"If the remaining ex-Beatles had any guts, they’d seek out von Sneidern to produce, co-write and participate in a Beatle’s reunion. The guy is that good."

-Michael Goldberg, SF Chronicle, 1998

An Upstate New York teenager heads to California to play Rock n Roll. 20 years later, despite critical acclaim and 12 albums, he continues to play small clubs and is little known outside small pockets of fans around the world.

In 2004, filmmaker Kathleen McNamara heard Chris play at Bruno’s nightclub & restaurant. She was so taken aback by what she heard, she decided to try to find out Why Isn’t Chris von Sneidern Famous? Filmed over four years in San Francisco, Syracuse NY and the western United States, this feature length documentary looks at the rocky road for those seeking success through the experiences of this one artist.

The film is structured around roughly six sit-down interviews that show the relationship and trust that gradually develops between the flattered, but reluctant, subject and novice filmmaker. In these intimate interviews and small club performances, the audience watches as Chris’ initial excitement for the film turn to deep reservations as the documentary process reveals more and more about his struggling career path. As he grows increasingly uncomfortable, Chris looks back through the lens at the filmmaker and audience, questioning our assumptions about fame and success.

These interviews are complimented by conversations with fellow musicians (including John Wesley Harding and Peter Straus formerly of The Dwarves), music critics, producers, girlfriends, and family members who contribute their stories and theories on Chris’ career and the challenges of balancing art and career in an industry in flux.

At midpoint, Chris’ mom, Sandra, is diagnosed lung cancer, which takes Chris to Syracuse on a rare trip home. In a duo interview, we witness their deep affection and her advocacy of his independence, until it resulted in his abrupt escape from home and move to California. After her death three months later, Chris reads excerpts from her diaries where he discovered her deep depression following her diagnosis which opens Chris to a new understanding about himself and his work.

A primary motif is Chris‘ music-well crafted, brainy pop songs in a traditional mode, with forays into truly eccentric material. Why Isn’t Chris von Sneidern Famous? blends an extraordinary pop soundtrack and intimate interviews into a poignant, humorous and revealing story of an artist struggling to make sense of his life’s work.

If you give us your email address, we'll keep you up to date about what's happening (but only when it's something important, and we promise not to share your information with anyone.)

Click the link for more info on the people involved in making the film.

Directed & Produced by Kathleen Mcnamara
Executive Producer Kent Jenkins
Co-producers Nathan Brennan, Lise Swenson
Cinematography Lise Swenson, Keith McNamara
Editors Eric Ladenburg, Jesse Spencer
Location Sound Bob Whitfield, Kimetha Vanderveen
Post Production Sound James LeBrecht

Music Chris Von Sneidern

"Watching your film, I started thinking about my own struggles for recognition and success. What is success? Is it how other people see me or is it just about how I see myself? At the end of the day, I think Chris is successful because he gets to do what makes him happy, whether other people like it or not."

"Maybe he’s more interesting because he’s not famous…and how he learns to deal with that."

-Preview audiences

Here's your chance to own a copy of the film, including the unique DVD extras (see Chris von Sneidern and John Wesley Harding make up a song on the spot, for instance.)