Producer
Leopold Hoesch
Director
Jobst Knigge
Producerin
Anja Booth
Genre
Biography
Broadcaster
Broadview TV
Length
1 x 52'
Editor
Jakob Kastner
Year
2019
TOO Young TO DIE
Karen Carpenter

In the early 70s - the time of drugs, the Vietnam War and the Charles Manson murders - a brother and sister embodied the other, clean America as if from a picture book: the Carpenters. Their sound is miles away from contemporary rock: easy listening, silky harmonies, elaborate arrangements by Richard Carpenter, the rapturous vocals of his sister Karen. When the two of them signed a record deal with A&M Records, the best label in the USA at the time, Karen was just 19 years old. One year later they are already number one in the charts. 13 years later, at only 32, Karen Carpenter dies as a result of her anorexia. She is the first anorexia death of pop.

The documentary "TOO young TO DIE: Karen Carpenter - Longing for Life" looks at the success of the Carpenters and peers into the abysses behind the clean facade of the superstars. The story of Karen Carpenter, who would much rather play the drums because she is as gifted as her brother is at the piano, is the story of her constant struggle against everything and everyone. Against the overmother Agnes, with whom Karen still lives until she is 24 and who prefers her brother all her life. Against the brother, who finds it difficult to accept that Karen's extraordinarily beautiful voice is the decisive reason for the band's great success. And against the public that drove her into her eating disorder.

In addition to Karen's companions who remember her and talk about their times together, the film also features contemporary artists and authors who are still fascinated and inspired by her today.

 

First broadcast: Friday, 08.03.19, 21:45 - 22:40 on arte

TOO Young TO DIE: Karen Carpenter

In the early 70s - the time of drugs, the Vietnam War and the Charles Manson murders - a brother and sister embodied the other, clean America as if from a picture book: the Carpenters. Their sound is miles away from contemporary rock: easy listening, silky harmonies, elaborate arrangements by Richard Carpenter, the rapturous vocals of his sister Karen. When the two of them signed a record deal with A&M Records, the best label in the USA at the time, Karen was just 19 years old. One year later they are already number one in the charts. 13 years later, at only 32, Karen Carpenter dies as a result of her anorexia. She is the first anorexia death of pop.

Vimeo

Mit dem Laden des Videos akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von Vimeo.
Learn more

Video laden

More films