22 April 2008

For Time Out film editor Chris Petit's Radio On regarded as a striking debut feature when released back in 1979, but has built a reputation since as a cult film, thanks in no small part to the monochrome cinematography of Martin Schäfer, assistant cameraman on many Wim Wenders films before graduating to a notable cameraman in his own right, and a superb soundtrack that includes works by David Bowie (Heroes, no less), Kraftwerk, Lene Lovich, Ian Dury, Wreckless Eric, Robert Fripp and Devo, as well as an early screen performance by Sting.

Following a young London DJ (David Beames) on the road to Bristol to investigate the mysterious death of his brother, Radio On offers a unique, compelling and even mythic vision of a late 1970s England, stalled between failed hopes of cultural and social change and the imminent upheavals of Thatcherism.

Chris Petit interested the BFI Production Board and Wim Wenders in backing his first feature despite having no previous filmmaking experience. He went on to make more films during the 80s and in recent years has worked in collaboration with psychogeographer Iain Sinclair. His most recent film was the experimental Unrequited Love (2006). Chris has also published several novels and regularly reviews books for The Guardian.

Now Radio On has been announced for a UK DVD release by the BFI for a 26th May 2008 release at the RRP of £19.99. The disc will feature a 1.85:1 anamorphic picture and the following extra features:

• New filmed interview with Chris Petit and producer Keith Griffiths;
• radio on (remix) (Petit, 1998, 24 mins): a digital video essay – with radical disruption of the original soundtrack by Wire's Bruce Gilbert;
• Original trailer;
• Illustrated 28-page booklet with contributions from Geoffrey Nowell-Smith, John Patterson, Ian Penman, Chris Petit, Sukhdev Sandhu, Jason Wood and Rudy Wurlitzer; director biography and credits.