The Punk Syndrome is a film about Finland's most kick-ass punk rock band, Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät. The band members, Pertti, Kari, Toni and Sami, are mentally handicapped and they play their music with a lot of attitude and pride. Read more …
We follow these professional musicians on their journey from obscurity to popularity. We watch them fight, fall in love and experience strong emotions. We witness long days in the recording studio and on tour. They laugh, cry, drink and fight over who gets to sit in the front on the tour bus. Then it's time to make up and go talk to people in the audience and tell them how great their band is.
There’s nothing more anti-establishment as four disabled and fiery individuals literally sticking it to the institutions which they’ve been surrounded by, making The Punk Syndrome a unique and touching depiction of some truly passionate outsider artists.
What shines through most strongly, though, is both the sense of camaraderie and the personal benefits each band member takes from the experience. It also reinforces why punk, in its purest form, continues to be the music of choice for society’s outsiders.
A moving, honest film full of big characters, big issues (the right to a full, dignified life) and a bold heart.
Candid and compassionate. Loud, too.
As a piece of rock verite, it’s sympathetic, patchy, occasionally discomfiting, but always honest.
A very likable, relaxed film.
No masterpiece, but sensitive and extremely alive to life's amusing idiosyncrasies.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow on Sunday February 10, 2013. More info: http://www.glasgowfilm.org/theatre/