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The Decline of Western Civilization

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7.2/10 • 102

1981-07-011h 40m

DocumentaryMusic

See it in a theater.... where you can't get hurt.

The Los Angeles punk music scene circa 1980 is the focus of this film. With Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline, Circle Jerks, Fear, Germs, and X.

Directors
Penelope Spheeris
Writters
Penelope Spheeris
Editors
Charlie Mullins

Top Billed Cast

View Credits
  1. Eugene Tatu

    Eugene Tatu

    Self

  2. Alice Bag

    Alice Bag

    Self

  3. Claude Bessy

    Claude Bessy

    Self

  4. Dinah Cancer

    Dinah Cancer

    Self

  5. Exene Cervenka

    Exene Cervenka

    Self

  6. Lorna Doom

    Lorna Doom

    Self

  7. Darby Crash

    Darby Crash

    Self

  8. Don Bolles

    Don Bolles

    Self

  9. Philo Cramer

    Philo Cramer

    Self

Reviews1

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talisencrw Avatar

talisencrw

Jan 15, 2016

9/10

Though I both am neither a punk aficionado (I have seen X live in Detroit in 2008) nor an expert on Spheeris' films (I have seen and enjoyed both 'Wayne's World' and 'Little Rascals'), this was very satisfying. The energy and spirit of these rebellious youths really comes across well, and the clever assertion from one of the interviewees that punk is simply another form of folk and protest music, albeit with different instruments and at a faster speed, rings true. Though I'm not privy to the Los Angeles scene (I'm from Windsor, Ontario, for crying out loud), it appears to be quite an accurate depiction, although it doesn't seem to grab hold, perhaps, of the underground movement. Seeing this, I look forward to the latter two parts of the trilogy, and only wish over the years that Spheeris had expanded her sights, and made documentaries of other, vital, forms of music in L.A., such as folk, hip-hop, rap, jazz, classical, experimental, even soundtrack work for films, since Hollywood is right nearby, and as someone already part of the filmmaking scene, she would have had access to some of the greats of our time.

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  • The Decline of Western Civilization backdrop
  • The Decline of Western Civilization backdrop
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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$100,000.00
Revenue
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Keywords
nihilismself-destructionmidnight movieinterviewpunk rocklos angeles, californiasubculturepunk bandwoman directorteen rebellive musicdiy cultureunderground musicindependent cinemaslam dancing