If you really can’t stand Christmas jingles, the Barbican might just have the solution.
This December the Barbican is showing a selection of punk rock-flavoured films, which showcase everything from a teenage Björk to GG Allin and the Murder Junkies. Films include the digital restoration of 1982 Icelandic documentary Rock in Reykjavík, featuring live performance footage of Björk back in her Tappi Tíkarrass days, Bruce LaBruce’s cult classic No Skin Off My Ass and Rock ’n’ Roll High School which stars The Ramones.
Details from the press release below:
Rock in Reykjavík (15*) (Iceland 1982 Dir Friðrik Thór Friðriksson 83 min)
Tue 1 Dec 8.45pm, Cinema 3
Shot during the winter of 1981-82, Rock in Reykjavík is a fascinating document of the bustling alternative music scene that was emerging from Iceland at the early part of the decade. Director Friðrik Thór Friðriksson combines live performances and interviews from key bands from the era including Tappi Tíkarrass, Egó,Vonbrigdi and Purrkur Pillnikk as they discuss politics, punk and growing up against the establishment. Capturing the zeitgeist, this documentary remains a thrilling and spirited record of the Icelandic music scene.
No Skin Off My Ass (18*) (Canada 1991 Dir Bruce LaBruce 82 min)
Wed 2 Dec 8.45pm, Cinema 3
Canadian filmmaker and artist Bruce LaBruce directs and stars in this cult classic as a punk hairdresser who becomes obsessed with a young skinhead. After spotting the skinhead in the park near his home, the hairdresser invites him to his apartment, gives him a bath and takes him captive. Shot in black and white with a range of jarring camera angles this is a stylised and incredibly graphic look at two punks in love.
GG Allin and the Murder Junkies (18*) (US 1993 Dir Todd Phillips 55 min)
Wed 16 Dec 8.45pm, Cinema 3
A wild, polarising soul, there’s never been a punk quite like GG Allin. Onstage exposure, violence and coprophagia were hallmarks of his incendiary live performances. Detested by critics but beloved by a core, cult audience, this controversial documentary mixes concert footage and interviews with Allin and his wider circle, placing him in the 1980s. Allin is a fascinating figure: genuinely christened ‘Jesus Christ’ by his parents, he suffered an abusive upbringing and a chaotic adolescence, finally finding expression in the hard core punk scene. This film is a record of his energy and utter disregard for authority; absolutely fearless and completely unique.
Rock ‘n’ Roll High School (15*)
Thu 17 Dec 6.45pm, Cinema 3
After driving their last principle to a nervous breakdown due to their love of rock ‘n’ roll music, the students of Vince Lombardi high school face a shock when stern new principle Miss Evelyn Togar arrives on the scene. Attempting to put a stop to the students’ unsavoury antics, she burns their records and confiscates Riff Randall’s (P.J. Soles) ticket to see her favourite band, The Ramones. In classic teen film style, the students take over the school after enlisting the help of Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee and Tommy and which leads to a truly explosive climax. With a perfect blitzkrieg soundtrack featuring Alice Cooper, Chuck Berry and Fleetwood Mac, this hilarious film is still as fresh today as it was 35 years ago.