The pair discussed the mysteries of Don't Look Back, their new film Only the Strong Survive, and why they still love Bill Clinton.
Karen French: Do you both maintain an interest in current rock? Is there anyone around now you feel is sufficiently interesting and charismatic to make a Don't Look Back for the 21st century about?
DA Pennebaker: That's a tough one! People like that usually hide out. There are people around, but it's like where lightning strikes.
Chris Hegedus: I would love to do a film about a young, current, mesmerising performer - I'm not sure who that is! People usually come to us - like Bob Dylan's manager came to us and said, I've got this guy, you should make a film.
DAP: Michelle Vicilli? People who know the music biz, sometimes we film stuff for them. You encounter remarkable talents. Whether or not they'll make a classic film is hard to say.
Richard Baker: Do you feel the "fly on the wall" style you pioneered gives an entirely realistic and natural view of the people in your films, or do people inevitably still play to camera?
DAP: They do and they don't. It's like when you go to a party looking to score a date, do you try it with all the girls? People do it with the camera, like it's a face in the crowd. You know when people are playing to the camera and after a while you can figure it out and see the inner stuff.
CH: In The War Room, James is always playing to the camera. The War Room was perfect for him! Whenever he wanted to speak out he could tell his thoughts to everyone. Some people live their lives playing to the camera, but if the process is kept intimate - it's different. We film with small cameras, little mics - so we don't crowd people.
Ian T: The War Room is so optimistic about Clinton. Ignoring the scandals, were you disappointed by how his presidency progressed?
DAP: Not for a minute. We loved it and we still love him. He's one of the few humans who got into that place! The affair details didn't need to be publicised - I'm still a fan. He's an amazing person to have had as a president. Not what you'd expect. Over the years his work will prove to have been affective for this country.
Chris Wiegand: When can UK audiences expect to see Only The Strong Survive? And which soul stars will be profiled in the film?
CH: I'm not sure when - the world premiere is at Cannes in May. Wilson Pickett, Isaac Hayes, Sam from Sam and Dave, Mary Wilson from the Supremes, Jerry Butler, The Chi-Lites, Rufus and Carla Thomas will all feature in the music.
David Spear: Mr Pennebaker, is there any chance in the future of releasing Eat the Document in all its wild glory on DVD? I know many Dylan fans would be willing to shell out a pretty penny for that one!
DAP: Send a letter to Bob! It's not my decision. I'd like to see it released cos there's some fantastic performance stuff in it, but the deal I made with Bob let me shoot it, but it's up to him to release it.
Glenn Rice: While making doccos in the 60s, how difficult was it knowing you had to stay 'straight' to operate the camera around all the myriad of stoners?
DAP: I didn't have much time for that sort of activity myself! Sadly, everyone seemed to have a good time! If performers had to perform, they couldn't get too into that deviant nature! I didn't get into it, it kind of scared me, I didn't know what my attitude towards it should be.
CH: You were a little older though.
DAP: Yes. I could see that people were getting really into it but that they might have to pay for it later.
continued: It's a challenge to get films into the movie theatres
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