Parallel Planes

This film pays homage to the American DIY spirit and the diversity of the US musical landscape outside the commercial music industry.

While many other music films never make it beyond hero worship, director Nicole Wegner consistently maintains eye level with her twelve interview partners : Ian MacKaye (Fugazi, Minor Threat, Dischord Rec.), Jamie Stewart (Xiu Xiu), Michael Gira (Swans), Alap Momin (Dälek) Otto von Schirach, Greg Saunier (Deerhoof), Weasel Walter (The Flying Luttenbachers, Cellular Chaos), Jenny Hoyston (Erase Errata), Anna Barie (i.a. These Are Powers), Mick Barr (i.a. Orthrelm), Justin Pearson (u.a. The Locust, Three One G Rec.), Valentine Falcon (Get Hustle).

What they all have in common is that they couldn’t care less about marketing strategies and target group orientation as they gleefully hack the music industry and play by their own rules. Though the film shows extremely diverse musical styles, there is a general agreement to see the DIY idea as the most important legacy of punk and the starting point of self-empowerment and resistance.