On the Sly : In Search of the Family Stone
Michael Rubenstone, a first-time filmmaker, and Sly and the Family Stone super fan, sets out to find the band’s leader, the reclusive funk legend - Sly Stone. In doing so, he manages to make the most comprehensive documentary on the band to date, while also bringing Sly out of hiding for the first time since his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1993. Part road movie, part rock doc, ‘On the Sly’ follows Michael over the course of 10 years, across the US as he unearths the true story of the band and chronicles how a musical icon fell from grace. But will he ever get the chance to meet his hero? Is he still the man he set out to find in the first place? Hit the road and join the search!
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Michael RubenstoneDirector
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Michael RubenstoneWriter
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Michael RubenstoneProducer
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Pat SheehanProducer
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Michael RubenstoneKey Cast
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Cornel WestKey Cast
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Bobby WomackKey Cast
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Paul ShafferKey Cast
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Dick CavettKey Cast
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Michael WadleighKey Cast
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Michael LangeKey Cast
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Freddy StoneKey Cast
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Jerry MartiniKey Cast
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Greg ErricoKey Cast
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Cynthia RobinsonKey Cast
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David KapralikKey Cast
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George JohnsonKey Cast
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Project Type:Documentary, Feature
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Runtime:1 hour 22 minutes 20 seconds
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Completion Date:January 4, 2017
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Production Budget:50,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:HDV, Mini DV 24P
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
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Slamdance Film FestivalPark City, Utah
United States
January 25, 2017
World Premeire -
Edinburgh International Film FestivalEdinburgh, Scotland
United Kingdom
July 1, 2017
International Premiere
Michael Rubenstone is an actor/writer/director. His TV and Theatre credits include - TV: The Goldbergs, Grandfathered, Revenge, Happy Endings, The Mentalist, Common Law, Breaking In, Jericho, Private Practice. Michael’s theatre credits include End of the Rainbow (ICT Long Beach) The Skin of our Teeth (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Romeo and Juliet (Pittsburgh Public Theatre) Michael is a graduate of the University of Michigan. ‘On the Sly: In Search of the Family Stone’ is his directorial debut.
‘On the Sly : In Search of the Family Stone’ started as a simple idea. Why don’t I rent a camera and see if I can find my musical hero – Sly Stone. I hear he lives in L.A – I’ll go and find him. Easy, right? Hardly. I found out pretty fast that I had picked possibly the most difficult subject in the music industry. I didn’t know anything about making a film. I just knew that there was a story that needed to be told. Little did I know – it was not only Sly’s story – it was my own. ‘On the Sly’ was my film school. It took over 12 years to complete. It is a labor of love. It is independent filmmaking. It’s got music, suspense, drama, drugs, a rich history and cinematic poetry. I hope that this film shines a deserved light and new appreciation for the genius of Sly Stone’s music. I also hope that it sends a message to every young filmmaker that – you can make it, if you try.