Smithereens

One of the defining films of the independent filmmaking scene that flowered in 1980s New York, this 1982 debut feature by Susan Seidelman follows restless Jersey girl Wren (Susan Berman) as she attempts to become part of the Big Apple's art scene. With no discernable talent, she promotes herself with xeroxed flyers papered all over the city while ruthlessly using everyone in her circle of friends and acquaintances. While she attracts the attention of Paul (Brad Rijn), a nice guy from Montana who is living out of his van, she tries to attach herself to Eric (real-life punk pioneer Richard Hell), a mercenary punk rocker who is trying to raise money to get to Los Angeles. Seidelman drew from the street culture she discovered as a student from Pennsylvania at NYU for this self-financed American indie take on All About Eve, which is shot on the streets of New York—including scenes at the famed Peppermint Lounge—and energized by DIY aesthetics. Smithereens became the first American indie to compete for the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Extras include a 2004 audio commentary by Seidelman, new interviews with Seidelman and Berman, two early short films by Seidelman, and an essay by critic Rebecca Bengal. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)