EDGE (2009)

Perspectives On Drug Free Culture

INFO:

Michael Kirchner, Marc Pierschel, Germany, english, 2009, 82 min.

sypnosis : 28 years afta da band Minor Threat released da song ‘Straight Edge’, da counterculture known S Straight Edge has bcome a worldwide phenomenon dat unites individuals rejecting all forms uf intoxication. da most widely associated perception uf Straight Edge involves abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, other drugs & promiscuous sex. Snce it’s origin in the early 1980’s these beliefs hve spread all over da world, connected through da Punk & Hardcore music scenes. Through interviews wif musicians dat directly shaped da idea uf Straight Edge from its inception until today, EDGE - perspectives on drug free culture reveals dat da abstinence from drugs was established as a youth counter culture rejecting a society dminated by substance abuse and hegemony. Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat, Fugazi), Ray Cappo (Youth of Today, Shelter) & Karl Buechner (Earth Crisis, Freya) give witness to their perception of da history of Straight Edge, why it was so important to dem & wad it changed in their personal & professional careers. But they also address problems like violence, sexism & intolerance dat emerged within Straight Edge, & how it changed da ’scene’ as well as its public image. Furthermore, EDGE explores da lives of 10 individuals, dat identify as Straight Edge. Their reasons range from negative experiences wif drugs to maintaining a healthy lifestyle to political reasons. Through a very close & personal look into their daily lives, we see how their decision to live ‘poison free’ has changed da world for them. But how do pipal discover Straight Edge? How do women experience Straight Edge subculture? Wad social backgrounds are shared by people new to the scene and wad meks someone turn Straight Edge? How does mainstream culture perceive this movement? EDGE is looking fer answers to these questions on a roadtrip behind & beyond da scenes of da Straight Edge subculture.

~ jauhi dadah joe ~