DESOLATION CENTER – Screening and Q&A with the Director at Turbina

„Hundreds of punks hit the desert. The modern music festival was born.” — New York Times

Desolation Center tells the untold story of a series of underground music and art events that took place in the California desert in the early 1980s. These illegal, DIY happenings went on to inspire major festivals such as Burning Man, Lollapalooza, and Coachella.

The film will be presented by its director and the original organizer of these events, Stuart Swezey, followed by a Q&A discussion with the audience.

Combining interviews with rare archival footage, the documentary features:
– Perry Farrell (Jane’s Addiction / Lollapalooza)
– Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth)
– Mike Watt (Minutemen)
– Blixa Bargeld (Einstürzende Neubauten)
– Curt Kirkwood (Meat Puppets)

Desolation Center is not only a document of a defining moment in cultural history, but also a reflection on pushing the boundaries of music, art, and performance.