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Poster for The Decline of Western Civilization
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The Decline of Western Civilization

Director: Penelope Spheeris Run Time: 100 min. Format: DCP Rating: NR, X Release Year: 1981

Starring: Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Claude Bessy, The Germs

Nitehawk’s MUSIC DRIVEN presents a special screening of THE DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION with director Penelope Spheeris!

Q&A with Penelope Spheeris following the film.

Penelope Spheeris’s notorious deep dive into Los Angeles punk culture circa 1980 in The Decline of Western Civilization. The film hit like a bomb on its release in 1981, stirring up such a controversy that the LAPD Chief of Police wrote the filmmaker asking her not to show it again in the city. Along with interviews from band members, the film prominently features raw, bloody, spit-covered performances by groups like Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Fear, Germs, X and more.

Part of Nitehawk’s MUSIC DRIVEN signature series.

Trailer