• UNTIL THE LIGHT TAKES US

      Mon 30 Nov 8.00pm

      Sallis Benney Theatre

      DIRECTORS: Aaron Aites and Audrey Ewell. With: Varg Vikernes, Fenriz, Hellhammer. USA 2009.

      UNTIL THE LIGHT TAKE US

      Intrigued by the dark, bloody notoriety of Norwegian Black Metal and its severe, atmospheric sound, filmmakers Aaron Aites and Audrey Ewell journeyed to Norway to interview a handful of renowned figures of the movement – Varg “Count Grishnackh” Vikernes (of the band Burzum), Gylve “Fenriz” Nagell (of Darkthrone) and Jan Axel “Hellhammer” Blomberg, among others. In an effort to escape the commodification of death metal, the creators of black metal were cultivating a brutal, ugly, raw sound that possessed a truth for them they hoped could not be commercialised. However, it soon became associated with the arson of some of Norway’s oldest churches, grave desecration, satanic rituals and shocking violence. In 1993, Varg Vikernes was convicted for church-burning and the murder of his band mate, Øystein Aarseth. The media frenzy and the grizzly speculations inspired escalating waves of violence from other young men around the country – with the Norwegian black metal movement rapidly becoming associated with Satanism, nationalism and Neo-nazis. Now the subject of many artists and photographers, including Harmony Korine, this is a fascinating exploration into the people and ideas behind the anti-social compositions, and violent behaviour.

    • OIL CITY CONFIDENTIAL (15)

      Fri 4 Dec 6.30pm

      Duke of York’s Picturehouse

      DIRECTOR: Julien Temple. UK 2009. 106 mins.

      Oil City Confidential

      Julien Temple’s rock documentary makes the case for the often overlooked but ultimate pub-rock band Dr Feelgood as the pre-cursor of the DIY punk scene that exploded in the late 70s. The ensemble of four guys with guitars and a drum kit turning out short bursts of perfect rock songs was a timely antidote to the lengthy prog-rock anthems of the time, and as such, according to Temple, they were the “John-the-baptists to Johnny Rotten’s anti-Christ’. Featuring some enlightening interviews with Dr Feelgood band members and contemporaries OIL CITY CONFIDENTIAL paints a picture of the band’s inception on Canvey Island and their roots on the  ‘Themes Delta’.

      Q&A:  Director Julien Temple will take part in a Q&A session following the screening of the film.