Justin Timberlake says he was inspired to work with Silence of the Lambs director Jonathan Demme because a concert film by the film-maker changed his life.

The US music star joined Oscar-winner Demme on the red carpet at the premiere of his concert film, Justin Timberlake and the Tennessee Kids, at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The film, which is being released on Netflix, showcases Timberlake’s final Las Vegas concerts from his 20/20 Experience world tour in 2015.

At the premiere, the Sexyback singer hailed Demme as a “genius” and said the director’s landmark 1984 concert movie, Stop Making Sense, changed the way he wanted to see live music.

Timberlake said: “Quite literally Stop Making Sense changed my life. If I’ve seen it once, I’ve seen it a thousand times. It changed the way I wanted to see a concert.

“When this idea came up I said ‘let’s get the guy who made that’. It happened to be the guy who made Silence of the Lambs and also happened to be the guy who made Philadelphia, and all those fantastic Neil Young concert films.

Timberlake, 35, said he was initially unsure about making a concert film.

“Music streaming has changed the music industry. Now film streaming is changing the film industry and that’s exciting. It’s exciting to be a part of.”

Justin Timberlake and the Tennessee Kids will be available on Netflix from October 12.

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