Boy George & Culture Club Review: The Price of Fame | Tribeca Film Festival
"A riotously fun and unexpectedly tender film about a band that challenged the status quo of 1980s Britain and the world from its very outset."
Culture Club was one of the most iconic bands of the ‘80s.
Now, decades removed from their entrance to fame and stardom, each band member offers their perspective of the experience in a fun, dynamic, healed way.
As a teenage boy who didn’t follow the guidelines of society but had a strong support system at home, George challenged his interests, listened to his intuition, and created art with his band, which he felt passionate about.
Director Alison Ellwood does a phenomenal job of having each band member recount their time in the band, leaving room for the outlook on those experiences in the current day, and weaving in footage from the past to paint the picture of then and now all at once.
In those days, George’s sexuality was a major topic of discussion while his relationship with bandmate Jon was under wraps from the public. In fact, much of the music was about their tumultuous relationship, which makes the audience [and probably Mikey and Roy] feel like a fly on the wall in their couple’s therapy sessions.
In less than two years, Culture Club found its niche and significant mainstream success, stripping the young adults of privacy, amplifying their insecurities, and giving them access to things most people, let alone early 20-somethings, couldn’t imagine.
Boy George & Culture Club tackles the themes of fame and success, jealousy, heartbreak, losing oneself, addiction, and reclaiming oneself in just 96 exhilarating minutes.
Boy George & Culture Club, a definite must-see, had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.
I grew up with this band.