The Decline of western civilization

United States, 1980

Film
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Documentary filmed December 1979 through May 1980 in Los Angeles, California on the hard-core punk rock culture movement that existed at the time. Features a cross-section of some of the prominent Los Angeles bands performing live on stage at The Arena, The Fleetwood, Club 88, Hong Kong Cafe and Cherrywood Studios, including Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline, Circle Jerks, Fear, Germs, and X. Also includes some insightful interviews with members of the bands, punk fans and music industry moguls as they discuss their lives, the punk phenomenon and their philosophy on life. WARNING: Contains strong use of language and some violent scenes.

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Collection

In ACMI's collection

Credits

producer/director

Penelope Spheeris

production company

Spheeris Films

Duration

01:36:00:00

Production places
United States
Production dates
1980

Collection metadata

ACMI Identifier

319350

Language

English

Audience classification

M (15+)

Sound/audio

Sound

Colour

Colour

Holdings

VHS; Access Print (Section 1)

Wikidata

Q2335241

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If you would like to cite this item, please use the following template: {{cite web |url=https://acmi.net.au/works/95284--the-decline-of-western-civilization/ |title=The Decline of western civilization |author=Australian Centre for the Moving Image |access-date=4 May 2025 |publisher=Australian Centre for the Moving Image}}