In the forthcoming documentary, No Escape from Now, Ozzy Osbourne isn’t just reflecting on his phenomenal career as a metal god; he’s confronting his own mortality, his memory, and the music. Director Tania Alexander, a BAFTA winner, captures the rock legend dealing with devastating health setbacks,reconciling with friends and family, and preparing for his farewell concert.
The documentary captures Ozzy’s journey from the gritty streets of the industrial English town of Birmingham to international fame and fortune as the pioneering face of heavy metal.However, instead of just highlighting the key moments in the life of the Prince of Darkness, Alexander focuses on his vulnerabilities, his battle with Parkinson’s disease, and other tragic obstacles.
The film portrays a man struggling to maintain his connection to music and his fans.
The Struggle Behind The Legend
In the documentary, which was made in collaboration with Ozzy’s wife, Sharon Osbourne, and their children, Aimee, Kelly, and Jack, the family discusses Ozzy’s 2019 fall that led to him canceling his planned two-year farewell tour. The film chronicles Ozzy’s chronic pain issues, his rocky road to recovery, and his diagnosis and struggles with Parkinson’s disease.
It illustrates how Ozzy’s physical struggles affected his mental health and how those issues influenced the lyrics of his final studioalbum. The film also provides an inside glimpse of Ozzy in the studio with the musician Post Malone, who is 46 years younger than Ozzy was, and how this collaboration proved to be great medicine for Ozzy’s mental state.
Music, Family, And Farewell
The film also looks at Ozzy’s decision to play the now legendary farewell concert Back to the Beginning, which occurred just over two weeks before his death at the age of 76. No Escape from Now, however, was not intended to be a posthumous film. As it turns out, the film is a testament to Ozzy’s determination to connect with his fans one last time.
In addition to the Osbourne family, the documentary includes interviews with Black Sabbath bandmate Tommy Iommi, Ozzy’s longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde, Slash and Duff McKagan from Guns N’ Roses, Metallica’s James Hetfield and Robert Trujillo, Billy Idol, Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, Maynard James Keenan from Tool, and Alice in Chain’s Mike Inez.
After the emotional farewell concert in Birmingham, No Escape from Now stands as a touching tribute and an inside look at the man who was the first face of heavy metal.
Ozzy Osbourne