"Taking Woodstock" is a 2009 film directed by Ang Lee, based on the memoir of the same name by Elliot Tiber and Tom Monte. The film tells the story of how Woodstock came to be held at Max Yasgur's farm in Bethel, NY, through the eyes of Elliot Tiber, the owner of the struggling El Monaco Motel.
The Film
The film stars Demetri Martin as Elliot Tiber, with Henry Goodman as Max Yasgur, Emile Hirsch as a Vietnam veteran, and Liev Schreiber as Vilma, a transgender security worker. Ang Lee brings his characteristic sensitivity to the material, focusing less on the concert itself (which is barely shown) and more on the human stories surrounding the event.
The story follows Elliot as he calls the Woodstock Ventures organizers after reading about their permit problems in Wallkill, NY, and suggests that his friend Max Yasgur might rent his dairy farm for the festival. What follows is the transformation of the White Lake community as hundreds of thousands of young people descend on the area.
The Book
Elliot Tiber's memoir, co-written with Tom Monte, is a colorful and personal account of the days leading up to Woodstock from Tiber's perspective. Tiber, who was gay and largely closeted at the time, describes how the arrival of the counterculture opened his eyes to possibilities for his own identity and life.
Michael Lang Was Played by Jonathan Groff
Actor Jonathan Groff portrayed Michael Lang in the film, capturing the young producer's visionary confidence that helped make Woodstock a reality despite the seemingly impossible obstacles.