Athens, GA. Inside/Out

I am so happy that this film is on DVD now. I originally saw it 17 years ago when I had first gone away to college in the South and really loved it. My interests in filmmaking were just beginning and this film was very inspiring to me for a lot of different reasons.Depending on where you are coming from, I think that "Athens, GA: Inside/Out" represents many different ideas & emotions to the person watching it. It is certainly more than just a documentary film. It is a wonderfully flippant slice of life, and now time capsule, of a collective group of artists & musicians in the South.From a filmmaking standpoint this film is really well done. It has somewhat of a "home movie" feel but the technical aspects of this production are top notch. The live performances are beautifully photographed.If you are an REM or B52's fan, that should be enough to want to own this disc. However, the treat that you are in for is all of the other insanely dynamic performers who are in the film as well. Dexter Romweber of the Flat Duo Jets & Vanessa Ellison of Pylon really steal the show.

great documentary

Good DVD copy of this movie about Athens. It’s all about the people. Can’t believe it’s been so long ago now.

I saw this movie at the local independent movie theater; I thought it was great back then. I didn't get the some feeling from watching it again, but I got to see it again and that kinda took me back, so it was well worth it. Athens, GA. is probably the last place I would ever move..................Newt, really?

Great video, if you're into alternative music. Paints an overview of Athens in the late 70's/early 80's. Features the B52's and REM as well as many lesser known or unknown bands. The significance of this music is paramount as it influenced alternative music throughout the entire country. What makes Athens bands particularly unique is their ability to co-exist without destructive competition.

Seminal. Not in a sexual way, unless it is, in which case... wait. What?

Wanted this for awhile.

Video is great, but is included with the DVD of the same name. I bought both, did not need to.

A slightly rough and ready (all the better for it) look at Athens at a time in the mid 80s when REM were just starting to ‘happen’ (and Mr Stipe still had a full head of hair ... and reveals Mike Mills’ ant detection skills!).It’s a nice candid snapshot of a few bands you will know (REM, B52s) and a lot that you probably won’t but will feel the need to check out!Very artistic in delivery as well as content, the bands play in unusual locations (REM in some sort of deserted building) and is delightfully candid in the informal interview clips (B52s without beehives in a coffee shop).There is no ‘Athens sound’. Some bands are decidedly ‘angular’ and punky (B-B-Que Killers: “we’re not Zeppelin”) and others wild unhinged and r’n’r in a White Stripes/Jon Spencer sense (Flat Duo Jets) and in most cases it seems a travesty that they weren’t bigger. As one band says “it doesn’t matter what you sound like, people will come to see you if they can dance to you”.The impression you get is that the whole town is/was one big artistic community. Poets, painters, preachers (the ‘black Kojak’) and mildly bonkers ‘spiritual visionaries’ pop up too. There are even delightful interviews with older residents (a Frank Sinatra fan!) about what they think of “this new music scene”.Watch out too for Peter Buck (in his pyjamas!) giving us a tour of his Elvis tribute bathroom or Michael Stipe tap dancing like Popeye the sailor!A friendly and slightly grainy snapshot back to a time when young ‘arty’ guitar bands were in the ascendency - “you can get away with it here” (The Kilkenny Cats).Lovely stuff.

Excellent document of the Athens scene that spawned R.E.M.