Punk, passion, politics and public protest collide, in this documentary depicting the fight to save rock and roll in Melbourne.
In 2010, the iconic Tote Hotel – last bastion of Melbourne’s vibrant music counterculture – was forced to close by unfair laws. Filmed over 7 years, “Persecution Blues” depicts the struggle of more than 20,000 fans – and the bands who inspire them – to preserve their history and protect their future, and puts the audience on the front line of an epic-scale culture war.
★★★★ “Raw, and at times emotional…Rockin’. ” – EMPIRE
“Persecution Blues: The Battle for the Tote not only lovingly documents a piece of Melbourne nearly lost; it morphs into a rousing illustration of how ordinary people can fight unjust, ill-founded laws and win.”- artsHub
“Impassioned and revealing, this ends up a stirring affirmation of live music and community spirit.” – FILM INK
www.persecutionblues.com
Trailer
Directed by Natalie van den Dungen
Produced by Nicole Rogers & Natalie van den Dungen
DVD Release
The DVD is out now through Madman.
Also available to rent or buy on iTunes.
Screenings
Television Premiere:
January 25th ABC2 8:30pm
(Australia wide)
World Premiere
Melbourne International Film Festival
9pm July 28 2011
Cinema Release
Cinema Nova
Lygon St, Carlton
Victoria
August 25th – September 7th
Persecution Blues on Facebook
http://www.persecutionblues.com/
Reviews
Film Ink by Cara Nash
http://www.filmink.com.au/review/persecution-blues-the-battle-for-the-tote-film/
ArtsHub by Susanna Nelson
