Inspired by occidental trends, from the Sex Pistols to Motörhead or Depeche Mode, they have created their own sound.
The director visits local punk bands in Tongzhou, which is a popular area of Beijing for musicians and artists, and gets a look into the more official and unofficial festivals held in that area of town. He meets with punk band Demerit and girl led band S-Mud and spends time with the peaceful skinhead singer of Misandao, who is also owner of a noodle restaurant. He follows one of the most popular rock band, Second Hand Rose, at rehearsals and backstage.
After finishing the filming of this documentary, the singer of Misandao passed away of a heart attack at the age of 39 and DIY punk bar DMC and the whole area around it was demolished by the government due to urban development
Background:
Under Mao’s direction, the Chinese did not listen to Rock Music. Nevertheless, this music eventually emerged among the youth. Rocked by the Ramones or White Lies, Chinese Punk bands bloomed in the underground in every corner of China. Director Olivier Richard skipped in the backstage during S-Muds’ soundchecks, shared noodles with Lei Jun, leader of the first skinhead band, drunk beer with the young rockers and cleaned out the most frequented festivals, like the Strawberry with its 150.000 festival-goers.
Surprising musical journey as heterogeneous as China. The current musical styles linked to the rebel culture – punk, metal, electro – seem to join around the Rock Culture.
BEIJING CALLING from MODemay Entertainment on Vimeo.