He values his privacy and is most comfortable around familiar faces and people who have earned his trust.
I didnt want it to be a pure documentary.
It has Bruce in voiceover, Zimny tells Deadline.
Steven Van Zandt (left) and Bruce Springsteen in ‘Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’Hulu/Courtesy Everett Collection
All these elements are tools to tell a story.
I let the film tell me that in the cutting room, Zimny says.
The arena trek would mark the first time Springsteen and the E Street Band had performed together since 2017.
(L-R) Steven Van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen, Thom Zimny, and Jon Landau attend the premiere of ‘Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’ during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.Cindy Ord/Getty Images
Recorded during the pandemic, the LP features cover tunes steeped in R&B and classic soul.
Thematically, it reflects the uncertainty of that point in time.
This record was specifically about mortality, says Van Zandt.
Thats our reputation, and we had to confirm we maintain that at all times.
As he did with Zimny, Springsteen took a somewhat hands-off approach to getting the band up to speed.
The E Street Band basically produce themselves, Van Zandt explains.
We tend to fall into our parts rather naturally.
Bruce is going to have a comment here or there, but Bruce has to think about other things.
Hes thinking about the big picture.
Van Zandt says its the first time the entire process has been captured on camera.
Theres this magical thing that happens that I wantedRoad Diaryto capture, which is the power of E Street.
I hope it comes across.
Zimny will be with them, documenting the tour.
Im thrilled that the bands going to be doing more shows down the road.
And Im always grateful to just be a guest, says the filmmaker.
God, its been 24 years.
And each time, I never know what to expect.
