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TRYON—On the evening of Thursday, April 3, a fascinating event featuring Bernard MacMahon, the writer and director of “Becoming Led Zeppelin,” alongside writer and producer Allison McGourty, attracted an audience of 200 local film and music lovers. This gathering not only highlighted the duo’s latest project but also served as a fundraiser for the upcoming 2025 Tryon International Film Festival.

The evening commenced with a warm reception from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Fitzgerald, allowing attendees to mingle before the main event. Guests then moved to the Tryon Theatre for a screening from 7 to 9:30, followed by a Q&A session from 9:30 to 10. For those wishing to continue the conversation, an afterparty at the Mirrorball Gallery capped off the night.

Beau Menetre, co-founder of the Tryon International Film Festival, expressed his enthusiasm for having the filmmakers return. “Bernard and Allison first visited in 2016 with “American Epic”, and we were thrilled to have them back as judges in 2018. Thanks to Scott Lane (Owner of Tryon Theatre), who ran into them overseas, we were able to bring them back for a pit stop to present their new film.”

Few bands provoke as much passion and intrigue as Led Zeppelin in a world filled with music documentaries. Throughout the evening, MacMahon and McGourty offered intriguing insights into their meticulous approach to creating the documentary, emphasizing their commitment to authenticity and in-depth research. 

“We didn’t just approach them with a pitch,” one filmmaker commented. “We spent nearly eight months scripting and compiling a detailed visual representation of their story.”

Their preparation took them deep into Led Zeppelin’s history. They sourced rare photographs and archival materials, aiming to reveal previously unseen perspectives of the iconic band. The filmmakers approached Led Zeppelin with respect and a vision rather than the typical sales pitch.

A pivotal moment occurred when the filmmakers reached out to guitarist Jimmy Page, striving to meet him without the inherent pressures of presenting their project. To their delight, upon meeting, they learned that Page had already seen their previous work and was supportive of their efforts. 

“It was incredible to meet him,” one filmmaker shared. “He was genuinely interested in what we were doing.”

Page further surprised the team by arriving with bags full of personal diaries and memorabilia from his early session musician days. “He was so prepared,” a filmmaker noted, recalling how Page brought out diaries from the early 1960s to illustrate his experiences.

The filmmakers prioritized screening it for Page, John Paul Jones and Robert Plant, who had given the filmmakers complete control to tell the story of their early years and the bands formation. They were also able to find a previously unreleased interview with drummer John Bonham, so viewers were able to hear from the entire band.

“We wanted to ensure it was a genuine portrayal of their journey,”  MacMahon explained. While the three musicians participated in discussions, they chose not to take a producing role, allowing the filmmakers complete artistic freedom. 

“This showed a lot about them as musicians,” he added. “They’ve turned down offers for 50 years but recognized the seriousness of our work and let us create the film we envisioned.”

The documentary highlights Led Zeppelin’s musical journey and emphasizes its members’ profound bond. Page, Jones, Bonham and Plant’s willingness to embrace new ideas through a collaborative spirit signifies a defining characteristic of their partnership.