Punk, forever
“Punk, forever” is an intriguing and personal account of the punk era in the late ’70s. This documentary film focusses on lost friendships in the Dutch (Amsterdam) punk scene and what has become of those who played a prominent role in that scene. It is a strong film, that brings back many memories of moving times.
Historic Interest
The first ongoing music scene that was assigned the “punk” label appeared in New York in 1974-1976, centered around bands that played regularly at the clubs Max’s Kansas City and CBGB. Soon after, the movement spread around the western world quickly, attracting many followers in London, Berlin and Amsterdam. “Punk, it is great fun” takes us back to the Amsterdam punk scene. From a historic perspective punk rock served as a reaction against 1970s popular music such as disco music, heavy metal, progressive rock and arena rock. Punk also rejected the remnants of the 1960s hippie counterculture. The vanguard of the British punk movement, particularly the Sex Pistols, was strongly influenced by the cultural critiques and strategies for revolutionary action of the European Situationist movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
Human Interest
Socially, punk was fueled by the grim realities of urban life in the early eighties and the perceived authoritarian/militaristic right wing politics of Ronald Reagan and Margareth Thatcher. In the early eighties there was wide spread unemployment, especially in England, causing aggression, boredom and fatalism. As shown in the film, Punk ideology is and was concerned with the individual’s intrinsic right to freedom, and a less restricted lifestyle (anti-authoritarianism). Common punk ethics include a radical rejection of conformity, the DIY (Do It Yourself) ethic, direct action for political change, and not selling out to mainstream interests for personal gain.
Awards
This film premiered at IDFA in 1996 and was shown in various Dutch film theatres and broadcasted by Dutch television in January 1997. It was also internationally distributed and presented at film festivals in Munich, Leipzig and Vallodalid. In 1997, it was nominated for a GOUDEN KALF- award during the Dutch Film Festival as well as nominated for the Dutch Academy Award for the category Informative Documentary.
Scenes
Young, free and single
For many who grew up in the late 1970’s, punk music defined their lives. Deriving from England and the United States, it soon spread worldwide and created a sub-culture in many countries. The Netherlands was no different. This is a story of a Dutchman reliving his punk childhood in Amsterdam, with the help of his old friends.
Reliving the past
We are taken on a journey back to Amsterdam in the late 1970’s and learn of the friends director Alfred De Boer had when he left home as a young teenager in search of the bright lights and punk dreams he had whilst growing up in Castricum. He goes in search of old friends, taken from a photobook that was made during his youth in the capital.
Futures
For many who shared the Amsterdam punk scene, the future held differing dreams and options. Many grew out of the music and image, whilst others still live the dreams they held onto as kids. We meet various old friends from De Boer, including a model who has now relocated to Paris and lives a completely different life to that of the 1970’s.
Violence
For many of the punks there was a constant battle with the police or other groups within the Amsterdam society. Violence was often normal for these groups and many were injured in fighting.
An end of an era
The period for many was based on short relationships, physical abuse in the form of drugs and an escape from reality. Eventually relationships flared and people went their seperate ways. For many of those who grew up in the late 1970’s, the days of punk rock are over. However, for a small minority punk rock is most certainly not dead.
