Eels Documentary Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives Makes Its BBC Debut

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The documentary Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives aired on BBC4 two nights ago. The film follows Mr. E of the band Eels as he seeks to uncover information about his late father. E (real name Mark Everett) and his father, physicist Hugh Everett III had a very distant relationship. Everett was the father of an idea (in addition to Mr. E, of course): the many worlds theory. It's pretty complicated stuff, but the core focuses on the idea that each outcome to every possible event defines in its own parallel universe. You can read about it here if you're so inclined.

But at the heart of the documentary is the story of Everett and his father. Critics across the pond have applauded the documentary for its intense emotion and the taste with which the legacy of this important physicist is treated. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that those of us in the US of A will get to check out this documentary unless it gets released to DVD, syndicated to another station or put online. We'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, you can read Mr. E's personal reflections on making the film here.

(April Wright)

Mr. E Makes A Movie

Download: Eels - "Fresh Feeling"
Download: Eels - "Hey Man (Now You're Really Living)"

Back in July, Mr. E. announced that he was writing a book about his life, entitled Things The Grandchildren Should Know. The book is due out in 2008.

Now, he has announced that the BBC has made a documentary about Mr. E, born Mark Oliver Everett, and his father, Hugh Everett III. The senior Everett, a physicist, was the mastermind behind the many worlds theory. I had no idea.

The film, Parallel Universes, Parallel Lives, will commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the famous theory, and will feature Mr. E. learning more about his father. There is no release date for the film yet.

(April Wright)