Synopsis
Chris Petit's cult classic
Radio On (1979), is one of the most striking feature debuts in British cinema – a haunting blend of edgy mystery story and existential road movie, crammed with eerie evocations of English landscape and weather. Stunningly photographed in monochrome by
Wim Wenders' assistant cameraman
Martin Schfer,
Radio On is driven by a startling new wave soundtrack featuring
David Bowie,
Kraftwerk,
Lene Lovich,
Ian Dury,
Wreckless Eric,
Robert Fripp and
Devo, and reveals an early screen performance by
Sting. Following a young London DJ (David Beames) on the road to Bristol to investigate the mysterious death of his brother,
Radio On offers a unique, compelling and even mythic vision of a late 1970s England, stalled between failed hopes of cultural and social change and the imminent upheavals of Thatcherism.
Previously Film Editor at
Time Out magazine,
Chris Petit interested the BFI Production Board and
Wim Wenders in backing his first feature despite having no previous filmmaking experience. He went on to make more films during the 80s and in recent years has worked in collaboration with psychogeographer
Iain Sinclair. His most recent film was
Unrequited Love (2006). Chris has also published several novels and regularly reviews books for
The Guardian.
Featuring music from
David Bowie,
Kraftwerk,
Lene Lovich,
Ian Dury,
Robert Fripp,
Wreckless Eric and
Devo.