Kill Your Idols (2006)

Synopsis: A comprehensive survey of some of New York City's post-punk bands, this documentary is equal parts art and music. It starts in 1972, pauses briefly in 1982, and stops in 2002, looking at influential acts during that timeline. The No Wave bands of the early '70s make up the first segment of the... A comprehensive survey of some of New York City's post-punk bands, this documentary is equal parts art and music. It starts in 1972, pauses briefly in 1982, and stops in 2002, looking at influential acts during that timeline. The No Wave bands of the early '70s make up the first segment of the film. Gritty black-and-white footage of live performances in SoHo clubs feature Suicide (Martin Rev), Teenage Jesus and The Jerks (Lydia Lunch), the Theoretical Girls (Glenn Branca), and DNA (Arto Lindsay). The music is followed by candid interviews with the artists, filmed in 2002, on digital video, in color. They comment on the political atmosphere in downtown New York at that time, discuss punk influences like Iggy Pop, and explain that they were trying to make something new, even if it wasn't music. Skipping to the '80s, Sonic Youth (Thurston Moore, Lee Renaldo) and the Swans (Michael Gira) emerge on the scene, and early live B&W footage is shown. The final chapter in this fascinating rock-doc takes viewers to 2002, where a smattering of youthful bands mimic the aforementioned. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs talk about their overnight fame. And other post-punk acts like Liars, Black Dice, and the delectable gypsy band Gogol Bordello chime in, with band members sharing their thoughts on the music they make and how it compares to those earlier sounds. Director-producer-photographer S.A. Crary, who made this movie for under $300, pulls it all together with cool title cards, sequences of experimental photography, and abstract chapter headings, making KILL YOUR IDOLS thoroughly enjoyable, and informative. [More]