This article isn’t for those who have only made a surface effort to get into cult documentary film and “liked” Louis Theroux on Facebook. A crash course in cult requires repeat viewings of Paris is Burning (1990) and Grey Gardens (1975). Not until you can spell 'OPULENCE' in the same strident tone as a drag ball announcer and 'STAUNCH' in the Long Island drawl of Little Edie Bouvier. Have you earned your stripes and deserve to move on to the next round? This is that next round. This documentary is about the outliers, but that’s precisely what makes it so undeniably cool. Armed with a base knowledge, graduates of the entry level programme can go on to enjoy a successful career in cult film – after consuming our Top Cult Documentaries Series.
HEAVY METAL PARKING LOT (1986)
This is a good one to start with, only clocking in at a meal-spanning 16 minutes. There are thousands of films made about the 80s, Richard Linklater’s Everybody Wants Some!! being the latest to tap into the 80s keg and suck it dry. You won’t find a more accurate portrait of the time, however, then you will by reliving a Judas Priest concert with pre-gaming teens in a Maryland parking lot. It’s like a scene plucked from Detroit Rock City (1999). A band at the height of mainstream fame mixed with diehard fans that would put Beliebers to shame, you can’t not get excited about Judas Priest watching Mullets of Hell spout praise for their idols while answering questions like “Are you fucked up?” with “Ehhhh, half and half.”
RE-POST FROM: DAZED
