Lydia Lunch

Filmography


Filmography: a chronological overview of all films/movies and promo clips
with contributions/appearances by the American artist Lydia Lunch. 


Films/Movies

Punking Out PUNKING OUT by Ric Shore, Maggi Carson and Juliusz Kossakowski (1978)

Info: Shot in spring 1977. Documents the punk rock scene @ CBGB's, New York City and the lifestyle that revolves around this scene. Presents a look at the attitudes and motivations behind the movement through interviews with outspoken club-goers and band members. Starring the Dead Boys (Stiv Bators and Cheetah Chrome), Richard Hell, Hilly Kristal (CBGB's owner), James Chance, Lydia Lunch, The Ramones (Dee Dee, Joey and Johnny) and Helen Wheels. Includes a short interview with Lydia (complete with feathered hair and only 17 years old) which goes like: LL: "I'm here to see the Dead Boys" -"Why?"- LL: "Because they're great fucks!" -"How do you know?"- LL: "Because I fucked them!". The Dead Boys named "I Need Lunch" after her. Directed, edited and produced by Ric Shore, Maggi Carson and Juliusz Kossakowski. Filmed by Ric Shore.

Notes: 16mm. 25 mins. Black and white. Commercially available. Lydia's first appearance in a film.

Lydia's role: Appearing/interviewed.

Still: Screen capture.


Rome '78 ROME '78 by James Nares (1978)

Info: A low rent costume drama starring David McDermott as Caligula, Eric Mitchell, Lydia Lunch, and Anya Phillips as the Queen of Sheba. Also performing are John Lurie, James Chance [The Contortions], Bradley Field [Teenage Jesus & The Jerks]. Filming started in the summer of 1978 and lasted 3-4 months. Shot in color Super-8, this is a spicy pic, acclaimed a classic of the "New Cinema" of underground filmmakers at the time.
(Britsh born) James Nares [formerly in The Contortions] was one of the initial members of Colab, an alternative project/space in the East Village. Other Colab members were Diego Cortez, Michael McLard, Alan Moore, James Nares, Charlie Ahern and Robin Winters. "Rome '78" is an ironic remake of the spectacle film ("I Claudius" in particular). The Super-8 film has been transferred to DVD in the meantime and is regularly showing at "No Wave Cinema" festivals/ exhibitions around the world.

Notes: Super-8. 90 mins colour. Commercially available.

Lydia's role: Acting.

Still: Screen capture.


Guerrilere Talks GUERRILERE TALKS by Vivienne Dick (1978)

Info: (Irish born) Vivienne Dick's arrival in 1975 in New York landed her in the middle of the punk era. Aged 25 and having no experience of making films, she signed up for a course and took up residence on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, right in the middle of a punk revolution. This is her first film. She uses eight (3 mins) rolls of Kodak sound Super-8 film to profile 8 woman in real time and without any editing. Each one is captured on film in a screen test to which the camera is co-conspirator rather than voyeur, reacting as opposed to recording. The subjects include o.a. Pat Place, Anya Phillips and Adele Bertei [all The Contortions], Ikue Mori [DNA] as well as Lydia Lunch. The women talk, read letters, play pinball, while the camera zooms in and out using oblique framing. Made in the second wave of New York avant-garde film, after the intense scrutiny of film by structuralist filmmakers, Dick's films use the 'every-dayness' of Super-8 with choppy hand-held shots and a home-movie style ethic, to explore the self-image and social politics of a diverse group of women in 1970s New York City.

Notes: Super-8. 24 mins colour. Commercially available.

Lydia's role: Acting.

Still: Screen capture.


She Had Her Gun All Ready SHE HAD HER GUN ALL READY by Vivienne Dick (1978)

Info: Vivienne Dick's second film has at its centre two of the subjects of her first film, "Guerillere Talks", Pat Place and Lydia Lunch. Moving from a kitchen on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the film explores the dynamic between a complacent, almost catatonic/zombified Pat Place and the demonic, aggressive Lydia Lunch (repeating "What are you going to do?" over and over), ending with a showdown (i.e. Pat strangling Lydia) at the rollercoaster on Coney Island. The film utilises a linear narrative which is counterbalanced by an impressionistic view of New York, lit by green fluorescent lights, with intermittent effects added in-camera by Dick, including red filters and 'earthquakes'. The relationship between the two women is ambiguous, they may represent elements of a single identity or the influence of a stronger will over a weaker character. It is the dynamic between these two unequal forces which propels the narrative. Premiered @ Max's Kansas City, New York in September 1978.

Notes: Super-8. 27 mins colour. Commercially available.

Lydia's role: Acting.

Still: Screen capture.


Black Box BLACK BOX by Scott B. and Beth B. (1978)

Info: Inspired by an Amnesty International report on a device manufactured in Texas for use by totalitarian regimes, the film tells the story of an 'innocent youth' who is without rational explanation kidnapped, flogged and stuck inside "the refrigerator", a 5-by-5 cube lined with sheet metal and containing heating and cooling elements and wired for screeching sound. The black box was manufactured by the B's with a grant from the National Endowment and then employed as their central prop. Lydia Lunch plays an unnamed torturer. Bob Mason plays the victim. Directed by Scott B and Beth B (aka Beth Billingsly).

Notes: Super-8. 25 mins colour. Commercially available.

Lydia's role: Acting.

Still: Screen capture.

Poster: Poster courtesy of Tom Garretson. Taken from the wall @ Max's Kansas City, New York 1978.


Alien Portrait ALIEN PORTRAIT by Michael McClard (1979)

Info: Filmed @ CBGB's, New York City at a Teenage Jesus & The Jerks concert on 13-Jan-78. The film shows the band members' heads in slow motion over a live concert soundtrack. Michael McLard was at the time Colab member, painter, film maker and illustrator.

Notes: Super-8. 8 mins colour. Commercially available.

Lydia's role: Appearing.

Still: Screen capture.


Beauty Becomes The Beast BEAUTY BECOMES THE BEAST by Vivienne Dick (1979)

Info: Using fragmented images of women and a central performance from Lydia Lunch as both a tormented five year old and a troubled teenager, this film looks at the mother and daughter relationship and examines the cyclical relationship between the two. Opening with a blast from Teenage Jesus and the Jerks ("Baby Doll") the film trails Lydia as she runs away from home having fallen out with her mother, taking with her a battered, bald rubber doll to whom she plays mother. The film cuts between images of women on TV, Lucille Ball, along with posters and adverts on the street, a woman in her kitchen, as well as members of the punk scene such as Adele Bertei. These images of patriarchical culture contrast with those of the sexually precocious 'child-girl', tormented by demons commanding her to 'be dirty', who oscillates between being a child crying for her mother and adopting a position of maternity in relation to her doll. Also starring: Janet Stein, Mark Mood, Lizzie Mercier, Liz Swope, Klaus Nomi.

Notes: Super-8. 41 mins colour. Commercially available. The film was screened on 13-Aug-79 @ Max's Kansas City, New York City. The film includes an otherwise unreleased version of "Gloomy Sunday" (Lydia: vocals, James Chance: sax).

Lydia's role: Acting.

Still: Screen capture.


THE OFFENDERS by Scott B. and Beth B. (1980)

Info: A "punk melodrama," originally shown in an 7-week serial (14 parts) screening @ Max's Kansas City , New York City (Tuesdays 17-April/29-May 1979) whereby each week the attendees paid for the making of next week's episodes. there were 2 screenings per night. The home-made saga begins when Young Turks abduct a truly bad and out-of-control daughter (Adele Bertei) and her clueless Professional Dad (Bill Rice [who died on 23-Jan-06]). A raucous satire of the teenager-leaves-home genre. The B's call the film "a savage satire on society's distortions," and its cliff-hanger format suits their sensibility perfectly. It's as though the film's sinister conspiracies, femme gangs, and punk bank-robbers were just a part of the daily round of life in Lower Manhattan. Also starring: Pat Place, John Lurie, Bradley Field, Lydia Lunch, Diego Cortez, Judy Nylon, and many more..

Notes: Super-8. 110 mins colour. Not commercially available. Ad for Max's screenings taken from East Village Eye May 1979. The film was also screened @ The Film Forum on 06-Mar-80.

Lydia's role: Acting.


LYDIA LUNCH & HARBINGER by John Porter (1980)

Info: John Porter has been a filmmaker, performer, photographer and writer in Toronto since 1968. Often called “the king of Super-8 film”, he has made over 300 films, mostly Super-8's. In this short film Lydia is filmed live (with Eight Eyed Spy) @ The Edge, Toronto in 15-Mar-80. The footage turned out too underexposed to be used properly.

Notes: Super-8 silent. 1-3 mins. Not commercially available.

Lydia's role: Appearing.


Liberty's Booty LIBERTY'S BOOTY by Vivienne Dick (1980)

Info: Vivienne Dick's last film in her New York period (1977-1982) draws a parallel between prostitution and the desire for success so prevalent in American culture. As in her previous films, Dick uses the camera as participant, so that the film is neither commentary nor indictment but rather all the more unsettling for its frank exploration of white middle-class prostitution. The film is unsentimental in its depiction of prostitution, showing the relationships between the Madam and the call-girls, who speak frankly about their lives. Cultural references to the 1960s are made through the use of rock anthems, whilst the ultimate all-American girl – the Statue of Liberty – is seen performing a striptease. Lydia's part in this film is not known and most uncertain.

Notes: Super-8. 47 mins colour. Not commercially available.

Lydia's role: Unknown/most uncertain.

Still: Screen capture.


Vortex VORTEX by Scott B. and Beth B. (Oct-82)

Info: This film, shot in 1981 on 16mm with a tiny budget ($70,000), was an attempt of bringing film noir stylings to independent film. The storyline works around a plot of corporate warfare and defense contract corruption uncovered by private detective Angel Powers (played by Lydia Lunch), who is investigating the death of a crooked Congressman. The other characters include a Mr. Big (Bill Rice [who died on 23-Jan-06]), an invalid in a hospital dressing gown; Mr. Big's chauffeur (James Russo), who swears a lot and runs the multinational corporation for Mr. Big, Ann Magnuson plus assorted business creeps, junkies, hangers-on and a midget bartender who doubles as a hit man.

Notes: 16mm. 90 mins colour. Commercially available. Shown @ the New York film festival on 01-Oct-82. Also screened @ Maxwell's, Hoboken on 25-Mar-83.

Lydia's role: Acting.

Still: Screen capture.


The Wild World Of Lydia Lunch THE WILD WORLD OF LYDIA LUNCH by Nick Zedd (1983)

Info: Filmed in London and at the same place (and time) in Connemara (Ireland) where Vivienne Dick's "Like Dawn To Dusk" was filmed during May/Jun-83. It shows Lydia wandering around in the streets of London, in the parks, pushing kids on a swing, chasing sheep down a hill in Ireland. The audio is taken from a tape-letter that Lydia sent to (by then her ex-lover) Nick after he returned from the UK to the US and with music ("Dance Of The Dead Children") off the 13.13 album. Shot on thirteen rolls film Nick Zedd stole at the airport, of which five rolls were stolen from Zedd too.

Notes: Super-8. 28 mins colour. Commercially available. The film premiered @ the Dancetaria , New York City on 15-Nov-83. Nick Zedd got $2,000 for that screening.

Lydia's role: Appearing.

Still: Screen capture.


Like Dawn To Dusk LIKE DAWN TO DUSK by Vivienne Dick (1983)

Info: Lydia Lunch filmed in Connemara (Ireland during May/Jun 1983) on the difficulties of relationship. Voice and soundtrack by Lydia Lunch. The opening shots of a decaying 'Big House' bearing the scorch marks of a fire, are accompanied by an off-key piano (from "Dance Of The Dead Children" off the 13.13 album). The house is abandoned but for the figure of Lydia Lunch, wearing her signature New York 'Goth' make-up and clothes. Lunch delivers a poetic monologue, both on screen and in voice-over, over a traditional soundtrack and her final words emphasize the circularity of Irish narratives: 'the past never dies, it just continually repeats itself'.

Notes: Super-8. 6 mins colour. Commercially available.

Lydia's role: Acting/co-wrote/music.

Still: Screen capture.


WHERE ARE YOU GOING? by Lydia Lunch and Henry Rollins (1983)

Info: An erotic film written with Henry Rollins (also starring) which also features Exene Cervenka. Submitted to the Los Angeles, Institute of Contemporary Arts Erotic film festival, but rejected.

Notes: Video film. Not commercially available.

Lydia's role: Acting/Wrote.


SCHOOL OF SHAME by Nick Zedd (1984)

Info: The film starts off with an eight minute concert sequence shot in the summer of ´84 at a club called 8 BC in NYC. The band consists of Lydia Lunch, Pat Place and Connie Burg all playing guitars onstage, shot from skewed diagonal angles. Then a series of shots taken off the TV. Then two films Zedd made in 1976 or ´77 when he lived in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Also included is also an interview with Donna Death, Richard Hell and Brenda Bergman on The Joe Franklin TV show in 1983.

Notes: Super-8. 30 mins. Not commercially available. The film premiered @ Darinka, New York City in Dec-84.

Lydia's role: Appearing.


The Right Side Of My Brain THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY BRAIN by Richard Kern (1984)

Info: Lydia Lunch and Jim G.Thirlwell had met Richard Kern @ the Pyramid Club during May 1984. "The Right Side.." was filmed upstate New York during Aug-84. A psycho-sexual drama of one poor unfortunate girl, featuring Lydia Lunch, Clint Ruin (aka Jim G.Thirlwell), Henry Rollins, Norman Westberg, Brian Moran, Sally Ven Yu Berg and others. Written by Lydia Lunch and Richard Kern. Music by Lydia Lunch & Lucy Hamilton (aka China/Connie Berg) recorded in NYC between Aug/Oct-84. Produced and directed by Richard Kern.

Notes: Super-8. 23 mins black & white. Commercially available. Soundtrack available on the "Drowning Of Lucy Hamilton" album. The film premiered @ The Kitchen in Soho,New York City in 1985. Later screened @ EZTV Gallery, West Hollywood on 28-Jun-85 and 05-Jul-85.

Lydia's role: Acting/wrote.

Still: Screen capture.


Submit To Me SUBMIT TO ME by Richard Kern (1985)

Info: Consists of a variety of fast-paced sequences depicting acts of sex, murder and suicide, featuring Lydia Lunch, Clint Ruin (aka Jim G.Thirlwell), Tom Turner, Audrey Rose and others. Music by the Butthole Surfers. Written, produced and directed by Richard Kern.

Notes: Super-8. 12 mins (originally 45 mins) colour. Commercially available. The film was screened during the joint Foetus/Lunch US tour of Mar-86.

Lydia's role: Appearing.

Still: Screen capture.


Fingered FINGERED by Richard Kern (1986)

Info: Filmed in Topanga Canyon,Los Angeles during Mar/Apr-86. The story of a phone sex worker (Lydia Lunch) who invites one of her customers ([Lydia's ex-boyfriend] Marty Nation). They drive to the sleaze-ball's house (in a Charles Manson type environment [The Snake Pit]). After that they pick up a hitchhiker (Lung Leg [aka Elizabeth Carr]) and abuse her. The film is quite close to the life Lydia had with Marty Nation when she was living with him in Los Angeles during 1980/1982. Also featuring Emilio Cubeiro and Pete Haskel. Music by Lydia Lunch, Norman Westberg [Swans] and J.G. Thirlwell [Foetus]. Written by Lydia Lunch and Richard Kern. Produced and directed by Richard Kern.

Notes: Super-8. 25 mins black & white. Commercially available. Shown @ the Paradiso, Amsterdam (NL) on 09-Sep-86 (at a joint Wiseblood/Lydia Lunch show). Screened @ The Love Club on 12-Dec-86. Also shown @ the EZTV Gallery, West Hollywood on 17-Aug-87. Screened at the Berlin film festival on 23/24-Feb-88.

Lydia's role: Acting/wrote.

Still: Screen capture.


Submit To Me Now SUBMIT TO ME NOW by Richard Kern (1987)

Info: Sequel to the "Submit To Me" film, featuring Nick Zedd, Cassandra Stark, Lydia Lunch, Audrey Rose, Kern, Clint Ruin, Lung Leg and others. Music by Thurston Moore, J.G. Thirlwell, Bewitched, Black Snakes (Richard Kern's band) and others. Written, produced and directed by Richard Kern.

Notes: Super-8. 17 mins colour. Commercially available.

Lydia's role: Appearing.

Still: Screen capture.


Mondo New York MONDO NEW YORK by Harvey Keith (1987)

Info: A young woman wanders around New York City and stumbles across a number of strange characters and settings that represent the "underground" areas of the city. She sees stand up comedy in Central Park, a prostitution auction, a voodoo ceremony, a S&M club, and a number of performance artists. A tongue-in-cheek glimpse at New York's underground. Appearances by a.o. Joe Coleman, Emilio Cubeiro, Karen Finley, Phoebe Legere, Ann Magnuson and Lydia Lunch (30 secs at start of film).

Notes: 83 mins colour. Commercially available.

Lydia's role: Appearing.

Still: Screen capture.


Put Blood In The Music PUT BLOOD IN THE MUSIC by Charles Atlas and David Donohue (1989)

Info: A TV documentary on the downtown New York music scene filmed during August 1988. In a collage of music, performance and commentary, Atlas captures the energy and pluralism that characterize this urban milieu. Featuring John Zorn, Sonic Youth, Glenn Branca, John Cale, Arto Lindsay, Lydia Lunch and many more. Aired by (UK) Channel 4's "The South Bank Show" on 12-Mar-89. Later shown by (US) Channel 13's "New Television" on 01-Apr-90.

Notes: 75 mins colour. Not commercially available.

Lydia's role: Interviewed.

Still: Screen capture.


Gang Of Souls GANG OF SOULS by Maria Beatty (1989)

Info: This tribute to the Beat Generation maps the history and future of Beat poetry. Spans three generations of alternative poets and features interviews and readings with 12 authors, including William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, Marianne Faithfull, Jim Carroll, John Giorno, Gregory Corso, Diane Diprima, Ed Sanders, Anne Waldman, Henry Rollins, Richard Hell and Lydia Lunch. Poetry and prose, with interviews by Winchester Chimes, Tom Becker, and Kathryn Simon. Filmed on location at Downtown Community Television Center, New York, 1988.

Notes: 58 mins colour. Commercially available.

Lydia's role: Interviewed/performing.

Still: Screen capture.


PSYCHOMENSTRUM - THE CASE OF THE PMS MURDERS (1989/93)

Info: Around August 1989 Lydia Lunch was in the Netherlands for 3 weeks to write the screenplay for this 35mm feature film, with some input from (illustrator) Robert Williams. Lydia said it would be like an X-rated "Roger Rabbit". Debbie Harry was to star in the film. The shootings were supposed to start in January 1990, then postponed to 1993, but to date the film has not been made.

Notes: Not (yet) made.

Lydia's role: Screenplay.


Kiss Napoleon Goodbye KISS NAPOLEON GOODBYE by Babeth Van Loo (1990)

Info: The story of Hedda, a pregnant pianist, (Lydia Lunch) and her husband Neal (Don Bajema) who's idilic and secluded life is disrupted by Jackson (Henry Rollins). Directed for Dutch TV by Babeth Van Loo (who filmed Teenage Jesus & The Jerks in New York City back in 1977). Written by Lydia Lunch & Babeth. Music by Jim G.Thirlwell. Filmed by Mike Kuchar at the Oud-Amelisweerd domain [in 1808 owned by King Napoleon], Utrecht (NL) on 12-Jul-90. At that time Lydia had just finished a spoken word tour in Europe with Henry and Don. The film premiered in The Netherlands on 21-Sep-90 and screened at the Berlin film festival on 21-Feb-91.

Notes: 36 mins colour. Commercially available.

Lydia's role: Acting/co-wrote.

Still: Screen capture.


Thanatopsis THANATOPSIS by Beth B. (1991)

Info: A chilling yet poetic vision of despairing nihilism -(literally, a "meditation on death"). In this noir-ishly rendered narrative, a woman (Lydia Lunch) negotiates the banalities of life. In her hypnotic voice-over monologue, the narrator repeats "Annie get your gun," a warning of impending doom. Producer/Director: Beth B. Text written and performed by Lydia Lunch. Concept: Stephen McHattie and Beth B..

Notes: 11 mins black/white and colour. Not commercially available.

Lydia's role: Acting/wrote text.

Still: Screen capture.


The Thunder THE THUNDER, THE PERFECT MIND by Tom Richards Murphy and Marta Ze (1992)

Info: Inspired by an ancient Gnostic text unearthed in Nag Hammadi, Egypt in 1947. Narrated by Lydia Lunch. The visuals illustrate the eternal duality ancients recognized and accepted: Darkness/Light, Fire/Water, Male/Female, War/Peace. Starring Lydia Lunch and Vanessa Skantze. Marta Ze was born in Bogotá Colombia, raised in New York and New Orleans. Most likely filmed in New Orleans during 1992.

Notes: Black/white. Filmed with a Fisher Price Pixelvision toy video camera. Not commercially available. First prize @ the Louisiana Film & Video Shorts festival 1992.

Lydia's role: Acting/narrating.

Still: Screen capture.


No Age, New York NO AGE, NEW YORK by Nick Abrahams and Ana Cory-Right (1993)

Info: A TV documentary on the underground New York film scene made during Spring 1993. A scattershot documentary about punk rock film makers in New York, with contributions filmed at the Film Work Group from Beth B, Chriss Kraus, Richard Kern, Johny Lanz, Lydia Lunch, Henry Rollins, Alyce Wittenstein, Nick Zedd, and many others. Influenced by the DIY aesthetic of fanzines of the time, this is a love letter to the New York film underground.

Notes: 49 mins colour. Not commercially available.

Lydia's role: Interviewed.

Still: Screen capture.


POWER OF THE WORD by Jeanne Harco (1995)

Info: Featuring Jello Biafra, Lydia Lunch, Exene Cervenka, members of Public Enemy and others.

Notes: Not commercially available. The audio of Lydia's live spoken word contribution "Why We Murder" is available on the V/A: "Home Alive" compilation 2CD (1996). Jeanne Harco is living in Vancouver, Canada.

Lydia's role: Appearing.

Still: Screen capture.


Visiting Desire

Visiting Desire poster
VISITING DESIRE by Beth B. (1996)

Info: Beth B. has assembled twelve strangers to act out fantasies in a bedroom. One person sits, waiting on a bed -- The Sitter. Another person enters -- The Visitor. They introduce themselves: a combination of excitement, fear and anticipation are palpable as The Visitor tries to act out a (sexual/intimate) fantasy of their choice with The Sitter. The Sitter is not privy beforehand to the specific fantasy of The Visitor. The ensuing footage was edited into 14 titled segments such as "Aggression", "Flirtation", "Loss of Innocence", "Trust", "Control" and "Vulnerability" that follow the group from their introduction through several major conflicts. By far the most gregarious and outspoken Sitter is Lydia Lunch. In her meetings with assorted visitors, Ms. Lunch reveals herself as a bisexual dominatrix and is far more candid about her erotic likes and dislikes than her visitors, who understandably seem inhibited by the camera's presence. Starring Kembra Pfahler, Lydia Lunch, Patty Powers, Chloe Dzubilo and 8 more. Music by Jim Coleman. Filmed in New York City in Apr-96. Shown @ the Toronto Film Festival, 07-Sep-96 and @ the Berlin Film Festival between 13/24-Feb-97.

Notes: Hi-8 video transferred to 16 mm. 70 mins colour. Not commercially available.

Lydia's role: Acting.

Still: Screen capture.

Poster: Scan of poster.


Daughter Of Darkness DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS by Babeth Van Loo (1998)

Info: A documentary by Babeth, which includes an 1998 interview (conducted in the Netherlands), Matrikamantra live @ the Virus festival in Eindhoven (NL) on 07-Jun-98 and spoken word -"Paradoxia-" live in the Netherlands on 2x-Nov-97).

Notes: 50 mins colour. Commercially available.

Lydia's role: Interviewed/performing.

Still: Screen capture.


Shadow Hours SHADOW HOURS by Isaac H. Eaton (2000)

Info: Controversial suspense/drama about a well-meaning ex-addict (Balthazar Getty) being pulled into a seamy L.A. underworld of S&M sex, murder, and hard drugs after he meets a mysterious writer (Peter Weller). Lydia Lunch worked (in Los Angeles during Jul/Aug-99) as creative consultant for the S&M sex scenes.

Notes: 92 mins colour. Commercially available.

Lydia's role: Consulting.

Poster: Scan of poster.


DIY or DIE D.I.Y. OR DIE by Michael W.Dean (2002)

Info: A documentary film about how to survive as an independent artist. Interviews with Lydia Lunch, Richard Kern, Ian Mackaye, Ron Asheton, Mike Watt, J Mascis, Jim Rose, Foetus, Steve Albini, Gwar, Madigan Shive, Tribe 8, and more.. .

Notes: DV format. 55mins colour. Commercially available.

Lydia's role: Interviewed.

Still: Screen capture.


The Heart Is Deceiptful THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS by Asia Argento (2004)

Info: Adaptation of JT Leroy's short story collection. Jeremiah, a child pulled from his foster home, is thrown into a troubled life on the road with his teenage prostitute mother, Sarah (Asia Argento). With her he travels through the country roads of the U.S. and learns first hand about the troubles of the world. Soundtrack including Sonic Youth, Subhumans, Billy Corgan and Hasil Adkins. Cameo appearances by Winona Ryder and Marilyn Manson. Lydia Lunch plays the role of "Social Worker #2" and is responsible (with Marc Viaplana) for some of the still photography. Shot on location @ Knoxville, Tennessee. The film received a limited release in North American theatres on 10-Mar-06.

Notes: 92 mins colour. Commercially available.

Lydia's role: Cameo appearance/still photography.

Poster: Scan of poster.


Drowning Of River Phoenix AMERICAN FAME PT.1: THE DROWNING OF RIVER PHOENIX by Cam Archer (2004)

Info: Archer examines the short, tumultuous life of actor River Phoenix, who died from a drug overdose (in 1993, at the age of 23). The film explores the fame and pressure that defined Phoenix's (played by Jasper Bel) life, along with his desire to become pure. Lydia Lunch narrates. Premiered @ the Tribeca film festival, New York City 2004.

Notes: HD cam. 35mm. 11 mins black and white. Not commercially available.

Lydia's role: Narrating.

Still: Screen capture.


Forgetting Jonathan Brandis AMERICAN FAME PT.2: FORGETTING JONATHAN BRANDIS by Cam Archer (2005)

Info: Meditation on a doomed child actor and the curse of fame. An experimental look at the life and times of Jonathan Brandis ("SeaQuest DSV"), a former teen TV actor who committed suicide (in 2003, at the age of 27) after his career ran aground. Lydia Lunch narrates. Written, produced and directed by Cam Archer. Premiered @ the Sundance film festival in Dec-04.

Notes: 15 mins colour. Not commercially available.

Lydia's role: Narrating.

Still: Screen capture.


NYC Foetus NYC FOETUS by Clément Tuffreau (2005)

Info: Documentary on Jim G. Thirlwell made by French film maker Clément Tuffreau. Features interviews with Jim G. Thirlwell, Matt Johnson (The The), Alex Hacke (Einstürzende Neubauten), Michael Gira (Swans/Angels of Light), Vinnie Signorelli (Swans/Foetus live band), Brian Emrich (Swans/Foetus live band), Richard Kern (film maker), Martin Bisi (producer/engineer) and (long time partner) Lydia Lunch, along with a lot of never before seen footage of Foetus, Steroid Maximus, Manorexia and more.

Notes 1: Released as part of Foetus' "Limb" CD/DVD (2009).

Notes 2: 78 mins colour. Commercially available.

Lydia's role: Interviewed.

Still: Screen capture.


Wild Tigers I Have Known WILD TIGERS I HAVE KNOWN by Cam Archer (2006)

Info: A lyrical telling of the coming of age of a 13-year-old boy who learns to cope with his newfound sexuality and his unrequited love for the cool kid in school. Lydia Lunch plays a Radio DJ (but all her scenes were deleted). Shot in Santa Cruz (California,USA) in the summer of 2005. Premiered @ the Utah, Sundance film festival 19/29-Jan-06. Written, produced, edited and directed by Cam Archer. Executive producer Gus Van Sant.

Notes: 88 mins colour. Not commercially available.

Lydia's role: Acting (but scenes deleted).

Poster: Scan of poster.


Kill Your Idols KILL YOUR IDOLS by Scott A.Crary (2006)

Info: New York's art punk scene in the late '70s/early '80s and today. Suicide, Teenage Jesus & The Jerks, DNA, Sonic Youth, Swans, etc.. Recent interviews with Lydia Lunch, Jim Sclavunos, Arto Lindsay, Martin Rev, Glenn Branca, Thurston Moore, Jim G.Thirlwell etc.. and archival concert footage.

Notes: 71 mins black/white and colour. Commercially available.

Lydia's role: Appearing/interviewed.

Still: Screen capture.


Likk Your Idols LLIK YOUR IDOLS by Angélique Bosio (2007)

Info: A documentary by French film maker Angélique Bosio that depicts the underground New York film scene of the mid eighties. Under the banners of Cinema of Transgression and No Wave a bunch of artists (including Richard Kern, Lydia Lunch, Joe Coleman and Nick Zedd) briefly become the new anti-heroes of a generation. Their films and music violently attack conformity they see all around them, highlighting an erotically-charged and sardonic movement. Includes interviews of Richard Kern, Nick Zedd, Lydia Lunch, Joe Coleman, Jack Sargeant (author of the "Deathtripping: Cinema of Transgression" book), Thurston Moore, Richard Hell, Bruce Labruce, Jarboe, etc...

Notes: 75 mins black/white and colour. Lydia was interviewed in Paris in April 2006. Commercially available.

Lydia's role: Interviewed.

Still: Screen capture.


Santa Cruz Anti-Meth campaign SANTA CRUZ COUNTY: ANTI-METH CAMPAIGN by Cam Archer (2007)

Info: The Santa Cruz (California,USA) Superior Court launched a new program to help people who are addicted to methamphetamine. The public service announcement was made by Cam Archer. Lydia reads the text. The campaign started in February 2007.

Notes: 3 mins colour. Not commercially available.

Lydia's role: Narration.

Still: Screen capture.


Death of the Reel DEATH OF THE REEL by Benjamin Meade (2008)

Info: Guy Maddin (as himself) flies to Kansas City, Missouri, in a vain attempt to save cinema from the young people who have been zombified by their iPhones and iPods by watching postage stamp-sized movies on tiny screens. Lydia Lunch narrates. Produced and directed by Benjamin Meade. Premiered @ the Kansas International Film Festival Sep-2008.

Notes: 7 mins black/white. Not commercially available.

Lydia's role: Narrating.

Still: Screen capture.


Post Apocalyptic Cowgirls POST APOCALYPTIC COWGIRLS by Maria Beatty (2008)

Info: After the Third World War and global warming have transformed the planet into a desert, what remains? Two post-apocalyptic lesbian cowgirls in leather and Stetsons! Fetish sex film shot in Arizona,USA. Produced and directed by Maria Beatty.

Notes: 60 mins colour. Commercially available.

Lydia's role: Soundtrack.

Still: Screen capture.


Unfaithful UNFAITHFUL by Claude Pérès (2009)

Info: A director (Claude Pérès) and an actor (Marcel Schlutt) lock themselves up in a flat, alone, for one night, until the sunrise, to experiment their desire and get to know each other.

Notes: 103 mins colour. Filmed on DV 16/9. The film was finished in June 2009. Not (yet) commercially available.

Lydia's role: Soundtrack.

Poster: e-Poster.






Promo rock video clips

Teenage Jesus: Orphans clip TEENAGE JESUS & THE JERKS: ORPHANS (1978)

Info: Directed by Ivan Lerner (once editor of Screw magazine) in 1978.

Note: Teenage Jesus & The Jerks music accompanies video footage from (Vietnam) war, violence and destruction. Available on the "Video Hysterie" video.

Still: Screen capture.


Lydia Lunch: Gloomy Sunday clip LYDIA LUNCH: GLOOMY SUNDAY (1980)

Info: Directed by Linda Di Franco (Italian born, now living in los Angeles) in London in July 1980.

Note: 3 mins colour. Available as Quicktime clip on the enhanced re-release of the "Queen of Siam" CD (Cherry Red/Atavistic 2009).

Still: Screen capture.


13.13: Dance Of The Dead Children clip 13.13: DANCE OF THE DEAD CHILDREN (1981)

Note: 13.13 video. Available on the "Video Hysterie" video.

Still: Screen capture.


Death Valley '69 clip SONIC YOUTH: DEATH VALLEY '69 (1986)

Info: Directed by Richard Kern (with Judith Barry and Sonic Youth) in 1986. Music recorded @ Before Christ studio, Brooklyn-New York City during Sep/Dec 1984. Partly filmed in Los Angeles,Topanga Canyon during March/April 1986. Around the same time Lydia and Kern are filming their "Fingered" film in this area. The rest of the clip is a.o. using exerpts from Kern's "Submit To Me" film and live concert footage of Sonic Youth.

Note: Super 8 & video. 6 mins colour.

Still: Screen capture.


Ghosts Of Spain clip GHOSTS OF SPAIN (2009)

Info: Directed by Joseph M. Jordana. Filmed @ the destroyed city (during the Spanish Civil War of 1937) of Belchite (SP).

Note: 3 mins colour. Available on the "Forget to Breathe" CD/"Amnesia" book (Contemporanea 2009).

Still: Screen capture.



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Made by Hans (don't forget to remove the anti spam section).
Last modified 11th of November, 2009