A jagged snapshot of '90s Lower East Side and a lost gem of American independent cinema, Rhythm Thief follows a brooding bootlegger of cassette tapes who sells stolen music on the sidewalks of NYC. He gets into trouble when an all-girl punk band comes after him, and catches a train to Rockaway to escape. Filmmaker Matthew Harrison made this film for just $11,000 with a terrific ensemble of local downtown characters, including Kevin Corrigan and post-punk singer Cynthia Sley, frontwoman of the Bush Tetras. It won a directing prize at Sundance in 1994 and was praised by Martin Scorsese, who called it "inventive, exciting, original." We're thrilled to present the East Coast premiere of a new restoration.
This screening is presented in partnership with Hell Gate – our favorite worker-owned news outlet about New York City. Limited free tickets for Hell Gate Supporters & Believers.
Kevin Corrigan in person. Special thanks to Kino Lorber.
Doors at 7:30pm. Screening at 8:30pm
