Rebellious (1995)

Late stuntman Bernhard Pock wrote, directed, and starred in this gritty modern-day fairy tale about a biker poet on a journey of self-discovery. Pock is Jeremy, a lone wolf who takes on a traveling companion when he happens on a young kidnapped girl. Together the duo crosses the country, meeting an oddball menagerie of characters along the way.

Overview
"Rebellious" (likewise known as "Rebellious Jukebox") is a 1995 movie directed by Scott P. Harris. The film intertwines the themes of disobedience, youth culture, music, and the challenges of social standards. It was filmed over a period of 3 years and showcases the underrepresented youth culture in the small-town Midwestern USA.

Setting and Plot
The movie is set in a small Midwestern town and showcases the daily life of its youth, their hangouts, the regional music scene, and how they rebel versus the conventional societal norms. It integrates elements of documentary and fiction, blurring the lines of storytelling, not unlike the lives of its characters who push versus the standards in their special methods.

Characters and Themes
The main characters make up a group of rebellious teenagers that represent various aspects of the youth culture. The movie represents their lives realistically, with no gloss or romanticization. Characters consist of a teenage artist fighting with her identity, a musician chasing after his dreams, and a group of misinterpreted punks who simply wish to reveal themselves through their loud, disorderly music.

Several popular styles echo throughout the film - rebellion, identity, music, and flexibility. It is a clear reflection of the counterculture and the punk rock scene widespread in small-town Midwest throughout the 1990s. Each character embodies an unique act of disobedience, whether it be towards society, their families, or themselves. Amidst the raw energy, angst, and the cheeriness of a village, their specific missions for identity and freedom from societal limitations form the essence of the movie.

Design and Reception
Directed by a jukebox that acts as a metaphor for the characters' defiance, the film's story unfolds with a mix of direct documentary interviews, cinema verite techniques, and composed scenes to carve out its own special storytelling style. Punk music forms the film's bedrock, showing the rebellious spirit of the protagonists and completely matching the story's raw, gritty aesthetic.

Upon release, "Rebellious" was admired for its authentic representation of small-town youth culture and rebellion. Critics applauded its unique style-- a blend of documentary and fiction that led to a sincere and impacting cinematic experience. Its unapologetic portrayal of youth and the punk culture carved a specific niche for itself in indie cinema. The efficiencies throughout the board were commonly appreciated for their credibility and emotion, contributing significantly to the impact of the story.

Conclusion
In essence, "Rebellious" is an unruly and sincere representation of youth, rebellion, and the punk rock scene of the Midwestern town context in the 1990s. By successfully blurring the lines in between documentary and fiction, it records the raw spirit and the uncompromising quest for identity and liberty among the youth in small-town America. A powerful exploration of societal standards, rebellion, and the unyielding spirit of the young, "Rebellious" provides an intimate look into a specific youth culture that resonates even beyond its particular time and location.

Top Cast

  • Bernie Pock (small)
    Bernie Pock
    Jeremy Duff
  • Amber Tamblyn (small)
    Amber Tamblyn
    Deb
  • Nancy Kwan (small)
    Nancy Kwan
    Joni
  • Ross Hagen (small)
    Ross Hagen
    Fred
  • Russ Tamblyn (small)
    Russ Tamblyn
    Old Guy
  • Hoke Howell
    Grocery Clerk
  • Patricia Tallman (small)
    Patricia Tallman
    Deb's Mom
  • Fred Olen Ray (small)
    Fred Olen Ray
    Ratty
  • Leonard Kelly-Young (small)
    Leonard Kelly-Young
    James
  • Tony Lorea (small)
    Tony Lorea
    Charlie
  • Nikki Fritz (small)
    Nikki Fritz
    Lake Bed Girl #1