Atlantic/Photofest

Film

Can You Name These Indie ’80s Movies by Their Pictures Alone?

by Nick Lucchesi

July 15, 2015

Atlantic/Photofest

BAMcinématek’s vast “Indie 80s” program (July 17–August 27, 2015), co-presented with Cinema Conservancy, reminds us of the parallel moviemaking that was flourishing in this country at the same time that franchises were taking root. Boasting more than 60 titles, the retrospective showcases the intimate works, often made on a shoestring budget, that constitute the very best of U.S. independent cinema during its most fertile era — before “Amerindie” became almost as tarnished a term as “reboot.” Keep reading Melissa Anderson’s story on Indie 80s at BAM.

Now, can you identify the indie Eighties movie based only on its publicity image? The answer for each is on the next slide. Good luck — and no Googling!

More:Film and TV

Archive Highlights

POLITICS ARCHIVES

Al D’Amato: Hopelessly Corrupt

Senator Pothole Delivered — For Donald Trump, Manuel Noriega, Michael Milken, and Corporate Raiders

by Wayne Barrett

Originally published November 3, 1992
CRIME ARCHIVES

The Fatal Consequences of the Secret Life of John S. Knight III

“Evidence in Knight’s apartment indicated that he moved in three worlds: the world of wealth and comfort to which he was born, the creative world of artists and writers, and the underworld of teenage hustlers. He kept the worlds separate”

by Arthur Bell

Originally published January 26, 1976
FEATURE ARCHIVES

Whiny White Guys

“White men are no longer the whole against which we measure all the parts, but one more angry special interest group. Once they were 'mankind,' now they're just another niche in the endless segmentation markers and identities.”

by Richard Goldstein

Originally published March 7, 1995
FILM ARCHIVES

Who Am I to Doubt the Jedi? ‘Return of the Jedi’ Reviewed

by Andrew Sarris

Originally published May 31, 1983
CRIME ARCHIVES

The Trial of the Chicago 7: Bobby Seale Case

“Movement leaders no longer face minor penalties, misdemeanor charges, and a few worthy months in jail. Seale, said Kunstler, faces the very real likelihood of execution. 'The fun has gone out of our practice. We now face a deadening responsibility.' ”

by Jonathan Black

Originally published September 4, 1969
CULTURE ARCHIVES

Andy Warhol: A Museum of His Own

“A Coke is a Coke,” Warhol once said, “and no amount of money can get you a better Coke than the one the bum on the corner is drinking.”

by Elizabeth Hess

Originally published May 24, 1994

Atlantic/Photofest

1/27

Can you name this movie?

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USA Films/Photofest

2/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: Alphabet City (1984)

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New Yorker Films

3/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: Blood Simple (1984)

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United Film Distribution Company

4/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: Chan is Missing (1982)

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New Line/Photofest

5/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: Day of the Dead (1985)

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Artisan/Photofest

6/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: The Decline of Western Civilization Part 2: The Metal Years (1988)

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New Line Cinema/Photofest

7/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: El Norte (1983)

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Silverlight Pictures/Photofest

8/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: Evil Dead (1981)

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Samuel Goldwyn Company/Photofest

9/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: Heat and Sunlight (1987)

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Zeitgeist Films/Photofest

10/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: Hollywood Shuffle (1987)

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11/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: Let's Get Lost (1988)

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Photofest

12/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: Mala Noche (1986)

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New Line Cinema/Photofest

13/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: My Dinner with Andre (1981)

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Cinecom Pictures

14/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

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Hemdale/Photofest

15/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: Parting Glances (1986)

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Warner Bros./Photofest

16/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: River's Edge (1986)

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United Artists Classics

17/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: Roger & Me (1989)

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Miramax/Photofest

18/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: Say Amen, Somebody (1982)

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19/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)

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MGM Home Entertainment/Photofest

20/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: She's Gotta Have It (1986)

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Embassy Pictures/Photofest

21/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: Smooth Talk (1985)

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Samuel Goldwyn Company/Photofest

22/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: Spinal Tap (1984)

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Cinecom Pictures

23/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: Stranger Than Paradise (1984)

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Miramax Films

24/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: Swimming to Cambodia (1987)

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Miramax/Photofest

25/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: The Thin Blue Line (1988)

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United Artists/Photofest

26/27

Can you name this movie?

Answer to Previous Image: The Unbelievable Truth (1989)

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First Run Features

27/27

We won't even ask you to guess, it's Wild Style (1982).

Answer to Previous Image: True Love (1989)

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