The Blank Generation
7.30pm, 25 July 2025
The Electric Palace Cinema, Hastings
Hastings Punk Choir performing before the film.
Film starring Debbie Harry, David Byrne and John Cale, this rare documentary shows the cream of New York new wave/punk filmed live at CBGBs when the scene was just beginning. Includes performances by Patti Smith, Blondie, Television, the Ramones, Talking Heads, the Heartbreakers, the Shirts, Wayne County, the Marbles, the Dolls, Miamis, Harry Toledo, and the Tuff Darts (w/Robert Gordon).
Shot on a single 16mm camera, largely live at the club, but also with some “out in the street” sequences, it’s a vital, rare document of exciting and vibrant music. The film doesn’t have the benefit of sync sound and is a mixture of live tapes and commercially available records, was dubbed on later when the film makers had cut their footage together. So it’s all very punk, as it should be and this adds to the rough-n-ready quality.
