SILVER

When punk rock exploded in Washington, DC, in the late 1970s, it was a mighty, intergenerational convergence of powerful music, close friendships and clear minds. Featuring breathtaking Super-8 footage filmed at some of the earliest punk shows in DC, PUNK THE CAPITAL takes us through that transformative period (1976–1983), situating DC punk and DC harDCore within the larger narratives of the music industry at that time. The film boasts electrifying performances by legendary bands like Bad Brains and Minor Threat, and others integral to the era like The Slickee Boys and Black Market Baby. An array of interviewees like H.R. and Daryl Jenifer of Bad Brains, Ian and Alec MacKaye, Henry Rollins and Cynthia Connolly of Dischord Records, among others, make for a kaleidoscopic and lyrical documentary that immerses the audience in the sounds and ideas of this celebrated music scene. Against the odds (or perhaps, understandably), punk rock took hold in Washington, DC, and grew into a movement that became a model for DIY culture around the world. A film by Paul Bishow, James June Schneider and Sam Lavine. U.S., 2019, color, 88 min. NOT RATED

No AFI Member passes accepted.

Q&As/discussions:

Nov. 9, 7:30: Madams Organ (the original one) 40th-anniversary special! Post-screening discussion/Q&A with Boyd Farrell (Black Market Baby), Anne Bonafede (Chalk Circle), Diana Quinn and more

Nov. 9, 10:00: Post-screening Q&A with filmmakers Paul Bishow, James June Schneider and Sam Lavine

Nov. 10, 6:00: Slickee Boys special! Post-screening discussion/Q&A with Slickee Boys members Martha Hull, Marshall Keith, Dan Palenski, Mark Noone and manager Steve Lorber

Nov. 10, 8:30: Post-screening discussion/Q&A with filmmakers Paul Bishow, James June Schneider and Sam Lavine on past and future projects, moderated by local filmmaker Jeff Krulik

Nov. 11, 7:00: Post-screening discussion/Q&A with Don Zientara and surprise guests on the legendary Inner Ear Studios