It’s easy to confuse the 1976 documentary The Blank Generation with the 1980 film Blank Generation. While both films have similar qualities, like punk rock, New York City, and Richard Hell, they remain distinctly different. The documentary from directors Amos Poe and Patti Smith’s former guitarist Ivan Kral was a portrait of New York punk bands and is considered by some to have helped bands like The Ramones, Blondie, and The Talking Heads get their big breaks. Blank Generation (1980) is an entirely different beast.
This could have been something special but turned into what many believe is a mess. Still, in the years following, it has grown into a bit of a cult classic. Dark Force Entertainment has brought the long out-of-print film on a bare-bones Blu-ray.
A French journalist named Nada (Carole Bouquet) has traveled to New York for an assignment where she will chronicle the life of rising punk icon Billy (Richard Hell). The two quickly become lovers, but the relationship isn’t healthy for either. She’s unsure if she can continue going through the turmoil they’ve created, and Nada will have to decide if she will return home or try to rekindle a previous relationship.
In addition to the two films with the same title, Blank Generation also happened to be the title of the debut album from Richard Hell and the Voidoids. Hell was not only the star of the films but also a prominent figure in the New York punk scene, having founded the legendary band Television before forming the Voidoids.
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Following the New York punk scene and its origins, I’m familiar with Hell’s legacy. The movie has a very thin narrative, but fans of Hell and his music will have nothing to complain about since he and his music are front and center throughout. What the film lacks in a cohesive story, it makes up for with engaging performances and perfectly capturing the ’70s New York style. The iconic Andy Warhol even makes an unexpected appearance.
Director Ulli Lommel, best known for his collaborations with Rainer Werner Fassbinder and low-budget cult horror flicks, may not have known exactly what to do with or how to handle the material. There are some interesting concepts and ideas, but they never quite come together. Richard Hell has also been rather outspoken with his distaste for the film, which is understandable. I enjoyed it for the most part, and it’s exciting that it’s available again after so long.
While the disc doesn’t offer many bonus features, the widescreen presentation and audio mix make it all a worthwhile purchase.
