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The Damned: Don't You Wish That We Were Dead

Name: The Damned: Don't You Wish That We Were Dead
Director: Wes Orshoski
Released: 2015
Duration: 107 min

Representation Score

7.3/10

Good

2015

Director

Wes Orshoski

Runtime

107 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This documentary serves as a crucial historical record of the UK punk movement, capturing the essence of rebellion and the subversion of traditional authority. However, its demographic focus is limited by the historical context of the 1970s punk scene, resulting in a narrow focus on a white, Anglo-Saxon musical landscape. The film lacks explicit exploration of specific identity politics but excels in documenting the complexities of human behavior and resilience in the face of adversity.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Damned: Don't You Wish That We Were Dead have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film explores a punk environment historically tied to queer liberation but focuses on biographical history rather than explicitly addressing LGBTQ+ identities.

How does The Damned: Don't You Wish That We Were Dead portray gender?

Fair

Influential figures like Chrissie Hynde challenge the traditionally male-dominated punk scene, highlighting women's significant roles in driving the story.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Damned: Don't You Wish That We Were Dead?

Fair

The narrative centers on a predominantly white, Anglo-Saxon musical movement. Despite a global scope, the core subject matter reflects the demographics of 1970s UK punk.

How does The Damned: Don't You Wish That We Were Dead represent religion and culture?

Good

The documentary effectively portrays the band's outsider status as a form of empowerment against traditional social structures, emphasizing anti-establishment values and rebellion.

Does The Damned: Don't You Wish That We Were Dead include disability representation?

Fair

The film realistically and resiliently depicts band members' struggles with serious health issues, including cancer, without resorting to pure sentimentality.

Present on Screen

Strong portrayal of anti-establishment values and counter-cultural rebellion.
Highlights women's significant roles through the inclusion of icons like Chrissie Hynde.
Realistically depicts members facing serious health challenges without sentimentality.

Limited or Absent

Limited racial and ethnic diversity due to the specific historical subject matter.
Lacks explicit exploration of LGBTQ+ identities within the punk subculture.
Focus remains primarily on a white, Anglo-Saxon musical movement.

Official Synopsis

From Lemmy filmmaker Wes Orshoski comes the story of the long-ignored pioneers of punk: The Damned, the first U.K. punks on wax and the first to cross the Atlantic. This authorized film includes appearances from Chrissie Hynde, Mick Jones (The Clash), Lemmy and members of Pink Floyd, Black Flag, GNR, the Sex Pistols, Blondie, Buzzcocks, and more. Shot around the globe over three years, the film charts the band's complex history and infighting, as it celebrated its 35th anniversary and found its estranged former members striking out on their own anniversary tour, while still others battle cancer.

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