Derek Jarman's "Jubilee"

Here's a real gem for those with some interest in the punk movement and who occasionally tease some apocalyptic visions of the world, and/or anarchistic desires. Jubilee was filmed in 1977, the height of the English punk scene and features up and coming artists such as a very young Adam Ant, Brian Eno as well as Siouxsie and the Banshees. Jarman has an equal eye for beauty and destruction in the film but his production standards reek of camp or of an amateur, ala some John Waters films. This actually works for the film as it's a sort of middle finger to the film establishment and viewer expectations much in the spirit of the punk movement itself. Most of his people both in front of the camera and behind were his friends, many with no film experience what so ever.

While the film is entertaining and let me just say, much more than a "punk film", it also functions as a platform for Jarman to expound on some of his philosophies. Much of the dialogue comes off more as didactic monologues and I say that lovingly. One of my favorites goes like this:

"Don't dream it, be it. ....In those days desires weren't allowed to become realities, so fantasy was substituted for them, films, books, pictures, they called it, "Art". But when your desires become reality you don't need fantasy any longer, or art."

Here's a wonderful extended review of the film. I can also recommend the documentary in the DVD extras menu.