Hated is one of the most unique films you will ever have a chance to see in your film-going life. Taking one of the most seriously committed artists to ever 'grace' the American soundscape, Philips turns out a documentary that captures not only the spirit, energy and intensity of GG Allin, but also provides a very good context for Allin's life and work.
GG was a lot of things to many different of people, but if there is one thing everyone can agree upon it's that GG was extreme.
GG was born in New Hampshire, but made a name for himself in the underground downtown NY punk scene of the early 80s. This was around the same time Sonic Youth, Swans, Cop Shoot Cop, Pussy Galore, Foetus and Lydia Lunch were making the club rounds. These were the names that influenced American underground culture for about twenty years and GG was definitely one of the most risible and visible members of this scene.
Hated is a great film in its own right, showing the obvious, early talents of Todd Philips who would later grow up to be a Hollywood director in what must seem like another life to him. This is Philips at his most acerbic and the wit he shows is great. He also treats GG with considerable tolerance and respect, which almost backfires because you see how GG tries to alienate him at every turn. Despite this smokescreen, Philips captures something genuinely human about Allin, his misery, his sadness and his frustration but also his drive to create art and to challenge a society he saw as essentially hypocritical, empty, pathologically ill and discriminiatory; elements he himself flaunted in his most angry performances.
GG had been doing shows and making albums for about ten years when this film was shot. He was no longer a young man and a life of poverty, drug abuse and vagrancy had finally begun to take its toll. A stretch in prison also deeply affected him. GG died of a heroin overdose soon after.
A lot of this doc consists of very well appropriated footage from various shows, readings and performances Allin did during this time. You can find the uncut performances from other sources and its interesting to see what Philips used and what he didn't. GG's performances were actually far more frightening and depressing than Philips shows, if you can actually believe that, but I think the clips were accurate overall.
I once had the opportunity to have drinks with Kembra Phahler of Volumptuous Horror of Karen Black fame and she told me a little bit about her friendship with Allin and made an interesting comment in that Allin's self-destruction may have had much more to do with his drug addiction than his penchant for extreme performances. A lot of people feel that had Allin lived, he would have become a country or blues artist. It's hard to think about what we missed, or what GG missed, through his early departure.
Even if you think you'll hate GG Allin, or feel this isn't for you, you should really give it a shot. A lot of people I know who hate punk were really fascinated by this entertaining doc. I've probably watched it over thirty times. Whatever your reaction I promise you'll never forget it.
Highly recommended.
PS: May God bless GG Allin and better luck to him in the next world! Live Fast. Die. GG
GG was a lot of things to many different of people, but if there is one thing everyone can agree upon it's that GG was extreme.
GG was born in New Hampshire, but made a name for himself in the underground downtown NY punk scene of the early 80s. This was around the same time Sonic Youth, Swans, Cop Shoot Cop, Pussy Galore, Foetus and Lydia Lunch were making the club rounds. These were the names that influenced American underground culture for about twenty years and GG was definitely one of the most risible and visible members of this scene.
Hated is a great film in its own right, showing the obvious, early talents of Todd Philips who would later grow up to be a Hollywood director in what must seem like another life to him. This is Philips at his most acerbic and the wit he shows is great. He also treats GG with considerable tolerance and respect, which almost backfires because you see how GG tries to alienate him at every turn. Despite this smokescreen, Philips captures something genuinely human about Allin, his misery, his sadness and his frustration but also his drive to create art and to challenge a society he saw as essentially hypocritical, empty, pathologically ill and discriminiatory; elements he himself flaunted in his most angry performances.
GG had been doing shows and making albums for about ten years when this film was shot. He was no longer a young man and a life of poverty, drug abuse and vagrancy had finally begun to take its toll. A stretch in prison also deeply affected him. GG died of a heroin overdose soon after.
A lot of this doc consists of very well appropriated footage from various shows, readings and performances Allin did during this time. You can find the uncut performances from other sources and its interesting to see what Philips used and what he didn't. GG's performances were actually far more frightening and depressing than Philips shows, if you can actually believe that, but I think the clips were accurate overall.
I once had the opportunity to have drinks with Kembra Phahler of Volumptuous Horror of Karen Black fame and she told me a little bit about her friendship with Allin and made an interesting comment in that Allin's self-destruction may have had much more to do with his drug addiction than his penchant for extreme performances. A lot of people feel that had Allin lived, he would have become a country or blues artist. It's hard to think about what we missed, or what GG missed, through his early departure.
Even if you think you'll hate GG Allin, or feel this isn't for you, you should really give it a shot. A lot of people I know who hate punk were really fascinated by this entertaining doc. I've probably watched it over thirty times. Whatever your reaction I promise you'll never forget it.
Highly recommended.
PS: May God bless GG Allin and better luck to him in the next world! Live Fast. Die. GG