Rating: R
Genre:
Drama
Release Date: 01/16/2007
Dubbed: English
Sound: DD1/DD2
Run Time: 83 Minutes
Flags: Mild Violence, Adult Situations, Questionable for Children, Adult Language
Distributor/Studio: Criterion
In this semi-improvised look at life along the edges of L.A.'s rock scene,
Chris D. (real name
Chris Desjardins, leader of the L.A. punk band
The Flesh Eaters) plays Jeff, a singer/songwriter who has suddenly gone missing. Two of his friends, bandmate Dean (
John Doe, from the group X) and faithful roadie Chris (
Chris Shearer), seem anxious to get in touch with him, and with good reason: Jeff and his band were stiffed by a club owner on payment for a recent gig, so they broke into the club's safe and took off with the loot. Now Jeff and the money have vanished, and Dean and Chris are torn between their concern for their friend's safety and their need to get their hands on the cash. Meanwhile, Jeff wanders aimlessly in Mexico, seemingly content after cutting himself off from the turmoil of his life in Los Angeles.
Border Radio features members of several important California punk and roots bands in significant roles, including
Dave Alvin of
The Blasters and
Texacala Jones of
Tex and the Horseheads;
Green on Red are shown playing a club date and
The Lazy Cowgirls are featured on the soundtrack. Co-directors
Allison Anders,
Dean Lent, and
Kurt Voss were UCLA film students who met while working on the crew of
Wim Wenders's
Paris, Texas;
Anders went on to make several notable features, including
Gas Food Lodging and
Grace of My Heart.
~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
