The Punks Are Alright
was probably my favorite documentary that we have seen so far and part of that
is probably because I found most of the music to be familiar sounding and most
enjoyable. However, I think this one demonstrated a feeling of unification
across the world best. Members from three different countries, continents even
all seemed to be parent inspirations for one another somehow. The member from
Canada was a musician that inspired Brazilian-based Blind Pigs who then were
praised by an Indonesian punk fan by the name of Dolly that had connections to
another Indonesian group by the name of Superman is Dead. Each group was
somehow intertwined into the entire motive behind what punk music is.
As far as youth communities go, the only countries that were
really focused on in these categories were Brazil and Indonesia and I can speak
from personal beliefs that I used to think Brazil was just a happy-go-lucky
tourist country and Indonesia was full of nothing but underpaid laborers and
workers, but I did know that both were third-world countries. After watching
this film, my perceptions of both places have changed dramatically; even my
opinion of punk artists as a whole as changed for the positive. In Brazil, I
had no idea how problematic the gang and drug communities can be and how
exactly they affect the youth of the area. I thought it was a really emotional
scene in which Henrike decided to visit the school he formerly taught at. The
fact that he used to be a teacher for the community teacher and a punk rocker
was such a cool fact – a hardcore punk musician and a soft-hearted aid to the
youth is not a typical combination. The children and faculty were so happy to
see him again and they praised his successes. What moved me, however, was when
he was talking about how the school was a place to only be visited during the
day due the drug dealers invading at night. He went on to speak about how the children
were subjected to be dealers themselves – taken control of because they were
young and weak but also needing money due to lack of income resources. I was
sickened when he said that during school hours, police would come by and throw
newspapers on top of another child’s body from the drug situation the night
before. I also thought how marvelous it was that Henrike was a sort of counselor
for the kids at the school. When he spoke of some of the home situations he has
heard and how he wants to help kids get through them and deal with them, I
thought that was very selfless of him; all he wanted to do was help the people
that have helped him. My original idea that this community is full of goodness
was completely shattered and I was so moved when I learned of some of the
hardships they face.
My view on the youth culture of Indonesia was barely
changed. I still think that many people have to suffer with being poor and
underpaid yet still hard-working, however, I never knew how much oppression
they had faced now that I know that the range of upper and middle class is so
vast. Jerinx and the rest of the Superman is Dead crew can only afford to
practice twice a year due to the economical state of the social classes of the
country. What also struck me as surprising was the amount of fans and audience
members at their shows; many of these people looked so young but they were all
there to simply enjoy the music and communal bonding they can experience.
In no way can I relate to the economic and cultural lives of
any of the musicians in this movie, however being a musician myself, I know how
hard it can be to earn any sort of living or respect in the music scene. People
can be very critical and easily swayed toward the negative side of things.
Carrying through with exactly what you want to do and love is something that
many and almost any musician can and will do. Another way that I can personally
relate to the artists in the movie is the attachment to musicians that have
inspired them. There are plenty of musicians that have truly inspired me that I
regularly talk to, be it for advice, permission for their advice, or even
normal everyday conversations. The personalization of musicians is something
that I think anyone interested in music should get to do. It’s one thing to
receive and autograph from your favorite singer or whatnot, but to be able to
personally connect in some way to you favorite band is something truly amazing
that everyone should have a chance to do.
When it comes to politics, religion, and other cultural influences,
I tend to be one that cannot connect as well with others, but I feel at the
same level with some of the people in the documentary. For one, neither Henrike
nor Jerinx wish to speak about any sort of religion. They both find them to be
such a controversial issue full of argument and hate. As Henrike said, “Two
things you don’t discuss, man: one is soccer, the other’s religion. Don’t
discuss that or you’ll get into a fight.” I prefer, too to always stay out of
the conversation whenever the idea of organized religion comes up because I
have a skewed view of it as a whole. I also have the same view of politics. I
am not an anarchist or one that hates all government, I just find it all complicated
and silly and choose to remove myself from anyone discussion concerning it.
With these aspects, I feel as though I was able to connect with the musicians
just as they were able to connect to each other and the people and fans that
supported them in everything they did in the film.
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