Search - Refused: Refused Are F*cking Dead on DVD

It's dissappointing, but for a good reason.

Steven L. Day | Oakland, CA | 04/30/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"So here's the thing. The DVD is short and the story is not very satisfying. That's why I think it achieves exactly what it sets out to. It illustrates the worst fear/reality of anyone who has been a part of something wonderful that fell short of it's potential, or ended much too soon.

The band's story IS very depressing. We all wanted to see this band go so much further than they did. They still remain an extremely influential force in hardcore music despite their relatively short tenure.

The whole point of the story the documentary tells, is that sometimes things just don't work out. And it SUCKS. But hey, that's what happened. Now we just have to deal with it and move on.

Now it does have some flaws. Yes there is some artsy over dramatic shots of band members moping during some of the interviews. And the bonus footage is rather low quality. Also overpriced for the amount of content on the DVD.

But the overall story is right-on. There's no exaggeration. You feel like you're learning what really happened.

It's a shame that the truth was so unsatisfying. But such is life sometimes.

"

Needs More Context

Gorgatron | 10/31/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"From the reviews and buzz around this film it seems that far too many music fans don't really follow bands or listen to their lyrics. But, it happens.

Refused continually beat one drum: do something. We all see socio-economic systems failing, we watch capitalism promise a dream but create a useless upper class (case in point, watch "My Super Sweet 16"). I don't necessarily agree with the pure socialist angle, but that is what the band espoused. Listening to the progression of Refused releases and the production pastiche of their final testament, it's clear that Refused died because of futility. This documentary elaborates on that.

What you see is an psuedo-minimalist film describing their collapse. What this film fails to do is fill in the backstory. What was burning them out? Touring can be trying, fighting with promoters, scrounging for food, keeping spirits up... it's much harder than it sounds. Not everyone can just take the Henry Rollins (Black Flag era) path, not everyone is so insular.

The band felt they were doing something important and no one really cared. Kids came to shows, as usual in the punk world, but nothing was happening. It was like they were talking to a wall. This wall and insulation seems to be the cause of their frustration.

Posed in a different light this film urges the viewer/fan to do something with themselves. It seems that so much of the final throes were the efforts of Dennis, who slowly yells, "I'd rather be alive" (from "Fuel to Fan the Flames of Discontent") as the film fades out. It does describe the bands demise, just in terms that can only be understood in context of the bands history and message. I guess Kris thought that was self-evident, but that does not seem to be the case.

The film itself has really nice shots of some awesome songs intermixed in the documentary footage. Switching from Swedish to English constantly is a bit odd (since they all speak English they could have just left it like that)."