Filmmakers Frank Marshall and Nigel Sinclair have made a documentary, "Pete Townshend: Behind Blue Eyes," about The Who guitarist's turbulent attempt to follow up "Tommy" with an ambitious science-fiction rock opera called "Lifehouse," a project that nearly broke him and the band in 1971. Townshend cooperated fully with the film, which the directors say resonates now because its themes about technology and human connection have become newly relevant more than 50 years on. The documentary is heading to several autumn film festivals as a sales title, with backers hoping to secure a distributor and a place in this year's awards season.

The film was produced by Kennedy Marshall Documentaries, White Horse Pictures and VICE Studios, and is presented by Sobey Road Entertainment alongside Spirit Music Group, Polygram Entertainment and Trinifold Management. Marshall and Sinclair conducted two days of interviews with Townshend, who discussed how "Lifehouse's" perceived failure nonetheless produced classic songs including "Baba O'Riley," "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "Behind Blue Eyes," and ultimately shaped the acclaimed album "Who's Next." The directors said the process revealed Townshend's intellectual, art-school background and the duality between his rock-star persona and his identity as a writer, as well as links between his childhood experiences and the character of Tommy.