Allison Anders, Director
2008 Don’t Knock the Rock Film Festival
Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Closing Night 8/31 2008
Silent Movie Theater, Fairfax, Every Thursday Night in July & August 2008
Hollywood, California
June 28, 2008
By Victoria Joyce
(SugarBuzz Hollywood)
Part Two of Two
Continuing our conversation with Don’t Knock the Rock Film Festival Director, Allison Anders:
Us: You are wrapping up July on the 31st with another West Coast premiere, “This is the Life.”
Allison: One West Coast premiere and one world premiere, “Return of the Rub A Dub Style.” These are two separate tickets on that night. “This is the Life” is our first Hip Hop documentary made by Ava DuVernay.
It’s got a really great quality. The amazing thing about this is it chronicles a similar kind of thing that happened with the LA Punk rock scene. You had this really diversified scene with women and Latinos in Hip Hop early on and the miracle is that they photographed it in this health food restaurant in South Central. It’s incredible! And then the scene turned into this male-dominated, aggressive, gangster, similar to what happened with Punk Rock in LA in the 70’s. A really amazing movie for any music fan.
And then “Return of the Rub a Dub Style” is in LA in Echo Park is about the reggae scene. These reggae masters rap over instrumental 45’s. And there will be a performance afterwards. Wonderful.
Us: You are really hitting all the notes, everywhere with all these different styles of music. All over the map, literally. The next film is about MY hometown, “The History of Chicago Punk!”
Allison: OMG, it’s so great. You are gonna love it so much. This is our regional Punk Rock night. (August 7th). This is where we get this one film focused about a city that ISN’T NY, LA or London! (Giggles.) Fantastic. And low and behold, we find another one about Dallas-Fort Worth with “DFW Punk” another West Coast Premiere. There’s a lot of things that are very similar and a lot that is very different with each scene. It’s so excellent to watch them back to back. Each city as it’s own personality. And there are some fabulous bands in both films.
Us: Then on August 14th another US Premiere, “If It Ain’t Stiff” about Stiff Records. Wow!
Allison: OMG, Yeah, This is the movie I would have had to make (Big laughs!)
This is a fantastic move by Ben Layle at the BBC, a spectacular music documentary. Believe it or not, this is a little personal for me because Dave Robinson who started Stiff Records used to live upstairs from this pub, the Rope and Anchor and I was a barmaid there when I was 18. I used to serve him his wake up pint. He would come downstairs in his bathrobe. People kept telling me “he’s building a recording studio and he’s starting a reords label.” And I said “Dave? Who doesn’t get out of bed until 2?!” The last laugh was one me ‘cause BOY! Did he EVER start a records label! (Laughs!)
He’s (Dave Robinson) is threatening to be there! And I really hope he makes it this trip. This movie is actually free. But your admission is for the Stiff Records Tribute Concert that follows which is going to be STUNNING with some very special, amazing guests.
Us: Then we have a special NON-Thursday screening about Sonic Youth! On Saturday night, August 16th another LA Premiere.
Allison: Yes, “Sonic Youth: Sleeping Nights Awake.” This movie was shot entirely by high school students from Reno, Nevada. This is part of a non-profit group called “Project Moonshine” that teaches young people how to shoot films. And with the same director as “The Devil and Daniel Johnson,” Michael Albright.
And another film not on your schedule, just added, “A Lot of Love” about the Rockabilly scene. It covers every area of the scene. This is the original scene, this is one of areas that isn’t focused on enough. And two fabulous Rockabilly shorts too.
Us: On August 21st, 8:00pm you are showing a Music Nerd Double Bill: Under The Covers and Let Me Be Your Band, both L.A. premieres.
Allison: Under the Covers is a fantastic film that I watched just for the fun of it. This is another film that we are blessed to have people filming something. Henry Diltz is great rock and roll photographer and Gary Burden, the great designer who did the great album covers of the 60’s and 70’s. Morrison Hotel and Crosby, Stills and Nash and on and on down the line.
Let Me Be Your Band” is a tribute to one-man bands. A whole host of completely eccentric music. Definitely for the music-obsessed! In fact, one of the guys is playing at the Echo that night. A Q&A with Bill Day and Henry Diltz will follow and filmmaker Derek Emerson will also conduct a Q&A session afterwards.
Us: On August 28th, 8:00pm “Far Off Town: Dunedin to Nashville”
Allison: That’s right. This is a beautiful film from New Zealand about David Kilgour, the founder of The Clean. It’s about him coming to America to make a record. With Yo Lo Tengo, who worship at his feet. And you too will be worshiping at his feet, because he will be there performing live.
Allison: Let me just give you one more thing. On our closing night, August 31st back at Hollywood Forever Cemetery we’ve got the first ever DVD, it’s finally being released, Diane Lane’s, the movie she made when she was 16, “Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains!”
Us: OMG! Steve Jones is in that film!!
Allison: Steve Jones (Sex Pistols) is in the film, Paul Cook is in the film (also the Sex Pistols), Paul Simonon (The Clash), Diane Lane and Laura Dern. First of all, every girl should see this movie. It is pure Girl Power! And also guys, you will love it because Diane Lane is so hot. Directed by record producer, Lou Adler. It’s the DVD Party. And there will be a performance!!
Us: Thanks so much for your time today, Allison. We love you. We love your festival.
More info:
The Silent Movie Theatre
611 N. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.655.2510
http://silentmovietheatre.com/calendar/thursday.html#july
All screenings at the Silent Movie Theater unless noted otherwise.
Don’t Know The Rock Festival Lineup:
July 29, doors 7:30, film 9:00, The T.A.M.I Show (Hollywood Forever)
July 3rd, 8:00pm - The Wrecking Crew
July 10th, 8:00pm - You Think You Really Know Me: The Gary Wilson Story
July 17th, 8:00pm - Such Hawks, Such Hounds (L.A. premiere!)
July 24th, 7:30pm - Far East Punk Triple Feature: Beijing Bubbles, Rock 'N Japan and Wasted Orient (L.A. premieres!)
July 31st, 8:00pm - This Is The Life (West Coast premiere!)
July 31st, 10:15pm - Return Of The Rub-A-Dub Style (World premiere!)
August 7th, 8:00pm - Regional Punk Double Bill - You Weren't There: History of Chicago Punk (L.A. premiere!) + DFW Punk (West Coast Premiere!)
August 14th, 8:00pm - If It Ain't Stiff (U.S. premiere!)
SPECIAL NON-THURSDAY SCREENING: August 16th, 4:00pm - Sonic Youth: Sleeping Nights Awake (L.A. premiere!)
August 21st, 8:00pm - Music Nerd Double Bill: Under The Covers + Let Me Be Your Band (L.A. premieres!)
August 28th, 8:00pm - Far Off Town: Dunedin to Nashville (L.A. premiere!)
SPECIAL CLOSING NIGHT:
August 31st “Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains” at Cinespia, The Hollywood Forever Cemetery
http://silentmovietheatre.com/calendar/thursday.html#july