Smithereens

A vibrant time capsule of the gritty East Village and its young Eighties punk life, Smithereens earned much praise and even competed for the Palme d’or – making it one of America’s trailblazing indies before the movement kicked into high gear at the end of the decade. Wild teen Wren (Susan Berman) trades NJ for NYC, where she hopes to join what’s left of punk culture. She hangs out with fellow transplant Paul (Brad Rijn), but he’s too safe for her tastes – which run to narcissistic rockers. She finds one in Eric (punk icon Richard Hell), about to cut a record in LA. Before long, Wren plans to accompany Eric out west, but it’s clear she’s trusted the wrong person. Smithereens marked the directorial debut of Susan Siedelman, whose career includes Desperately Seeking Susan (featuring Madonna) and charming mob comedy Cookie. Here, she turns all the dyed hair, striped shirts, checkered miniskirts, and dingy street settings into a snapshot of a subculture teetering on oblivion. (American Genre Film Archive)