Bruce Springsteen – red carpet
Toronto International Film Festival – September 14, 2010
Springsteen was in Toronto for the gala premiere, at Roy Thomson Hall, of the new film “The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story.” The movie documents the creation of the 1978 follow-up to “Born To Run,” which made Springsteen a household name.
Prior to the premiere, Springsteen took part in an hour-long Q&A session with actor Edward Norton, as part of the Film Fest’s “Mavericks” series. The conversation took place in front of a room full of Bruce fanatics, including some reportedly from as far away as Europe and the Far East.
“Darkness was an angry record,” Springsteen told Norton. “I took the 10 toughest songs I had. I didn't want something with a broader, more compassionate overview. That didn't feel right to me.”
Following the impact of Born To Run was a challenge, on many levels. “I had my first taste of success and I think you realize it’s possible for your identity to get co-opted,” said Bruce. “I decided that the key to that was maintaining a sense of myself, understanding a part of myself had been mutated. The world gobbles you up very quickly.”
“I was in search of a purposeful work life. I wanted to entertain. I wanted the pink Cadillac. I wanted the girls. And I also wanted what I needed most, which was a purposeful work life. That’s what we were in pursuit of.”
There was also something more personal at stake for Springsteen, the product of a working-class family. “Honoring my parents and their history and the people I knew. These things weren’t being written about.”
“I was interested in my sense of place and there was a narrative there," Bruce continued. “I wanted to tell that narrative. It was the beginning of a long narrative, a long conversation I’ve had with my fans that’s been one of the most valuable things in my life.”
Bruce Springsteen – The Promise: The Making of Darkness On The Edge Of Town (clip)
Bruce Springsteen - Darkness On the Edge of Town - Darkness On the Edge of Bruce Springsteen – Darkness On The Edge Of Town
From DVD: “Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band: Live In New York City”
MSG, NYC – 2000
