The Blank Generation

The Blank Generation (1976) is the earliest of the released DIY "home movies" of the 1970s punk rock scene in New York City. It was filmed by No Wave filmmaker Amos Poe and Patti Smith Group member Ivan Kral.
== Synopsis ==
Directors and producers Kral and Poe filmed behind-the-scenes and on- and offstage footage of punk musicians before they became icons.Digitally Obsessed - March 14, 2010Goldmine - August 21, 2009 The project stemmed from Kral's visual diary of his experiences in New York, filming bandmates and friends with a 16mm camera.
The film includes footage of Blondie, Patti Smith, The Ramones, Television, Talking Heads, New York Dolls, The Heartbreakers, The Shirts, and Robert Gordon (then with Tuff Darts). 
==Production==
The action is centered on the music scene in New York clubs including CBGB and Max's Kansas City. Film locations also include the Hotel Chelsea, The Bottom Line, and other spots in the Bowery and Lower East Side neighborhoods. Legal disputes between Poe and Kral ultimately resulted in the removal of Poe's name from the credits once Kral asserted copyright to the film years after its initial release.His Film Is a Punk Classic, but the Credits Now Roll Without Him - The New York Times
==Reception==
Dave Kehr of The Chicago Reader called the film "New wave's answer to The T.A.M.I. Show".Chicago Reader while Time Out New York put it at #89 on their list of the 100 Best NY Movies.Time Out New York
== Cast ==
* Richard Hell
* Patti Smith Group
* Television
* Ramones
* The Heartbreakers
* Talking Heads
* Blondie
* Tuff Darts
* New York Dolls
* The Shirts
Musicians featured in the film include: Clem Burke, David Byrne, Jayne County, Wayne County, Jay Dee Daugherty, Jimmy Destri, Billy Ficca, Chris Frantz, Annie Golden, Robert Gordon, Debbie Harry, Richard Hell, David Johansen, Arthur Kane, Lenny Kaye, Ivan Kral, Richard Lloyd, Walter Lure, Lizzy Mercier Descloux, Jerry Nolan, Dee Dee Ramone, Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Tommy Ramone, Jeff Salen (Tuff Darts), Fred Smith, Patti Smith, Richard Sohl, Chris Stein, Syl Sylvain, Johnny Thunders, Gary Valentine, Tom Verlaine and Tina Weymouth; as well as CBGB owner Hilly Kristal and others.
==See also==
*Rock 'n' Roll High School — 1979 film starring The Ramones
*Stop Making Sense — 1984 concert film featuring Talking Heads
*True Stories — 1986 comedy film directed by David Byrne
*Experimental film
*Jean-Luc Godard — inspiration for this film
== References ==
== External links ==
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* 
* 
*The BLANK generation Film fan page
Category:1976 films
Category:American documentary films
Category:Documentary films about punk music and musicians
Category:Black-and-white documentary films
Category:Punk films
Category:Films shot in New York City
Category:Films without speech
Category:American independent films
Category:Music of New York City
Category:1976 documentary films
Category:American black-and-white films
Category:1970s English-language films
Category:1970s American films