'The Greatest Night in Pop' Director on Turning the Making of "We Are the World' into a Heist Movie

In telling the story of how Lionel Richie helped get together all the biggest pop stars in the world to record "We Are the World," director Bao Nguyen said he wanted to shape the documentary like a heist movie. Nguyen dropped by the IndieWire Studio at Sundance to talk about getting Richie, Bruce Springsteen, and more for the doc.

[@reinemazidath5466]

Such a great producer , that watw documentary is brillant .

[@hieutv8350]

Brilliant documentary Bao Nguyen! Brought that night almost 40 years ago back to life. Getting the backstory of what happenned, who showed up, and how it happened as other worldly. Favorite parts were Bob Dylans arch, Cyndi Lauper's solo part and how she got all insecure thinking the other artists were laughing at her voice, but it was her jewelry that was making the noise and lastly Huey Lewis sharing how nervous he was filling in for Prince as he had a 3 part harmony with Kim Carnes & Cyndi. Lastly, seeing Lionel, Michael & Quincy stay calm, cool and collected the entire time was inspiring for me to always keep my cool no matter who is around,. Loved it.

[@somerset8088]

It would be difficult to make a We Are the World today not because of logistical problems but because most of the pop singers today need auto-tune lol it’s too bad that there wasn’t footage of Ray Charles like they had in The Making of We Are the World documentary that was released along with the video and narrated by Jane Fonda (it’s still posted on KZbin). He brought so much joy when he recorded his vocals!

[@TexasMijita]

Spoiler: ‘85 video not included in Netflix doc.

[@somerset8088]

Nguyen used A LOT of footage from the ‘85 We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song documentary, everything from Q’s leave your ego sign and Geldof’s Ethiopia speech to the artists’ impromptu Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) for Belafonte to all the footage of the solo, “bridge people,” and chorus parts.

[@TexasMijita]

@@somerset8088don’t misunderstand. Loved the doc but throughout seemed to be building towards crescendo ending w the video. Did search KZbin to view afterwards. One question. Why’d Dan Ackroyd get an invite?

[@sunnydennison3302]

This is such watercooler talk. Loved the documentary. Sometimes I'm scratching my head at this director, bc he's old enough to know better with some of his comments and some of the digs in the dvd. I.E. Prince winning over MJ at the AMAS 1985. Ummmm the year before MJ made history with his 7 awards. Plus whoever dissed Prince withe album of the year award. "I'm suprised" as in MJ should have won that one.... Politics lol. Madonna should have been there, but would she have "Caused a Commotion" if she didn't get a part???? I'm too young to know how big she was at that year vs. Cindy... Seemed more sexist, unless she was problematic back then and no one wanted toxic there... Hmmmm great doc though watch the dvd as well

[@Sam7my1ed]

And still nothing on why they actually did that to Madonna.