White Riot DVD and Frau Stern DVD Unboxing Thanks To Film Movement!

Unboxing two fantastic films sent to me by my friends at Film Movement: the DVD releases of White Riot and Frau Stern. White Riot is an amazing and sadly relevant documentary about how the punk scene fought racism during its inception. And Frau Stern is a unique looking dark comedy; a coming of age film for someone who is over the hill! Check out the video to see what you get in each of these physical releases! 

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White Riot: Britain, late-1970s. Punk is exploding. The country is deeply divided over immigration. The National Front, a far-right and fascist political party, is gaining strength as politicians like Enoch Powell push a xenophobic agenda. Outraged by a racist speech from Eric Clapton, music photographer Red Saunders writes a letter to the music press, calling for rock to be a force against racism. NME, Melody Maker, and Sounds all publish the letter. Flooded with responses, Red discovers many share his views. Teaming up with like-minded creatives Roger Huddle, Kate Webb, Syd Shelton and Australian graphic designer Ruth Gregory, the team bands together to create Rock Against Racism (RAR) and a fanzine, Temporary Hoarding. Speaking directly to the youth, Temporary Hoarding reports stories and issues that the mainstream British media ignores, like immigration, the Catholic side of the Northern Ireland conflict, and the police’s controversial “suspected persons” (sus) powers. They give a voice to the voiceless. The National Front begins to strike back, committing acts of violence against RAR supporters and petrol-bombing their HQ. Despite this, RAR spreads virally across the UK and into Europe, becoming a grassroots youth movement. The Clash, Steel Pulse, Tom Robinson and other top bands of the day jump on board. White Riot is a moment in time when music changed the world. When a generation challenged the status quo. It’s Woodstock meets the March on Washington, punk-style. Director: Rubika Shah Starring: Red Saunders, Roger Huddle, Kate Webb, The Clash, Steel Pulse, Tom Robinson, Poly Styrene, Sham 69, Alien Kulture Frau Stern: 90-year-old Frau Stern is in remarkable shape for a woman her age. Her physical health is excellent, her daughter and granddaughter are doting on her, her hairdresser supplies her with recreational drugs and she is surrounded by friends who are still in their 20s. But the Holocaust survivor from Berlin has had enough: she desperately wants to die. With a wonderful performance from the late Ahuva Sommerfeld, Frau Stern is a sad yet funny meditation on life, death and everything in between. Director: Anatol Schuster Starring: Ahuva Sommerfeld, Kara Schröder, Pit Bukowski

What to Watch This Weekend Veeeeerrryyy Niiiiccce Edition: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Haunt, On the Rocks, White Riot, The Owners, Totally Under Control, Blush, Emma

For Veeerrrryy Niiiice Viewer People - Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (Amazon)

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm keeps much of what made the first film such a crazy, funny experience while tackling some new, modern American issues.  However, the shock value that was characteristic of the first movie just doesn't have as much impact this time around.  For more information, check out our review!

For Those Missing Halloween Festivities - Haunt (Digital, Disc, Streaming)

Haunt's combination of atmospheric, impactful sound, tense and gruesome horror, and unsettling villains makes this a haunted house you will want to explore.  For more information, check out our review!

For Rock Fans and Future Activists - White Riot (Virtual Cinema)

White Riot is a sadly timely movie that showcases how music can be a force for good with a rebellious soundtrack and cast of characters.  For more information, check out our review!

For Relationship Drama Fans - On the Rocks (Apple)

On The Rocks takes many of the tropes of this genre and turns them on their head, with an unconventional story, Bill Murray craziness, and great chemistry between Jones and Wayans.   For more information, check out our review!  

For Those Going Through A Midlife Crisis - Blush (Amazon)

Blush tells a different mid life crisis story with some great acting and an unconventional plot.  For more information, check out our review!

For Those Stuck At Home - Totally Under Control (Hulu)

Totally Under Control looks at the US response to COVID-19 in an eye opening and timely documentary!

For Those Bored And Looking For Trouble - The Owners (Redbox and Digital)

The Owners turns the traditional break in thriller on its head with some brutal scenes, a ton of tension, and a good cast of characters.  For more information, check out our review!

For Those Looking For Something Happy - Emma (HBO)

Emma brings the Jane Austin classic to life with a colorful style, a stellar cast, and an absolute charm that will capture you from the first scene.  For more information, check out our review!

White Riot Review: A Sadly Timely Documentary About Standing Against Hate

Release date: October 16, 2020
Running time: 80 minutes
Starring: Red Saunders, Dennis Bovell, Mykaell Riley 

White Riot chronicles the Rock Against Racism organization, which was formed in 1976 in response to some racially charged comments made by Eric Clapton.  But the organization and its message of unification for rock quickly found a need to grow as the anti-immigrant National Front in Britain espoused its own racist and anti-immigration messages.  The campaign grew from Hoxton fanzine roots to 1978's huge antifascist carnival in Victoria Park, featuring X-Ray Spex, Steel Pulse, and of course The Clash, whose rock star charisma and gale-force conviction took RAR's message to the masses.  White Riot blends fresh interviews with archive footage to recreate a hostile environment of anti-immigrant hysteria and National Front marches.  

This film highlights an important time in British history and for rock / punk music.  The National Front preached a hateful, close minded message and this film showcases how a few angry individuals who didn't like the views espoused by that party started a national movement.  The founders of Rock Against Racism channeled their anger to effect real change, and gathered like-minded musicians and sympathetic Brits to help defeat this message.  It really showcases how music can be a force for good in this world and how people can come together to change the narrative.  It also showcases a pivotal time in punk music when the culture could have gone either way, embracing either equality or racism.  And thanks to the efforts of Rock Against Racism, it formed a rebellion against hate.  

And as you would expect from a movie about punk music the film has a great soundtrack.  It really highlights some good bands and some influential lyrics.  I really liked how it would relate those lyrics to the greater movement at the time, and the soundtrack to the film is one of rebellion and love.  It really puts into context some of these great songs.  And unfortunately, despite this movie being set 50 years ago, the message it has is sadly timely.  It feels like a lot of the lessons and fight that occurred back then are still happening today.  Even though we as a society and a world should have moved past all of this, hate still happens and is becoming more blatant and outspoken.  White Riot is an important and timely reminder that if you want to stop hate, you have to take an active role.  You can't just hope that it will go away, you must be the voice for what you want to see happen.

White Riot is a sadly timely movie that showcases how music can be a force for good with a rebellious soundtrack and cast of characters.

Watch it.

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White Riot is playing in virtual cinemas across the country.  For more information and for showtimes click here.