DEVO Special Screenings

DEVO

Screening to be followed by a conversation with director Chris Smith and subjects Mark Mothersbaugh, Gerald Casale and Robert Mothersbaugh.

Chris Smith’s fascinating documentary about legendary new wave provocateurs Devo will delight not only longtime “spuds” – the band’s endearing moniker for Devo-tees – but those too young to have experienced the heyday of the band’s singularly strange career. Formed in Akron, Ohio by Kent State art students Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale in the wake of the 1970 campus shootings that killed four student protestors, Devo had a vision that was rooted in sociopolitical critique from the start. Crafting quirky pop songs and committing to the bit by presenting themselves as oddball, possibly alien, outsiders, Devo in no way followed the playbook to achieve mainstream success. And yet, their synth-driven sound proved irresistible and urgent, arriving at precisely the right post-punk, new wave moment to find chart success with “Whip It” in 1980, which hit number 14 on the U.S. charts, with its accompanying video playing on heavy rotation on the then-upstart cable channel MTV. Devo were part of the ‘80s pop cultural firmament even if their record label never fully understood them or if listeners sometimes missed the social critique in the lyrics. Smith presents a wealth of rare archival performance and interview footage, making DEVO a must-see not only for the band’s many fans but also any admirer of late 20th century American absurdism. –Todd Hitchcock

Chris Smith’s projects include the Emmy®-nominated documentaries JIM & ANDY, FYRE and TIGER KING as well as the Emmy®-winning 100 FOOT WAVE. His first documentary AMERICAN MOVIE won the Grand Jury prize at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival. Other projects include OPERATION VARSITY BLUES, BAD VEGAN, “SR.,” BRANSON and WHAM!

MEMBERS & PASSHOLDERS

Screenings

October 23, 6:15 p.m.

Chinese 6

October 23, 9:15 p.m.

Chinese 6

October 23, 9:15 p.m.

Chinese 6

Details

Country: UK, USA

Year: 2024

Director: Chris Smith

Producers: Chris Smith, Danny Gabai, Anita Greenspan, Chris Holmes

Executive Producers: Mandy Chang, Stuart Souter, William Kennedy, Kathy Rivkin Daum, Charlie Cohen

Director of Photography: Chris Smith

Editor: Joey Scoma

Music: Mark Mothersbaugh

Cast/Featuring: Mark Mothersbaugh, Jerry Casale, Bob Mothersbaugh

Running Time (minutes): 94

Language: English

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