Set to a near-nonstop musical beat, this oral history of landmark Dallas discotheque the Starck Club—a hotspot from 1984 to 1989—offers an exhaustively detailed look at both the building designed by French artist Philippe Starck (with an entire segment on the shape of the front doors alone) and the atmosphere, including the casual sex, the drugs, and the arrests. An hour goes by before filmmaker Joseph F. Alexandre (a former patron) even mentions music—which reinforces the notion that the Starck Club was more a place to be, an oil-and-cattle-country oasis for cosmopolitan/European culture—or extreme decadence—where magnates, politicians (George W. Bush's name crops up), drag divas, pop stars, actors, performance artists, and cheerleaders met and mingled. The drug ecstasy was big here; it was actually known as “empathy” at first (before it was declared illegal), but that label just didn't entice the customers. Ultimately the DEA cracked down, and when the venue lost its dance license, the owners cheekily responded with “no-dance nights,” featuring jump-suited “dance police” on patrol. But the end was in sight. You-had-to-be-there witnesses of the Starck's heyday wax nostalgic on the rampant cocaine use (among other forms of overindulgence), Grace Jones, and resident characters. Although chiefly a Lone Star State specialty item, Warriors of the Discotheque also delivers a distinctly alternate POV of the Reagan/Bush/J.R. Ewing era. DVD extras include audio commentary with Alexandre and editor Scott Simerly Jr., deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and a photo gallery. A strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)
Warriors of the Discotheque
(2011) 87 min. DVD: $19.95 ($14.98 w/PPR). <span class=GramE>Microcinema International (avail. from <a href="http://www.microcinema.com/">www.microcinema.com</a>). November 5, 2012
Warriors of the Discotheque
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