Slamdance Film Festival 2010

Song Sung Blue is the alternately inspiring and tragic love story of Lightning & Thunder, a homegrown Milwaukee husband & wife singing duo who pay tribute to the music of Neil Diamond. For Mike and Claire Sardina, aka Lightning & Thunder, dreams are the fuel and music the engine of life. Song Sung Blue goes behind the curtain with this brave couple, from their humble beginnings over 20 years ago to the threshold of fame, from disaster to rebirth through to the final chapters in the lives of these authentic American dreamers.

"The true and truly unforgettable story of Lightning (Neil Diamond impersonator Mike Sardina) and his wife Thunder (aka Claire, who can belt out a Patsy Cline tune with the best of 'em). Based in Milwaukee and decked out in sequins, Lightning and Thunder were a local Midwest phenomenon. Heartfelt, honest and in love with the stage and each other, they make you want to quit your day job and run to the karaoke bar where you can be a three-minute crooner yourself. Before our eyes their careers bloom, their fan base grows and they rock out in front of 30,000 happily pickled fans. Then a freak accident changes everything and thus begins the emotional rollercoaster of the film. With intimate footage thoughtfully and respectfully shot by the filmmakers, as well as personal home movies from Lightning and Thunder, the filmmakers paint a horrifying, tragic and heartbreaking portrait of a family dealing with disappointment, addiction and pain. The filmmakers' use of Lightning's confessional video journals, as well as their unbelievable access, result in some of the most raw, candid, truthful in-the-moment moments you'll ever see in a documentary. SONG SUNG BLUE is a riveting, sometimes happy, sometimes hilarious, oftentimes difficult watch. And though it doesn't have your typical Hollywood ending, the film circles around in a very satisfying, bittersweet manner. As in, don't forget to bring your kleenex. "

- Casey Suchan, Programmer

Slamdance 2008 Documentary Competition Presented by Langley Productions