Film

No Fun City at the Prince Charles Tonight

Adam O Thomas | Friday 8 October, 2010 16:03

It exists everywhere. In ever town, in every city. An independent, underground subculture consisting of artists and musicians who actively strike out to claim space for themselves in an environment that seems determined to keep them at the margins. Suffice to say this breads frustration, resentment and ultimately drives people take matters into their own hands. There have always been illegal venues, places that skirt the law in favour of a good time, and this is born out of necessity and exists because, like any minority – visible or not – the needs of its people are not being met. But leave it to those members of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Brotherhood to find a way to play, even when the city they live in doesn’t want them to.

To remark that a blatant disregard for authority and rock and roll go together is not a novel observation, but in the city of Vancouver, Canada, the fractious relationship between antiquated city bylaws that bizarrely restrict the mixture of drinking, dancing and live music has for a long time been an almost farcical reality. Yet just below the majestic beauty, underneath the glass lined skyline and despite the sky high cost of living there has always been a strong and determined undercurrent of those who sought to create their own fun. Home to both one of the most expensive costs of living and the country’s most impoverished postal codes, Vancouver is perhaps unique in Canada as it exemplifies the clear and difficult divide between rich and poor, the status quo and those who shirk conventional status. Wedged between this underground horde of culture makers stands a city staff that has embraced conformity and an almost obsessive inclination to “develop” the city which has brought about a decidedly aggravated clash between those who would build a homogenised “world class city” and those who want to shake its foundations.

Enter local Vancouver filmmakers Melissa James and Kate Kroll’s documentary “No Fun City”; a fluid and timely portrait that captures and explores the cultural dichotomy that has become too common place for any one who embraces the comfort of the dark and noisy world of Vancouver’s underground punk and independent music scene. It’s a dirty look into this “world class city’s” laundry bag. And the laundry stinks. Compiling interviews and plenty of underground concert footage, the film exposes the difficulties and frustrations musicians, artists, independent club owners and promoters face when trying to channel and foster their own unique artistic vision. From idealistic developers who see opportunity in creating spaces that support local creative culture to local independent icons like punk club owner Wendy13, the film follows the struggles and plights of those dedicated to keeping the dream alive, whether it’s legal or not.

And while any city’s cultural landscape is always changing and you have the right to lament the closing of a favourite haunt or when a landmark venue shuts up shop because the lease is up or the owners have decided to move on, there remains the difficult question: what are you supposed to do when as practitioners of art and music – the cultural class – you are constantly and seemingly systematically told “you can’t do that”? The answer is: You do it any way – and any way you can. At least until you run out of steam or they run you out of town.

“No Fun City” plays at the Prince Charles Cinema tonight at 8:30pm

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