Attempting to present the human side of 1960s folk music icon and civil rights symbol, Joan Baez, characterized by Karen O’Connor her new documentary ‘Joan Baez: I Am a Noise’.

The documentary, which is also directed by Miri Navasky and Maeve O’Boyle combines Joan Baez’s music, artwork, photographs, family videos with her recordings and interviews to tell the fascinating story of the 82-year-old singer-songwriter’s life, career and legacy.

The film, which opened in US cinemas on Friday, follows the singer on tour at the age of 79 and features her looking back on relationships and political issues that shaped her.

“We had the opportunity to delve into Joan’s life in an immersive way,” said Karen O’Connor, who has been a friend of the singer for many years and has been able to access a trove of archival material.

“In terms of the archive, there was a huge amount of material.. It was a lifetime, 60-plus years of music, activism, all of that and the personal archive. It was incredible,” said the director and producer in the magazine of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

He also mentioned that natural light was used in all the interviews. “Even at concerts, we’re not trying to show a concert film, so we’re next to the stage, backstage or in the dressing room. Our idea was to be with Joan on the road and at home,” he said, emphasizing that some scenes wouldn’t exist if he didn’t have the relationship he has with Joan Baez.

The film reveals little-known facts about the life of one of the most famous voices of the protest movement of the 60s and the singer who helped launch the career of Bob Dylan.

“It’s an intense and funny film… Joan has been through a lot, she’s incredibly honest about everything, and she’s come out on the other side with a kind of peace. Without it being melodic or sentimental, you want to feel that light and energy,” he emphasized.