NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell

Jul 9, 2007

1h 27m

★ 7.5

Overview

New York City, 1977 - It was a time when the city had fallen into decay, with too few jobs, money, police, schools, and social services. There was a city wide blackout with major looting, a serial killer on the loose, and the Bronx was burning. And yet out of the chaos emerged one of the most creative times any city has ever encountered.

Genres

Documentary

Production Companies

Firehouse Films

VH1 Rock Docs

NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell Trailers

Cast

Self

Afrika Bambaataa

Self

Randy Jones

Self

Ed Koch

Self

KRS-One

Self

Tommy Ramone

Self

Geraldo Rivera

Self

Richard Hell

Self

Annie Sprinkle

Patti Smith

Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Debbie Harry

Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Bella Abzug

Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

David Berkowitz

Observations at Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal, which is one of the most fascinating stations for insiders. The documentary takes the completed renovation of the building as an occasion to bring the magnificent architecture to life; at the same time, it focuses on the countless momentary encounters when the paths of commuters and flâneurs cross.

3.4

Kristina Talking Pictures

Nov 2, 1976

Kristina, a self-named Hungarian female lion tamer, arrives in New York to become a dance choreographer. Kristina, now a middle-class NYC artist concerned about the environment, has a sailor lover named Raoul. The film, a collage work, an essay film, a fictional narrative and a documentary all rolled into one, is one of the most important independent American feminists films made during the 1970's.

0.0

Chance, History, Art...

Aug 25, 1980

Anne Bean, John McKeon, Stuart Brisley, Rita Donagh, Jamie Reid and Jimmy Boyle are interviewed about their artistic practice and the legacy of Surrealism on their work.

7.0

Ian Dury: On My Life!

Jun 1, 1999

Autobiographical documentary in which Ian Dury, fighting a battle with cancer to which he would later succumb, recalls his life and career. With contributions from painter Peter Blake and members of Dury's band, the Blockheads.

6.1

Here to be Heard: The Story of The Slits

Apr 18, 2018

The tale of the formation, journey and end of the seminal Punk/Reggae band The Slits.

7.0

Punk: Attitude

Jul 4, 2005

From London's 1970 mod scene to Sonic Youth, punk music has always been about attitude and anarchy. This comprehensive rockumentary traces the roots of punk, from The Velvet Underground and the New York Dolls to the Sex Pistols and The Clash.

7.0

Life After People

Jan 21, 2008

In this special documentary that inspired a two-season television series, scientists and other experts speculate about what the Earth, animal life, and plant life might be like if, suddenly, humanity no longer existed, as well as the effect humanity's disappearance might have on the artificial aspects of civilization.

No Image Available

3.2

Assjack: Gates of Hell

Jan 1, 2006

A "best of" compilation of live clips of various ASSJACK shows taped live at Alley Katz in Richmond, VA from 2003 - 2006 and clips of 1 show from May 2005 at Bluecats in Knoxville, TN. Special cameos by Dancing Outlaw Jesco White, Randy Blythe from Lamb of God and Chris Arp from Psyopus.

7.2

Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That!

Mar 31, 2006

Concert film combining the footage from 50 camcorders given to audience members of a sold-out Beastie Boys show at Madison Square Garden on October 9, 2004. The audience members were instructed to keep the cameras rolling at all times.

6.0

The Happy Child

Jan 1, 2003

The Happy Child is a story of "New Wave" rock genre predominant in the ex-Yugoslavia during the socialist 70's and 80's.

5.0

Silvana

Sep 15, 2017

A documentary about the Swedish rapper and artist Silvana Imam.

8.5

Get Rollin'

Apr 24, 1980

A documentary about Pat the Cat and other roller disco skaters who want to make it big doing what they do.

0.0

Minor Threat - Live: DC Space-Buff Hall-930 Club

Jan 1, 2003

Minor Threat played one of its last shows at Washington DC's 930 Club in June of 1983; they would only play once more in DC. Two years later, the tapes from the 930 show were edited together and Dischord Records released them as the Minor Threat Live VHS video in 1986. Along with the 40 minute 930 performance, the DVD includes a 1982 Minor Threat show in Camden, NJ, a clip of Minor Threat's 2nd ever show at DC Space in December 1980, and excerpts from a 1983 interview with vocalist, Ian MacKaye.

6.6

The Stroll

Jan 23, 2023

The history of New York’s Meatpacking District, told from the perspective of transgender sex workers who lived and worked there. Filmmaker Kristen Lovell, who walked “The Stroll” for a decade, reunites her community to recount the violence, policing, homelessness, and gentrification they overcame to build a movement for transgender rights.

6.9

Kim's Video

Sep 27, 2023

Since 1987, and for almost three decades, New York cinephiles had access to a vast treasure trove of rare films thanks to Kim's Video, a small empire run by Yongman Kim, an enigmatic character who amassed more than fifty thousand VHS tapes.

6.7

Kokomo City

Jul 28, 2023

Four Black transgender sex workers in Atlanta and New York City break down the walls of their profession.

0.0

Danzig: Home Video

Feb 13, 1990

Featuring songs from their debut album DANZIG: "Twist of Cain" and the controversial uncut versions of "Am I Demon", "She Rides" and "Mother". Plus interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. Highlights include: Glenn revealing his songwriting process, reading Wolverine comics, discussing his book collection, chugging a box of Milk Duds before an encore, and Eerie Von being a badass.

5.8

Prinzessinnenbad

May 31, 2007

A film about three teenagers - Klara, Mina and Tanutscha - from the Berlin district of Kreuzberg. The trio have known each other since Kindergarten and have plenty in common. The three 15-year-olds are the best of friends; they are spending the summer at Prinzenbad, a large open-air swimming pool at the heart of the district where they live. They're feeling pretty grown up, and are convinced they've now left their childhood behind.

5.2

There Is No Authority But Yourself

Jan 1, 2006

A Dutch documentary about the history of the anarchist punk band Crass. The film features archival footage of the band, and interviews with former members Steve Ignorant, Penny Rimbaud and Gee Vaucher.

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0.0

I Will Dance

Jul 1, 2015

Follows the young people of Selma, Alabama's RATCo (Random Acts of Theatre Company) as they journey to New York City to share their story of hope, resilience, and overcoming.