Films About Contact

The Changin’ Times of Ike White

2020 • 79’ • UK

Released in 1974, Changin’ Times was an extraordinary album recorded in extraordinary circumstances. The artist, Ike White, was a musical prodigy who was in prison since the age of 19, serving life for murder. Produced by legendary music producer Jerry Goldstein, the album became Ike’s ticket to freedom. But, on the cusp of stardom, Ike slipped out of the limelight, changed his name and disappeared. This is his story.

Director:
Daniel Vernon

Producers:
Vivienne Perry, Rachel Hooper

Co-producer:
Lana Gutman

Executive Producers:
Mark Bell, Patty Quillin, Jerry Goldstein, Alison Millar, Vesna Cudic

Cover of a book titled "The Changin' Times of Ike White" featuring a young man with curly hair playing an electric guitar against a background with musical notes and a map of the United States.

  • Royal Television Society NI Award
    — Best Documentary

    Camden International Film Festival 2019 [World Premiere]
    — In Competition

    SeeYouSound Film Festival 2020, Italy
    — Special Jury Award

    Valladolid Film Festival 2019
    DocNYC 2019
    Another Hole in the Head Festival 2019
    Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2020
    Glasgow Film Festival 2020
    Krakow International Film Festival 2020
    In-Edit Sao Paolo 2020
    MON · DOC Montaverner Documentary Film Festival 2020

  • “This is a one of a kind tale you just need to see… it isn’t what you expect (it wasn’t what I expected)… One of the absolute must sees at the Camden International Festival.”
    — Unseen Films

    "Endlessly fascinating. You can't make this stuff up."— The Hollywood Reporter

    "Not since SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN has there been a music documentary as surprising as THE CHANGIN’ TIMES OF IKE WHITE.”— LA Times

Filmmaker’s Biography

Daniel Vernon originally trained as a sculptor, but then fell in love with film. Making props was his ticket into the industry where he worked his way up to assistant Art Director on feature films, but was drawn to documentary. With the help of a BAFTA scholarship, he attended the UK’s NFTS and received an MA in Documentary Direction. He graduated in 2007 with a Distinction for his short film FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH, which won Best Short Film at the Hamptons International Festival. ​Daniel was awarded a BAFTA for his first BBC film, THE MAN WHO EATS BADGERS & OTHER STRANGE TALES FROM BODMIN MOOR. Since then he has gone on to make acclaimed and award-winning documentaries for the BBC, Channel 4, and Netflix.