John Cale: Beautiful Mistake

A 72-Minute Musical Documentary Film

"I think mistakes are what make you human" -- John Cale

John Cale. Legendary underground rock musician. Creative force, along with Lou Reed, behind The Velvet Underground. Producer of artists from Nico to Patti Smith; from The Stooges to Jonathan Richman, Brian Eno, Bobby Neuwirth, and Squeeze. Composer for such films as Heat, I Shot Andy Warhol, Something Wild and American Psycho.

Beautiful Mistake is John Cale, working in his native Cardiff with twelve bands over ten days, captured on film. Collaborating with artists like Catatonia, The Super Furry Animals, and James Dean Bradfield (of Manic Street Preachers). The result is a collection of haunting music unique to this film.

The show explores Cale's encounters with today's avant-garde, along with his incredible ability to weave together this new music with the traditional sounds of his native land. Echoing the legacy of Welsh mining, the sessions are filmed in the evocative atmosphere of the now-converted Coal Exchange. While the music reflects the spirit of Wales, we get a stunning look at the soul of Cardiff through montages showcasing the daily poetry of this great city.

Directed by Marc Evans and produced by Philip King (the Emmy-winning, Irish Music and America), Beautiful Mistake premiered at the Cardiff International Film Festival in November, 2000, and has played across the UK.

Artists and songs include John Cale performing with …