"Left Behind" - Various

Documentary Film

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Background Information

Larry Mullen Jr is listed as a producer and has contributed music to a new film, Left Behind, which debuted at the Woodstock Film Festival on October 18, 2024. The film is directed by Anna Toomey, and documents the struggle of kids with dyslexia in the New York City public school system, and a group of mothers who open New York City’s first public school for dyslexic students. The producers of the film are listed as David Beal, Sian Edwards Beal, Chris Farrell, Larry Mullen Jr., Mari Keiko Gonzalez and Chelsi Bullard.

Larry Mullen’s oldest son has dyslexia. At the film premiere at the Woodstock Film Festival Larry shared, “I showed it to my son and he was—moved. I felt that I needed to do something, just to express his rage at the way that he was treated. And I don’t want to overarch it and make it sound so emotional, but it is a big deal when you have a dyslexic child who has fallen through the cracks and, at 29, is still trying to find their way through it. So, the power of the film is that it gives hope that there are answers. If I had known then what I know now, I would have done things differently. Thankfully, my son has a sense of humor about failure and it does feel like failure.”

Two songs in the documentary are by Larry Mullen. The opening song, which repeats at the very end of the film is with vocalist Donna Lewis. The other song comes in over the credits at the end of the film and is with vocalist GAYLE. Mullen shared via press release, “It is a rare occasion when a film as compelling as this finds its way to you. Making the music through the eyes of my dyslexic son felt personal and visceral. I was honoured to have the opportunity to collaborate with GAYLE whose lyrics for ‘Between The Lines’ are some of the best I’ve heard in a long time.” GAYLE shares, “It was an honor to be asked to make a song for such an important issue and with such an iconic musician. This is a topic that affects my life and I’m so inspired to be a part of this project.”

Neither song has been released to streaming services or digital storefronts at this point. “Between the Lines” by Mullen and GAYLE, has been streamed on YouTube.

Coming up in November, the film will play at DOC NYC, and then in January will receive a wider release after a week-long engagement at QUAD Cinema in New York that begins January 17.

Liner Notes

Between the Lines:
Artist: Larry Mullen Jr. and GAYLE. Writers: GAYLE, Larry Mullen Jr., Reed Berin, David Baron. Producers: David Baron, Reed Berin, Larry Mullen Jr., GAYLE. Co-Producer: David Beal. Executive Producer: Chris Farrell. Recorded by: David Baron and Reed Berin. Assistant Engineer – Gillian Pelkonen. Mixed by: David Baron
GAYLE – Lead Vocal. Larry Mullen Jr. – Drums, Backing Vocals. David Baron – Piano and Organ. Gerry Leonard – Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar, Acoustic Guitar. Gail Ann Dorsey – Bass. Clap Ensemble – David Beal, Gillian Pelkonen, Don McAulay.

One of Us:
Artist: Larry Mullen Jr. and Donna Lewis. Writers: Larry Mullen Jr., David Baron.

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