Is punk really dead? Maybe, in a way, it is. This musical and ideological movement disrupted tradition in the UK of the 1970s and then spread around the world, changing music, fashion, and popular culture forever. We probably won’t see anything like it again in our lifetime. And if something like it does happen, it won’t be the same. Our generation is trying to make the world a better place and break away from tradition. However, the ideological openness of modern youth regarding certain topics such as gender, sexuality, and inclusiveness might just be a façade, something to tweet about or post on social media. Still, these ideas can be traced back to the radical spirit of punk. Punks didn’t just talk about disruption. They lived it, rejecting the restrictive mentality of their parents through their clothes, their music, and their actions. That’s what made them a true underground culture. Not everyone dared to defy society the way they did. To become pariahs and even be labeled as twisted or criminals because of the way they expressed their ideology in every aspect of their life.
Nowadays, it’s hard to find a movement as rebellious as punk was. However, its spirit and legacy remain in the music ––which influenced later musicians and genres––and in other types of art, including cinema. If you want to dive into the true anarchic nature of punk and how it keeps marking young people around the world, you must take a look at these six films. Each of them, in its own way, manages to portray the many faces of this underground movement’s main principle: be free and rebel against authority.
Sid and Nancy (1986) Dir. Alex Cox
Any list about punk films must begin with the story of one of the most iconic duos in the scene: Sid Vicious, bassist of the Sex Pistols, and his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen. This movie depicts how their passionate and tempestuous romance led to a tragic end. Although Johnny Rotten, former singer of the band, says in his autobiography that the movie fails to show the punk scene as it actually was, Sid and Nancy is a convincing depiction of a relationship that marked the musical career of one of the most iconic figures of punk music.
Jubilee (1978) Dir. Derek Jarman
Can you imagine what would happen if someone from the 1500s traveled to the 1970s and discovered the world of punk? Well, this cult film creates a compelling and dystopian outcome for this situation. With the help of the spirit Ariel (like the one from Shakespeare’s The Tempest), Queen Elizabeth I witnesses the chaotic future that awaits her kingdom, now ruled by corrupt politicians who struggle to contain the riots unleashed by the Monarch of Punk.
The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle (1980) Dir. Julien Temple
Now, something a little lighter. This mockumentary focuses on the secret life of the Sex Pistols, from their beginnings to their split. A private detective tries to uncover how the band’s manager, Malcolm McLaren, created the band, helped them rise, and manipulated them, so he could profit from them while brainwashing the youth with his “chaos” agenda.
Punk: Attitude (2005) Dir. Don Letts
Some years in the future, after the rise and fall of punk culture, this documentary revives the most iconic moments of this movement, while also exploring the ideology that went hand in hand with the music. It traces the history of punk from its beginnings, including early bands like the Velvet Underground. It also explores important bands such as the ever-present Sex Pistols, The Ramones, and The Clash. Moreover, this documentary highlights the way these bands have influenced modern rock and metal music, none of which would exist without punk.
Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer (2013)
It’s worth mentioning the many ways punk continues to shape our world. I’m sure you’ve heard about Pussy Riot in the news. This Russian feminist punk group is known for its disruptive performances and open rejection of Russia’s political system as well as the country’s president. This documentary follows the band members’ trials in court and the way their ideals challenge their country’s politics.
We Are the Best! (2013) Dir. Lucas Moodysson
To round up this list with a light and modern film, this Swedish-Danish movie tells the story of three girls who decide to form a punk band in the eighties. Although none of them have an instrument, and everyone tells them to give up, their determination to relive the energy and rebellion of this movement truly proves that punk is not dead.
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If you want to read more about this revolutionary music genre and ideology, check out these articles:
The Three Bands That Started Punk You Never Heard Of
Pictures From The Soviet Punk Uprising You Never Knew Existed
