Vortex (1982)

A film noirish atmosphere is created to show detective Lunch (a popular underground musician and poet) plow her way through the plans of a corporate businessman who seeks government defense... See full summary »

Directors:

Beth B, Scott B

Writers:

Beth B, Scott B

Stars:

James Russo, Lydia Lunch, William Rice

Cast

Credited cast:
James Russo	...	Anthony Demmer
Lydia Lunch	...	Angel Powers
William Rice	...	Frederick Fields
Bill Corsair	...	John Allen
Haoui Montaug	...	Harry
Scott B	...	Carlo / Cop
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Brent Collins	...	Peter
Kai Eric	...	Bodyguard
Richard France	...	Therapist
Gideon Horowitz	...	Doctor
Dani Johnson	...	Patient
David Kennedy	...	Congressman White
Kristof Kolhofer	...	Doctor
Bill Landis	...	Patient
Ann Magnuson	...	Pamela Fleming

Storyline

A film noirish atmosphere is created to show detective Lunch (a popular underground musician and poet) plow her way through the plans of a corporate businessman who seeks government defense contracts through real "corporate wars" and the manipulation of politicians.

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Plot Keywords:

corruption | corporate warfare | government corruption | no wave | corporate intrigue | 

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Genres:

Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

September 1982 (USA)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$80,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Angel Powers: The truth is a dead man's secret.

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Soundtracks

"Black Box Disco"
Performed by Vortex

User Reviews

Threadbare budget used effectively

This film, shot in 16mm with a tiny budget (reportedly a mere $80,000), was an attempt of bringing film noir stylings to independent film. The storyline works around a plot of corporate warfare and defense contract corruption uncovered by private detective Angel Powers, who is investigating the death of a government official. (Powers is played in deadpan style by Lydia Lunch [poet, musician, and the Godmother of Gothic Rock] and comes across as more "spike heel" than "gum shoe".) While the special effects and camera work reveal the painfully low budget at times, the atmosphere is particularly haunting, especially when accentuated by the film's jazz music score. An interesting period piece from the days before cam-corders and home computers, when people actually had to use film to make independent movies. Why this isn't on video or DVD goes beyond me, since it was one of the films that blazed the trail where other films like "The Blair Witch Project" went!