Filmmaker PENELOPE SPHEERIS in Person!
THE DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION Part 1
Director Penelope Spheeris in person on Wednesday, November 2nd at 7:30 pm
Members $10 | Public $15 - Includes Reception
Poster proceeds benefit Hope for Youth (http://www.hfyny.org/).
Famed filmmaker Penelope Spheeris presents her groundbreaking 1981 documentary, the ultimate record of LA’s 80s punk subculture, featuring X, Circle Jerks, Black Flag, Fear, The Germs, and more!
The ultimate record of LA’s 80s punk subculture, The Decline of Western Civilization captured the essence of the scene, providing a front row seat to the mosh pits, violence, humor, and anti-establishment view of the world, as well as unparalleled access to some of the most influential and innovative musicians and groups of all time, including X, Circle Jerks, Black Flag, Fear, and The Germs. Largely unknown to the mainstream world at the time, many of the punk bands first seen here have become legendary. This time capsule of a singular moment in rock history is highly-celebrated and has been in demand for decades by fans worldwide. (USA, 1981, 100 min., English, R, DCP | Dir. Penelope Spheeris)
From her beginnings as a UCLA film student in the early 1970’s, director Penelope Spheeris had a reputation for unleashing edgy portraits of disenfranchised misfits on the fringe. She is an inspiring example of a filmmaker who has largely gone her own way in Hollywood, first achieving success with her ferocious, pioneering documentary of the Los Angeles punk scene, The Decline of Western Civilization, a film that’s spawned two equally fascinating sequels. Spheeris’ acclaimed punk odyssey Suburbia followed, as well as streetwise exploitation pictures like The Boys Next Door In 1992, she directed Mike Myers and Dana Carvey in Wayne’s World, their phenomenally successful spin off from “Saturday Night Live.”
