The punk band The Embarrassment, which formed during the Reagan-era 1980’s, had that special kind of live show magic that catapulted them from Kansas party houses to New York City. Like most indie bands, this one’s mainstream success was kept at bay due to creative differences, but not before drawing the attention of other true originals like Allen Ginsberg, John Cale, and Jonathan Demme. Through interviews, restored concert footage, and appearances by fans including Evan Dando, Freedy Johnston, Grant Hart, and Thomas Frank, we get to revisit a seminal, secret punk band that still has a lot to give to punk culture. (Dir. Daniel Fetherston and Danny Szlauderbach, U.S, 2022, 96 m)
“The movie is full of incredible footage of the band (a rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” for a handful of children in a backyard is epic stuff) with wry, warmly reflective interviews from the members themselves. The doc is an inspiring reminder that creativity can sprout anywhere.” – LA Times
