deserved in the States’. 

Hicks passed away in 1994 after suffering from Pancreatic cancer.

No UK date for 'American: The Bill Hicks Story' has been released however you can read the following reviews of the film here:

Black Book magazine - review

San Antonio Express - review