Border Radio
(1988)
R | 84 mins | Experimental, Drama | 2 September 1988
Cast:
Chris D., Luanna Anders, Chris Shearer [ More ]Directors:
Allison Anders, Dean Lent, Kurt VossWriters:
Allison Anders, Dean Lent, Kurt VossProducer:
Marcus De LeonCinematographer:
Dean LentProduction Company:
Coyote FilmsAccording to the 27 Sep 1985 LA Weekly, principal photography took seven weeks. The filmmakers had only six hours of black and white film stock, so multiple takes were luxuries. Filming began in 1983, and, according to an article in the 6 Sep 1987 LAT, took place at several sites around Los Angeles, CA, including several clubs, as well as in northern Mexico, where a lack of permits required the company to smuggle gear “into Baja California to film at a trailer park inhabited by expatriate American political radicals,” as noted in the LA Weekly. Filming also occurred at the Pickford-Fairbanks Studios, on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Formosa Avenue, in West Hollywood, CA. Several stars were performers on the Los Angeles punk rock scene, representing such groups as The Blasters, X, and The Flesheaters. While the documentary-style production began with a budget of $2,000, the Nov 1988 Box review estimated its final cost at “an unlikely $82,000,” mostly from investors who had seen an early cut of the initial footage.
The 19 Jan 2007 LAT noted that the “drawn-out” shoot, which took four years, “resulted in some continuity problems.” The most obvious was the aging of Devon Anders (“Devon Bailey”), who was five years old when filming began and nine when it ended.
The 6 Sep 1985 LA Weekly reported that a “rough cut” of the film was to be screened on 7 Sep 1985 at Melnitz Hall at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Westwood, CA. Two years later, a 13 Nov 1987 LAT item reported that the ...
According to the 27 Sep 1985 LA Weekly, principal photography took seven weeks. The filmmakers had only six hours of black and white film stock, so multiple takes were luxuries. Filming began in 1983, and, according to an article in the 6 Sep 1987 LAT, took place at several sites around Los Angeles, CA, including several clubs, as well as in northern Mexico, where a lack of permits required the company to smuggle gear “into Baja California to film at a trailer park inhabited by expatriate American political radicals,” as noted in the LA Weekly. Filming also occurred at the Pickford-Fairbanks Studios, on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Formosa Avenue, in West Hollywood, CA. Several stars were performers on the Los Angeles punk rock scene, representing such groups as The Blasters, X, and The Flesheaters. While the documentary-style production began with a budget of $2,000, the Nov 1988 Box review estimated its final cost at “an unlikely $82,000,” mostly from investors who had seen an early cut of the initial footage.
The 19 Jan 2007 LAT noted that the “drawn-out” shoot, which took four years, “resulted in some continuity problems.” The most obvious was the aging of Devon Anders (“Devon Bailey”), who was five years old when filming began and nine when it ended.
The 6 Sep 1985 LA Weekly reported that a “rough cut” of the film was to be screened on 7 Sep 1985 at Melnitz Hall at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Westwood, CA. Two years later, a 13 Nov 1987 LAT item reported that the film’s world premiere was scheduled for 14 Nov 1987 at the AFI U.S. Independents Film Festival in Los Angeles. On 2 Sep 1988, a LAHExam advertisement announced that the picture was opening in Los Angeles for a limited engagement.
Despite the 1987 copyright statement onscreen, Border Radio was not registered for copyright at the time of its release. Coyote Productions registered the film on 17 Jan 1989.
The picture marked the theatrically released feature film writing and directorial debuts of Allison Anders, Dean Lent, and Kurt Voss.
End credits state: “Additional dialogue and scenario by The Cast.” End credits acknowledge: “Many thanks to: Billy Woodbury; Peter McCarthy; Shelley Surpin; Bill Hein; Fred at Bug Music; Abdulhafiz; Mark Trilling; Robyn Jameson; Guido Chiesa; Hully Gully Rehearsal Studio; Rockaway Records.” End credits also state: “Many curses on: Those who tried to thwart us.”
In Los Angeles, California, rock musicians Jeff Bailey and Dean perform at a nightclub, but the owner, Skelley, does not pay them. With help from their roadie, Chris, they steal $1,000 from the club’s office. Later, Skelley notices his lists of drug dealers and customers are missing, and assumes Jeff, Dean, and Chris are the thieves. He orders three henchmen to hunt them down. Jeff flees to Mexico, leaving behind his wife, Luanna, and young daughter, Devon, and hides in a beachside trailer in Ensenada. Weeks later, Luanna receives a telephone call from Jeff’s record label, informing her that his royalties will not be paid until he returns to promote his new album. Visiting several of Jeff’s musician friends, Luanna learns about the theft, but Dean tells her they only took money they were owed. At Luanna’s insistence, Chris drives to Ensenada to bring her husband home, but Jeff refuses to leave his beachside retreat. Luanna decides to pay off his debt by selling her car. However, when she drives to Skelley’s studio, the owner informs her that Jeff paid his debt before he left the city. Realizing her husband left her voluntarily, Luanna drives to Ensenada with Chris and Dean to confront him, but Jeff has already abandoned the trailer and returned to Los Angeles, where his album is a success. Luanna divorces Jeff, and he leaves his band to record a solo ...
In Los Angeles, California, rock musicians Jeff Bailey and Dean perform at a nightclub, but the owner, Skelley, does not pay them. With help from their roadie, Chris, they steal $1,000 from the club’s office. Later, Skelley notices his lists of drug dealers and customers are missing, and assumes Jeff, Dean, and Chris are the thieves. He orders three henchmen to hunt them down. Jeff flees to Mexico, leaving behind his wife, Luanna, and young daughter, Devon, and hides in a beachside trailer in Ensenada. Weeks later, Luanna receives a telephone call from Jeff’s record label, informing her that his royalties will not be paid until he returns to promote his new album. Visiting several of Jeff’s musician friends, Luanna learns about the theft, but Dean tells her they only took money they were owed. At Luanna’s insistence, Chris drives to Ensenada to bring her husband home, but Jeff refuses to leave his beachside retreat. Luanna decides to pay off his debt by selling her car. However, when she drives to Skelley’s studio, the owner informs her that Jeff paid his debt before he left the city. Realizing her husband left her voluntarily, Luanna drives to Ensenada with Chris and Dean to confront him, but Jeff has already abandoned the trailer and returned to Los Angeles, where his album is a success. Luanna divorces Jeff, and he leaves his band to record a solo album.
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