At the height of their fame, The Monkees teamed up with Jack Nicholson to film a no-holds-barred critique of fame and perception, destroying their careers in the process. HEAD (1968) is a kaleidoscopic satire that shatters the 4th-wall to mock War, America, Hollywood, and The Monkees themselves. Film introduction by curator and film industry veteran, George Schmalz (Oscilloscope Laboratories, Metrograph Pictures, Dekanalog, and Kino Lorber).

HEAD (1968)

“In my opinion, the most punk movie ever made. An anti-establishment deconstruction of the film medium made by the band whose music purportedly outsold The Beatles and Rolling Stones the year this was released. The Monkees (and Bob Rafelson and Jack Nicholson) blow up their fame and fanbase after the end of their TV show, and ride off into the sunset… In a series of vignettes and musical interludes The Monkees traipse through various film genres, backlots, and extended non sequiturs as they are nominally pursued and eventually caught by the movies’ big bad (Victure Mature). Keep an eye out for Dennis Hopper, Annette Funicello, Frank Zappa, Sonny Liston, Timothy Carey, Toni Basil, Teri Garr, and Nicholson himself.” -Curator George Schmalz

George Schmalz Bio

A film industry veteran of over 20 years, George Schmalz has worked in production (Kovarova, Wormwood Films); exhibition (Landmark Theatres); streaming (Sundance Now, Shudder); crowdfunding (Kickstarter); crowd engagement (Gathr); programming (the dearly departed Brooklyn Rod & Gun Club); and distribution (Oscilloscope Laboratories, Metrograph Pictures, Dekanalog, and now – Kino Lorber).

CRITICAL ACCLAIM:

“Without particularly meaning to be, and without resorting to cliches about acid or flower power, Head is an almost perfect snapshot of the state of the counter-culture in 1968. Angry, questioning, willing to tear down the old niceties to make way for something more complicated, sitting uneasily in the doorway to a darker world.”-NPR

“In their first and only film, The Monkees aimed to break out of their made-for-TV personas and ended up calling the entirety of reality into question.” -Split Tooth Media

“One of the weirdest and best rock movies ever made, and a harbinger of the so-called New Hollywood. Quentin Tarantino and Edgar Wright are both fans. DJ Shadow and Saint Etienne have sampled its dialogue. According to director Bob Rafelson, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones both requested private screenings, while Thomas Pynchon attended a screening disguised as a plumber.”-The Guardian

A note about seating in The Backlot Cinema: We encourage our guests to come as if to a picnic – so please bring your own blankets, cushions or folding chairs – you want to be comfortable so bring all the coziness you need! Restrooms provided. In the case of rain or low temperature this event will be moved indoors into our Sanctuary.