Kill Your Idols (2004)

A documentary on thirty years of alternative NYC rock 'n roll.

Director:

Scott Crary (as S.A. Crary)

Stars:

Ron Albertson, Angus Andrew, Tristan Bechet

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Ron Albertson	...	Self
Angus Andrew	...	Self
Tristan Bechet	...	Self
Hisham Bharoocha	...	Self
Glenn Branca	...	Self
Sebastien Brault	...	Self
Brian Chase	...	Self
Bjorn Copeland	...	Self
Eric Copeland	...	Self
Susan Donaldson	...	Self
Michael Gira	...	Self
Aaron Hemphill	...	Self
Eugene Hutz	...	Self
Oren Kaplan	...	Self
Arto Lindsay	...	Self

Storyline

A documentary on thirty years of alternative NYC rock 'n roll.

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Plot Keywords:

rock 'n' roll | bohemia | artist | independent music | alternative music | 

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Taglines:

You Are A Target Market.

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Genres:

Documentary | Music

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The title of the film is inspired by the Sonic Youth song "Kill Yr Idols".

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Crazy Credits

SHOWN AT THE BEGINNING: "Here in this family album lies the salt family of Lot." -Marina Tsvetaeva

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Connections

Features Submit to Me Now (1987)

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Soundtracks

Tremens
by Sonic Youth
Courtesy of Sonic Youth / SYR

User Reviews

Not a film about no-wave; an actual no-wave film.

Reading some of these reviews, a lot of people seem to miss the point that no-wave was an idea, not a 'scene' or a genre. It was about negating the past, not heralding it. I've read a few comments damning the film for not staying anchored in the past which is perhaps to miss the entire point of what no-wave is and stands for. Likewise, to claim the doc's point is to prove that it was "so much better in the past" is also silly and proof that the film wasn't viewed closely enough. On the contrary, this small film seems to suggest something much more complex and does so without any didacticism. It states, through subtle contradictions and especially with its genius closing montage (dont want to spoil it by explaining it), a very important point about the post-modern wall: that it's impossible to criticize an entire generation for being too nostalgic (as the older bands in the film do) without being nostalgic yourself and admitting that, yes, it was so much better back then. This impedes creativity as does the general culture of nostalgia currently. It leaves us and the culture stranded. The film really uses no-wave and its ideals as a way to prove the dangers of nostalgia, even if the nostalgia is for no-wave itself.

As for the comments above, about the newer bands not being directly related or being interconnected...WHAT??? That's completely false. Anyone in NY during that year the film presents them (2002) knows those bands were all playing together constantly. They all played the same clubs, hung out at the same bars and frequented the same magazine spreads. And I think the film is less trying to group them together than it is obviously trying comment on how the media was attempting to do so (remember those 'brooklyn scene' family trees in Rolling Stone, NME, NY mag, etc.?). I could be wrong, but the film seems to MOCK the whole idea of grouping so many individuals together as representative of one thing or of being of one voice. I think it's commenting, and not so quietly, on the manipulations of media and the music industry to do so. Mass production = mass consumption, after all. It attacks the idea of "scene" and the industry's invention of them. I think that's the not-so-subtle point of the jump-cut edits as well. That's a standard cutting practice in any documentary (to clean up the um's and ah's that retard speech)--usually it's just masked in b-roll and stills, etc. In the case of KILL YOUR IDOLS, the manipulations are just exposed. By exposing the lie, it's more honest in a way. Anyway, I wouldn't say the cuts really pervert what the people say. It's clear the editor/director is cutting out silences or blatantly juxtaposing comments to make two points into a third point (which is the art of film--creating new meanings by juxtaposing one image/sound next to another). The editing is one of the most clever aspects to me. I'd even say it mimics the herky-jerky rhythms of no- wave, as well, but that might be a stretch*. It's definitely of an unorthodox style. Some will get it; some won't. If you want "Behind-The-Music" and spoon-fed, pre-scripted sound-bites, you won't. If you like video art, you will.

I saw another comment that the new bands aren't directly related to No-Wave which is also wrong. The film maybe falters in not making the connections explicit and you may need to do your homework to find how they are...but they are actually quite connected. YYY's have often referenced no-wave in interviews (whether or not they actually succeed in their interpretation is another matter and, i think, the point of the film-- not that they are direct heirs). Liars are of an obvious ilk, particularly as their career went on. ARE Weapons are proudly waving the Suicide flag. Gogol Bordello may seem like a wild card, but as a fan, I can tell you that their first albums were produced by none other than Teenage Jesus & The Jerks' Jim Sclavunous (who's in the movie). Also, Eugene Hutz said himself the very reason he moved to NY was to audition to be in one of James Chance's later bands. Flux was produced and heralded by Mike Gira from Swans. And Black Dice have an obvious disinterest in past connections, like the no-wave bands. Anyway, they all had some connection to Sonic Youth, the original children of no-wave, which IS explicitly stated by all in the film. They were all being grouped under the no-wave umbrella by the press a few years ago (correctly or incorrectly is no matter). And, besides, a truly new no-wave band wouldn't sound anything like an imitation of no-wave, would it? It would only try to disavow itself from influence--even that of the no-wave bands, themselves. The new bands do have in common that intent to do something "new". I think the film is trying to expose whether they succeed and how they might be able to do so or what might prevent that ability. And the target doesn't seem to be the artists. It seems to be a culture and industry that commodifies the past.

Brilliant documentary. Watch it more than once. You'll need to.

*(I just read on Pitchfork that the film supposedly made for $300?? If so, that might explain it's rough and tumble feel. And considering that, the film seems impossibly epic and polished).

**(Seeing the accumulation of other posts now, it seems a lot of people confused by the film aren't from New York or hadn't heard of No Wave before. I doubt either are pre-requisites, but I thought it fair to point that I am from NYC and had heard of No Wave and most of the bands before. I'd imagine the deeper issues communicate across place or knowledge of the scenes though).

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 January 2007 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Gremise ta eidola sou

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,274, 9 July 2006

Gross USA:

$7,753

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,753

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hunger Artist Productions

Technical Specs

Color:

Black and White Color