Border Radio [Criterion Collection]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

In this semi-improvised look at life along the edges of L.A.'s rock scene, Chris D. (real name Chris Desjardins, leader of the L.A. punk band The Flesh Eaters) plays Jeff, a singer/songwriter who has suddenly gone missing. Two of his friends, bandmate Dean (John Doe, from the group X) and faithful roadie Chris (Chris Shearer), seem anxious to get in touch with him, and with good reason: Jeff and his band were stiffed by a club owner on payment for a recent gig, so they broke into the club's safe and took off with the loot. Now Jeff and the money have vanished, and Dean and Chris are torn between their concern for their friend's safety and their need to get their hands on the cash. Meanwhile, Jeff wanders aimlessly in Mexico, seemingly content after cutting himself off from the turmoil of his life in Los Angeles. Border Radio features members of several important California punk and roots bands in significant roles, including Dave Alvin of The Blasters and Texacala Jones of Tex and the Horseheads; Green on Red are shown playing a club date and The Lazy Cowgirls are featured on the soundtrack. Co-directors Allison Anders, Dean Lent, and Kurt Voss were UCLA film students who met while working on the crew of Wim Wenders's Paris, Texas; Anders went on to make several notable features, including Gas Food Lodging and Grace of My Heart. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

DVD FEATURES:

• Number of Discs: 1
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 (Pre-1954 Standard)
• Audio: Dolby Digital Mono, Dolby Digital Stereo
• Screen: Black and White
• Features:
  • New, restored high-definition digital transfer, supervised and approved by director of photography Dean Lent and codirector Kurt Voss
  • Two audio commentaries: one with codirectors Allison Anders and Kurt Voss, and one with actors Luanna Anders, Dave Alvin, Chris D., John Doe, and Chris Shearer
  • The Making of "Border Radio," a 2002 documentary featuring interviews with Anders, Lent, Voss, Doe, and Chris D.
  • Nine deleted scenes
  • Music video of the Fleash Eaters' "The Wedding Dice"
  • Stills gallery featuring rare behind-the-scenes photos
  • Theatrical trailer and radio spot
  • Bios of cast and Crew
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • Plus: A new essay by music journalist and critic Chris Morris

AWARDS

• Independent Spirit Awards

•     Nominated Best First Feature - 1988 (Allison Anders, Kurt Voss, Dean Lent)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Chris D - Jeff
       John Doe - Dean
       Luana Anders - Lu
       Chris Shearer - Chris
       Dave Alvin - Dave

• Director:

  Allison Anders, Dean Lent, Kurt Voss

• Producer:

  Marcus de Leon

• Screenwriter:

  Allison Anders, Dean Lent, Kurt Voss

• Cinematographer:

  Dean Lent

• Composer (Music Score):

  Dave Alvin, Bill Bateman, John Bazz, Steve Berling, D.J. Bonebrake, John Doe

• Associate Producer:

  Robert L. Rosen

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