March 27, 2014

Penelope Spheeris

Often referred to as a “Rock ‘n Roll anthropologist”, Penelope Spheeris is an American director, producer and screenwriter.  Her first “auteur” feature project was The Decline of Western Civilization (1981), a punk-rock documentary that she wrote, produced, and directed.  The second film, The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years covers the Los Angeles heavy metal scene of 1986-1988. The third film, The Decline of Western Civilization III chronicles the gutter punk lifestyle of homeless teenagers in the late 1990s. Spheeris’ feature films include Suburbia (1984), Dudes (1987), Black Sheep (1996) and Wayne’s World (1992).

With support from Screen Arts & Cultures Sheldon Cohn Fund and the Ann Arbor Film Festival.

Get More Information