Over a decade ago, Texan band Dixie Chicks were known as the national-anthem-singing sweethearts of country music, only to advance to the top-selling female recording artists of all time – until the controversial anti-Bush comment made by lead singer Natalie Maines catapulted the band from the hall of fame to the hall of shame. During a concert at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire in 2003 – and shortly before President Bush’s planned invasion of Iraq – the Dixie singer announced, “Just so you know, we’re ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas!” Little did Natalie know that back home, her remark would spark a controversy resulting in the boycott of their music, cancellation of concerts, street riots and even death threats!

Now the Chicks are back with a vengeance, a sell-out tour and a new album titled ‘Taking The Long Way’. Produced by none other than Rick Rubin (who already helped re-launch the career of the late great Johnny Cash), their latest album sees a departure from country music and debuted straight at #1 on the Billboard charts.

However, it’s not just their new album that puts them firmly back on the map. A fascinating music-documentary called ‘Dixie Chicks: Shut Up & Sing’ is proof that the Chicks refuse to ‘learn their lesson’… Au contraire, the film tells the story of three musicians, mothers and American citizens who simply refuse to be silenced. Directed and produced by award-winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple and actress/filmmaker Cecilia Peck (daughter of Gregory Peck), ‘Shut Up & Sing’ follows the band from the peak of their popularity to their downfall and resurrection.
As befits the daughter of a Hollywood legend, I caught up with Cecilia Peck in the swank surroundings of London’s St.James’s Hotel, where she stays to promote her film during the London Film Festival. Tall, slender and attractive, with long dark hair and chiselled features, Cecilia turns out to be a genial, intelligent and grounded young woman - fearless to give her verdict on freedom of speech, country music and right-wing politics.

You acted in films like ‘Wall Street’ and ‘The Portrait’, which earned you a Golden Globe nomination. Will you focus on producing/directing from now on?

Well, I did an independent film last year, so hopefully I will always do some acting. But I had always wanted to tell stories as well, so I’m glad that my career has gone in both directions.

How did your collaboration with Barbara Kopple on ‘Dixie Chicks: Shut Up & Sing’ come about?

I started out learning documentary filmmaking with Barbara, stuff like research, pre-production, post-production and so forth. We’ve collaborated on various projects involving Human Rights and Women’s Rights issues for ten years now. I think that having a voice is so important, and the subject of our films often deals with finding out what inspires people to do the things they do. And with the Dixie Chicks you get that kind of courage to stand up for what you believe in, no matter what the cost.

Why the Dixie Chicks in particular?

We had approached the Dixie Chicks before singer Natalie Maines made her anti-Bush comment. At the time we approached them, they had already sold more than ten million copies of their albums, won several Grammy Awards and were at the absolute height of their career. When they set out on their 2003 world tour, tickets sold out faster than any other tour in history, so we were interested in that band and how they had risen to that level of popularity.

Was their popularity the main reason for approaching them, or are you a fan as well?

I’ve been a long time fan of the Dixie Chicks, they are incredible musicians, you know. Both Martie (Maguire) and Emily (Robinson) are virtuosos on their instruments, while in my opinion Natalie (Maines) has one of the most beautiful voices ever. But if you think that country music has a widespread appeal then yes, on one side it has a huge fan base… while on the other side this fan base is very narrow minded, conservative and patriotic – at least in the United States. So once the Dixie Chicks dared to step out of that box there was an enormous amount of anger towards them.

Do you feel the ensuing controversy surrounding the band was a direct result of the political climate of the time?

Yes. I feel this could not have happened under a different administration, because in this post-9/11 climate of fear our present administration encouraged the censorship of the voices of dissent, which is exactly what happened to the Dixie Chicks. Also, in the States we have those extremely right-wing internet hate-groups that organise campaigns to call the radio stations and protest against playing certain bands. Which has a big effect on the public, because by being banned on the radio a band will lose a lot of their fan base.

Had singer Natalie Maines made her anti-Bush remark not in 2003 but in 2005, for example, do you think the reaction would still have been as extreme?

No, I don’t think it would have been that extreme a reaction, but I believe that it took the courage of someone like Natalie to open the doors for anyone to speak out. If it wasn’t for her I’m not sure if someone else would have been as brave as she was. I mean, she said what a lot of others were thinking, which is “Why are we going into this war so quickly before there is any evidence of weapons of mass destruction?” I’m certain that in the long run, Natalie especially could not have lasted in the conservative, constrictive country music milieu, and well, she no longer does last.

Has your documentary been shown at American film festivals yet?

It was shown for the first time in public at the Toronto Film Festival to great applause, it won Best Documentary Award at the Aspen Film Festival and it won the Audience Award at the Chicago Film Festival, so that’s fantastic.

And has it been shown in Texas yet… ?

Well, interestingly enough there was a sneak preview in Natalie’s hometown the other night, which is a very conservative place. Of course, Natalie feels the locals have turned their back on her, but you know, to everyone’s surprise the film did incredibly well and was a huge success there!

Would your father have been supportive of your involvement with this project?

Absolutely. My father would have crusaded for the Dixie Chicks and their right for freedom of speech. He always made brave choices in his career. And he made an anti-war documentary opposing the war in Vietnam, although my older half-brother was a marine fighting in Vietnam during that time.

How do you personally feel about the President’s war policy?

Well look, I think that Bush’s administration and censorship-politics jeopardise the safety of our country and the whole world. One day, it will be looked upon as a shameful time in our history.