Blank City

Directed by Céline Danhier

Website: blankcityfilm.com

Facebook: facebook.com

Synopsis: BLANK CITY tells the long-overdue tale of the motley crew of renegade filmmakers that emerged from an economically bankrupt and dangerous period of New York history. It’s a fascinating look at the way this misfit cinema used the deserted, bombed-out Lower East Side landscapes to craft daring works that would go on to profoundly influence Independent Film today. Unlike the much-celebrated punk music scene, this era’s thrilling and confrontational underground film movement has never before been chronicled. Directed by French newcomer Celine Danhier, BLANK CITY captures the idiosyncratic, explosive energy of the “No Wave Cinema” and “Cinema of Transgression” movements. Featured players include acclaimed directors Jim Jarmusch and John Waters, actor-writer-director Steve Buscemi, Blondie’s Debbie Harry, Hip Hop legend Fab 5 Freddy, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, photographer Richard Kern as well as Amos Poe, James Nares, Eric Mitchell, Susan Seidelman, Beth B, Scott B, Charlie Ahearn and Nick Zedd. Fittingly, the soundtrack includes: Patti Smith, Television, Richard Hell & The Voidoids, The Contortions, The Bush Tetras, Sonic Youth and many more.

Film Presence is handling the grassroots outreach campaign and in-theater event planning for BLANK CITY. Taking a multifaceted approach, we aim to cover ground from wild-flyering to hosted screenings and everything in between. By locating and partnering with film enthusiasts, artists, musicians and students who inspired and were inspired by the no wave filmmaking movement of NYC in the 70′s and 80′s, we will help raise awareness about the film and find the core audience to help spread the word about the national theatrical roll out.